Tillich: God above "God"
Faith consists in being vitally concerned with that ultimate reality to which I give the symbolical name of God. Whoever reflects earnestly on the meaning of life is on the verge of an act of faith. — Paul Tillich
Paul Tillich was a profound theologian of the 20th century, best known for his existential approach to Christian theology. His theological framework is often described as "correlation," where he sought to bring Christian theology into dialogue with modern existential and philosophical questions. Tillich's most famous work, "Systematic Theology," outlines his method of connecting the questions and experiences of human existence with the answers and symbols provided by the Christian tradition. Central to Tillich's theology is the concept of "God above God," which signifies a God beyond traditional anthropomorphic conceptions, more aligned with the ground of being or ultimate concern.
Tillich's understanding of God is deeply existential; he describes God not as a being among others but as the "ground of being" or "being-itself." This notion avoids the pitfalls of anthropomorphism and literalism, presenting God as the foundation of all existence, the ultimate reality that gives meaning to life. For Tillich, faith is not assent to doctrines but an act of ultimate concern, where one's very being is oriented towards what he calls the "unconditional." This redefinition of faith aligns with his view that symbols, not literal interpretations, are crucial for religious language since they point beyond themselves to the ultimate.
In Tillich's theology, the human condition is characterized by estrangement, which he describes through the existential states of anxiety and meaninglessness. These states are confronted by the Christian message of salvation, which for Tillich is not just about an afterlife but about healing and fulfillment in this life. He interprets the traditional terms of sin, grace, and redemption in existential terms: sin as estrangement from one's true self, grace as the acceptance that reunites us with our essence, and redemption as the process of becoming authentic. His Christology emphasizes Jesus as the "New Being," embodying the reconciliation of the finite with the infinite, thus providing a symbol of what humanity can strive to be.
Tillich's approach to theology is also marked by his engagement with culture. He saw theology as necessarily dialogical, interacting with art, philosophy, and science. His method of correlation attempts to show how the symbols of Christianity can answer the existential questions posed by modern culture. For instance, his analysis of courage to be, in the face of non-being, reflects both existential philosophy and Christian theology, suggesting that faith itself is an act of courage against despair. This cultural engagement made Tillich's theology particularly influential among theologians who were seeking ways to make Christian faith relevant in a secular and pluralistic world.
