First published: Vol. 1, Human Nature, 1941; vol. 2, Human Destiny, 1943

Edition(s) used:The Nature and Destiny of Man: A Christian Interpretation. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 1964

Genre(s): Nonfiction

Subgenre(s): Church history; theology

Core issue(s): Faith; Protestants and Protestantism; reason; religion; scriptures

Introduction to Human Nature and Destiny

Reinhold Niebuhr's seminal work, The Nature and Destiny of Man, offers a profound exploration of human existence by tracing the evolution of human thought from ancient Greece through to modern times. Through the lens of political, religious, and philosophical movements, Niebuhr scrutinizes the perennial quest of humans to understand themselves and shape their own futures. His two-volume masterpiece, comprising Human Nature and Human Destiny, offers a deeply Christian interpretation of these enduring human concerns.

Human Nature: Reason and Transcendence

In the first volume, Human Nature, Niebuhr embarks on a journey through the annals of human history, examining the views of influential thinkers from Plato to contemporary philosophers. He delves into the dichotomy of reason and transcendence as defining characteristics of human beings. The ancient Greeks, especially Plato, envisioned humans as composites of soul, body, and spirit, endowed with reason that distinguishes them from other animals. This self-awareness allows humans not only to reflect on their own nature but also to influence history to a degree.

Niebuhr articulates how the ability to transcend earthly constraints gives humans a semblance of understanding divine nature, as God's image is inherent in human nature. This dual capacity for reason and transcendent understanding complicates the human experience, leaving individuals caught between their finite existence and their spiritual aspirations. The historical progression of thought – through the Renaissance celebration of human intellect to the Romantic valorization of nature – underscores this tension.

The Modern Conundrum

In modern times, Niebuhr observes a synthesis between Romantic ideals and Renaissance faith in reason and individuality. The current era wrestles with whether humans are the masters of their fate through rationality or are inherently bound to nature and its influences. The advances in technology and science amplify the capabilities of individuals, seemingly expanding their power while simultaneously eroding their autonomy in the face of cultural forces.

Niebuhr warns against placing excessive trust in human reason, which can lead to idolatry, while too little faith in divine guidance results in cynicism and a sense of meaninglessness. The anxiety inherent in human existence, as noted by Kierkegaard, arises from the fear of annihilation and the ceaseless struggle for survival, leading to moral and existential dilemmas.

Human Destiny: The Christian Perspective

The second volume, Human Destiny, revolves around Niebuhr's interpretation of history through a Christian lens, viewing Christ's coming as the fulcrum of divine purpose. Human destiny is intertwined with adherence to God's law, and the journey towards it involves overcoming the conflicts between self-love and altruistic love, known as agape and eros. The paradox of Christian ethics lies in the notion that true freedom is gained by submission to the divine law of love, finding oneself by losing oneself in Christ.

Christ's advent heralded a dual grace: the forgiveness of sins and the empowerment of humans to redeem themselves through love. This transformative grace is pivotal for achieving spiritual and moral fortitude to transcend sin. For Niebuhr, history is not mere chronological progress; it is a series of challenges that demand human reasoning yet require spiritual elevation beyond historical confines.

Christian faith invites individuals to embrace the paradox that true liberation comes from recognizing one's lack of freedom, and that escape from sin is achieved by releasing the spirit from egoistic demands.

Christian...