The Theology Of Paul Tillich - 2960 Words

The 19th and early 20th century has influenced the theology of Paul Tillich. He developed his ideas as a rhetorical response to feeling of separation and existentialism, which shaped by life events. One of his most bewildering statements is recorded â€Å"God does not exist.† To most this seems that he had lost faith in God. One cannot clearly understand Tillich without understanding his ontology. Tillich s theology is also significantly influenced by larger historical events such as the first and second world wars. The Need for the Study Paul Tillich has introduced some intriguing theological thoughts. He is regarded as one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century. His regards to life and the correlation to God’s existence,†¦show more content†¦Throughout Tillich theology he sought out to setting up a systematic theology that is at the same time seemed to be apologetic. His goal was to prove that the Christian message of man’s existence, salvation and destiny in Christ was valid. It is impossible to understand Tillich’s conception of God without a prior knowledge of his ontology as a whole, since it is his ultimate position that â€Å"God is being-itself.† To attempt to understand Tillich’s conception of God with- out an understanding of his conception of being is like trying to understand the humanistic conception of God without understanding its conception of man. So we may well begin our study with a discussion of Tillich’s ontological position. Tillich holds that the core of philosophy is the ontological question, and this ontological question is logically prior to every other. He states that thought must start with being and therefore it cannot go behind it. Ontology is possible because there are concepts less universal than â€Å"being,† but more universal than the concepts that designate a particular realm of beings. Such ontological concepts have been called â€Å"principles,† â€Å"categories† or â€Å"ultimate notions†. Tillich’s analysis of these concepts is the very heart of his philosophy. These concepts, he holds, are strictly a priori. They are necessary conditions for experience itself. They are present whenever something is