Paul Tillich

Grave of Paul Johannes Tillich (1886-1965)

Tillich Park Bust

Tillich Main Works

Paul Tillich (August 20, 1886 – October 22, 1965) was a German-American theologian and philosopher who is considered one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century. Tillich's work spans across a wide range of topics, including the philosophy of religion, existentialism, and the intersection of culture and religion. His approach to theology was deeply interwoven with his philosophical inquiries, making his contributions significant to both fields.

Biography

Paul Tillich was born in Starzeddel, Prussia (now part of Poland), in 1886. He studied at several universities in Germany, including the University of Berlin, the University of Tübingen, and the University of Halle, where he received his doctorate in philosophy. Tillich served as a chaplain in the German army during World War I, an experience that deeply influenced his subsequent theological and philosophical work.

After the war, Tillich became a privatdozent at the University of Berlin. He later held professorships at the University of Marburg, the University of Dresden, and the University of Frankfurt. In 1933, after the rise of the Nazi regime, Tillich was dismissed from his position due to his outspoken criticism of Hitler. Later that year, he emigrated to the United States, where he was offered a position at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Tillich spent the rest of his career in the United States, teaching at Union Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, and the University of Chicago.

Theology and Philosophy

Tillich's theology is often described as "correlation method," a term he used to describe the relationship between faith and culture. He believed that theological questions arise out of existential questions posed by culture, and thus, theology must respond to these questions in a way that is relevant to the contemporary world. Tillich's most famous work, The Courage to Be, explores the concept of anxiety as a fundamental state of being and argues that faith is the courage to accept being despite the threat of non-being.

Another significant aspect of Tillich's work is his concept of the "God above God," a notion that seeks to reconcile the existentialist critique of the traditional concept of God with a deeper, more profound understanding of divinity. Tillich argued that the traditional image of God as a being who exists alongside other beings is inadequate. Instead, God should be understood as the ground of being itself, beyond the dichotomy of existence and non-existence.

Legacy

Tillich's influence extends beyond theology and philosophy into psychology, where his insights into the human condition have been influential in the development of existential psychology. His interdisciplinary approach has made his work relevant to a wide range of academic and practical fields.

Tillich's contributions to theology and philosophy continue to be studied and debated. His ability to engage with contemporary culture and existential questions has made his work enduringly relevant, offering insights into the nature of faith, the human condition, and the divine.

Selected Works

• The Courage to Be
• Systematic Theology (three volumes)
• Dynamics of Faith
• The Shaking of the Foundations

See Also

• Existentialism
• Philosophy of Religion
• Theology