Pastors to focus on four theologians in new two-art course
Two pastors will host a two-session course titled “Four Pioneers: Twentieth Century Theologians You Should Know” on Nov. 7 and 14 at Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ.
Senior pastor the Rev. Dr. John H. Danner, joined by pastor emeritus the Rev. Dr. Ran Niehoff, will examine the life and thought of Alfred North Whitehead, Dorothy Day, Reinhold Niebuhr and Howard Thurman. Identical classes will be held at the church at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. each week.
Whitehead was born and raised in the United Kingdom. Originally his work focused on mathematics, but in time he became involved in metaphysics. Referred to as the father of process philosophy, his “Process and Reality” is still considered required reading in the field.
Day began her career as a journalist but in the early part of the 20th century co-founded the Catholic Worker movement with Peter Maurin. Many of her writings focus around the theological underpinnings of the modern social justice movement. Day is known for her memoirs, including “The Long Way Home.”
Niebuhr was the most prominent member of a family of theologians. Known as much for his work in ethics as in theology, he was part of the neo-orthodox movement and a proponent of realism. His works include “The Nature and Destiny of Man” and “Moral Man and Immoral Society.”
Thurman focused much of his work on race relations and is considered an influence on Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders of the Civil Rights movement. He is also known for his poetry, including “The Work of Christmas.”
The course is free and open to the public.
For more information, call 239-472-0497 or visit www.sanibelucc.org.
Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ is at 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.