niebuhr
Proper noun: 1. Barthold Georg Niebuhr: A German historian of the 19th century, renowned for establishing a critical, scientific methodology in the study of ancient history, particularly for his seminal work on the history of Rome. 2. Reinhold Niebuhr: A highly influential 20th-century American Protestant theologian and public intellectual, known for his development of Christian realism and his writings on ethics, politics, and society.
- Barthold Georg Niebuhr:
- Modern historiography often traces its critical methods back to Niebuhr.
- Niebuhr's "History of Rome" revolutionized the study of ancient sources.
- Reinhold Niebuhr:
- The theologian Niebuhr wrote extensively on the relationship between moral man and immoral society.
- Many political thinkers cite Niebuhr for his insights on justice and power.
- Niebuhrian (adj): Pertaining to the ideas or methods of either Barthold Georg or Reinhold Niebuhr.
- The scholar applied a Niebuhrian analysis to the historical texts.
- His approach to foreign policy was deeply Niebuhrian in its realism.
- Niebuhrianism: A term sometimes used to describe the intellectual tradition or set of principles associated with Reinhold Niebuhr's thought, particularly Christian realism.
This proper noun refers specifically to two distinct historical figures: 1. Academic/Historical Context: Almost exclusively refers to Barthold Georg Niebuhr, the German historian and philologist. 2. Theological/Political Context: Almost exclusively refers to Reinhold Niebuhr, the American theologian. The context of the sentence usually makes it clear which figure is intended.
- For Barthold Georg Niebuhr: The historian, the German scholar.
- For Reinhold Niebuhr: The theologian, the ethicist, the public intellectual.
- "Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer": Although its exact authorship is debated, a famous prayer about acceptance, courage, and wisdom is widely attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr. It is a central part of his legacy.
- The group opened their meeting by reciting Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer.
- German historian noted for his critical approach to sources and for his history of Rome (1776-1831)
- United States Protestant theologian (1892-1971)