Divided into five parts, each structured around a 'correlation'
Structure of Systematic Theology
Five Parts:
Reason and Revelation
Being and God
Existence and Christ
Life and Spirit
History and the Kingdom of God
Method of Correlation
Tillich's approach is distinct from traditional dogmatics
Correlation Defined: Method in terms of question and answer
Existential Questions: Address existential concerns like purpose, origin, and the meaning of life
Theological Answers:
Revelation as the answer to reason
God as the answer to being
Christ as the answer to existence
Spirit as the answer to life
Kingdom of God as the answer to history
Misinterpretations of Tillich's Method
Conservative Misunderstanding:
Perceives theology as a way to close off existential questioning
Existentialist Misunderstanding:
Believes answers are derived from existential questions
True intention: Interdependence between existential questions and theological answers
Tillich's Philosophy and Theology
Emphasizes the blending of philosophy and theology
Philosophy not just questioning, but also answering
Theology not just answering, but also questioning
Philosophy should lead to theology
Theologians should engage with philosophical questioning
Relevance and Reformulation
Relevance of Religion: Always relevant and should be continuously reformulated to engage with contemporary contexts
Key Concepts in Tillich's Theology
God as Being Itself:
God as the ultimate concern and the unconditioned
God is not a thing among things, but the ground of being
Conclusion
Tillich's systematic theology offers a dynamic approach where existential questions and theological answers are interdependent. His work encourages a continuous dialogue between philosophy and theology, maintaining religion’s relevance across different historical contexts.