Christian Realism and Liberation Theology: Practical Theologies in Creative Conflict

Christian Realism and Liberation Theology provides the best interpretation and critique we have of liberation theology. Equally important, however, is McCann’s interpretation of Reinhold Niebuhr. For it is McCann’s contention that Niebuhr is best appreciated as attempting to provide a form of spirituality sufficient to sustain the frustrations of political struggle. By bringing Niebuhr and liberation theology into creative contrast McCann not only illuminates the contributions and shortcomings of each but helps us better understand the issues confronting the development of an adequate Christian social ethic. This is a book that has needed writing for some time. We are in McCann’s debt. – Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics Divinity School, Duke University