A Comparative Analysis of Reinhold Niebuhr’s Anthropology and the Seventh-Day Adventist Perspective on Human Nature: Implications for Contemporary Theological Discourse

A Comparative Analysis of Reinhold Niebuhr’s Anthropology and the Seventh-Day Adventist Perspective on Human Nature: Implications for Contemporary Theological Discourse

Solomon Kwadwo Osei

Issue: Vol.9 No.11 November 2023 Issue Article 2 pp. 547 – 554
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20239112 | Published online 24th November, 2023.
© 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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ABSTRACT

This article presented a comparative analysis of Reinhold Niebuhr’s anthropology and the Seventh-day Adventist view of human nature and aims at enriching contemporary theological discourse. Niebuhr’s theological framework acknowledges the limitations and fallibility of human beings while emphasizing their capacity for transcendence, susceptibility to sin, and openness to grace. On the other hand, the Seventh-day Adventist perspective emphasizes the holistic understanding of human nature, the restoration of the divine image, and the transformative potential through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Through a comprehensive analysis, this research explored the similarities, differences, and theological implications of these perspectives, providing valuable insights into the complexities of human existence. The paper posited a holistic understanding of human nature, acknowledging its inherent flaws and the possibility of redemption through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Significantly, the paper contributes to the ongoing exploration of anthropology, fostering a deeper understanding of human existential reality and its significance in contemporary theological discourse.

Keywords: Reinhold Niebuhr, Seventh-Day Adventists, Anthropology, Comparative Analysis, Transcendence.

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AUTHOR(S)

Solomon Kwadwo Osei, a Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist pastor, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical and Theological Studies at the Adventist University of Africa, Kenya. His academic focus centers on the intersection of religion and scholarship, rooted in a strong foundation in biblical and philosophical studies. His goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of religion, theology, and ethics, transcending disciplinary boundaries. He is dedicated to theological disciplines like Christology, Eschatology, and Christian Ethics, Anthropology, demonstrating a commitment to intellectual rigor and a biblical perspective on faith and spirituality.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Osei, Solomon Kwadwo. “A Comparative Analysis of Reinhold Niebuhr’s Anthropology and the Seventh-Day Adventist Perspective on Human Nature: Implications for Contemporary Theological Discourse, “ E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 9 no.11 (2023): 547 – 554. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20239112