Joseph Hartman, a Georgetown University professor, unpacks the life and enduring influence of 20th-century theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. They discuss Niebuhr's contributions to political theology and his engagement with contemporary moral dilemmas. The conversation also tackles the theological tensions he navigated, his complex views on human nature, and how his insights intersect with social justice and political ideologies today. Hartman emphasizes Niebuhr's relevance in understanding the ongoing struggles between democracy and totalitarianism.