Paul Tillich, a Guide for Christianity within a...

Paul Tillich, a Guide for Christianity within a Pluralistic Society Introduction In this paper I will discuss the significance of Paul Tillich’s theology within our current pluralistic society. I hope to accomplish this by specifically addressing how certain concepts within his Theology, when embraced or applied, can begin to relieve western Christianity’s concern for remaining â€Å"relevant†. I will also present some of Tillich’s theological ideas concerning his Christology, characteristics of a symbol, and concept of God as a symbol. I. The Christology of Tillich: Jesus as the Christ Tillich suggests in the article â€Å"A Reinterpretation of the Doctrine of the Incarnation† that Christians do not have a purely historiographical interest in the man known as Jesus, but a thriving interest in the Christ. He elaborates by saying the reports about Jesus of Nazareth found in the gospels are the reports of Jesus as the Christ, not just a man. Tillich finds that mere historical research cannot tear down the foundation of Christianity because there is immense power in the symbol of â€Å"Christ† (a topic later discussed in the essay). Tillich, despite what many assume, consistently presented Jesus as the Christ. It is true that Tillich wrote articles with titles such as â€Å"A Reinterpretation of the Doctrine of the Incarnation† (which shocked many Protestant leaders in the late 1940’s). However, Tillich reinterpreted Doctrine in an attempt to reveal the truths that he believed were at