MENNINGER,KARL - A CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE

This tribute primarily focuses on Karl Menninger's literary skills as a preacher. His last two books, Sparks and Whatever Became of Sin? are used as examples of what Reinhold Niebuhr called ''vital prophetic Ch ristianity.'' They clearly illustrate Dr. Menninger's homiletical styl e. These evaluations are augmented by personal conversations with him during which he strongly encouraged pastoral counselors to refocus the ir attention on the sermon as a basic resource for prevention and hope .