Tillich, Paul, Theology of Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1959. Paperback ed, 1964Pgs. 3-10. 30-39, 40-51 and 53-67.
Paul Tillich was for most of his adult life a teacher of Systematic Theology. He was a German American Christian, a philosopher and a theologian. He was born in Prussia in 1886. He died in October of 1965 in Chicago. He is highly regarded as one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century.
Paul Tillich is considered a creative philosopher and Theology of Culture is a compilation of fifteen of his works that discuss his views on how religion intersects with areas of human living such as art, education, etc., through culture. His premise is that religion and culture are not inseparable, but instead …show more content…
This chapter of Theology of Culture Tillich explores the fact that words no longer mean what they did when they were originally used and that symbols can reveals truths or represent ideas inadequately. He speaks of signs do not participate in any way in the reality of power of that to which they point whereas symbols do participate in meaning and power. A sign can be a word and therefore have a specific meaning that is not related to the word. (Pg. 55). A symbol has a representative function. The symbol stands for something has power and meaning beyond the word(s) themselves. (Pg. 56). Symbols cannot be replaced by different symbols. (Pg. 57). An example, a desk could be substituted for furniture. The symbolic God cannot be replaced by another word in its given context. (Pg. 58). Further on symbols Tillich says that symbols cannot be killed. Symbols will only die when the situation that created them passes away. (Pg. 65). In this instance, the symbols of sacrifice in the Old Testament have passed away with the symbol of Christ and the resurrection. There is a danger that a symbol will become idolatrous. The point at which the symbols elevates itself to the ultimate, a place where no doctrine or ritual belongs. Tillich claims that the cross of Christ is the symbol which Christianity claims is the symbol which is truly superior to any other symbols. He continues that “This is at the same time the criterion of all other symbol’s, and it is the criterion to which every Christian church should subject itself.” (Pg. 67). Tillich seems to want the church to be careful what they use as symbols so as not to make them idols but symbols that point to the ultimate of concerns, the ultimate
Paul Tillich was for most of his adult life a teacher of Systematic Theology. He was a German American Christian, a philosopher and a theologian. He was born in Prussia in 1886. He died in October of 1965 in Chicago. He is highly regarded as one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century.
Paul Tillich is considered a creative philosopher and Theology of Culture is a compilation of fifteen of his works that discuss his views on how religion intersects with areas of human living such as art, education, etc., through culture. His premise is that religion and culture are not inseparable, but instead …show more content…
This chapter of Theology of Culture Tillich explores the fact that words no longer mean what they did when they were originally used and that symbols can reveals truths or represent ideas inadequately. He speaks of signs do not participate in any way in the reality of power of that to which they point whereas symbols do participate in meaning and power. A sign can be a word and therefore have a specific meaning that is not related to the word. (Pg. 55). A symbol has a representative function. The symbol stands for something has power and meaning beyond the word(s) themselves. (Pg. 56). Symbols cannot be replaced by different symbols. (Pg. 57). An example, a desk could be substituted for furniture. The symbolic God cannot be replaced by another word in its given context. (Pg. 58). Further on symbols Tillich says that symbols cannot be killed. Symbols will only die when the situation that created them passes away. (Pg. 65). In this instance, the symbols of sacrifice in the Old Testament have passed away with the symbol of Christ and the resurrection. There is a danger that a symbol will become idolatrous. The point at which the symbols elevates itself to the ultimate, a place where no doctrine or ritual belongs. Tillich claims that the cross of Christ is the symbol which Christianity claims is the symbol which is truly superior to any other symbols. He continues that “This is at the same time the criterion of all other symbol’s, and it is the criterion to which every Christian church should subject itself.” (Pg. 67). Tillich seems to want the church to be careful what they use as symbols so as not to make them idols but symbols that point to the ultimate of concerns, the ultimate