Premium Essay

Paul Tillich

In:

Submitted By BustyBaboon
Words 1022
Pages 5
Critically assess the views of Paul Tillich on religious language.
(35 marks)
In this essay I am going to critically assess the views of Paul Tillich’s views on religious language. I will first start by critically assessing Paul Tillich’s theory of religious language being presented as symbols and his rejections of signs. I will then conclude and provide a short summary before moving on to views for and against his ideas, before stating my own thoughts.
Paul Tillich was a German- American theologian who believed that it is possible to speak meaningfully about metaphysical concepts and from this he came up with the theory that religious language, because it is symbolic in nature, has an overwhelming effect upon humans. Tillich argued that religious language is symbolic. This means that religious symbols communicate the most significant values and beliefs of human beings.
Tillich initially had to start his theory by making a distinction between signs and symbols. Tillich suggested that signs do not participate in what they symbolise. By this he means that signs only point to a statement and have no additional effect. For example a sign may point the way to a town centre, but that’s all it does. It doesn’t fill you with peace, hope, excitement or any other emotion. Tillich believed that symbols on the other hand are powerful as they actually take part in the power and meaning of what they symbolise. This means that symbols have more effect on a person and give meaning of the object. For example a cross symbolises Jesus’ sacrifice and the belief about God and his plan for salvation. Therefore, a symbol communicates more effectively with us. Tillich then tried to argue that religious language operates as a symbol, in the sense that the language gives a meaning to people and isn’t just words.
Symbols according to Tillich communicate something which is often hard to

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Essay 1

...theologians and film critics’ definitions of faith. Although the film does have some religious themes and content, I agree with theologian Paul Tillich and film critic Steven Greydanus that this film lacks true faith. Paul Tillich is a theologian that would find the faith in The Way controversial. In order to understand why Tillich would disagree with the faith displayed in the movie, his definition of faith must first be laid out. Paul Tillich’s definition of faith is “the state of being ultimately concerned.” To be true faith, the ultimate concern must meet three criteria. The first criteria is that it must demand total surrender. Tillich bases this criteria on Deuteronomy 6:5 which states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” In other words, the person must completely commit and give themselves up for their ultimate concern. His second criteria is that it promises total fulfillment. This means that ultimate concern promises, not guarantees, happiness, satisfaction, and purpose. Tillich’s third criteria states that if the promise is fulfilled, it will prove to be empty. This criteria explains that if the ultimate concern meets the third criteria, false faith is present. In order for a person to have true faith, there must be concerns and doubts about the ultimate concern. What Tillich is really saying is that a person’s ultimate concern must be God for it to be true...

Words: 1500 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Summary Of Art And Ultimate Reality By Paul Tillich

...In “Art and Ultimate Reality”, by Paul Tillich he talks about the concept of what ultimate reality is and how it relates to art. Tillich explains that, “Ultimate reality underlies every reality and it characterizes the whole appearing world as non-ultimate, preliminary, transitory and finite” (Tillich 219). In other words, truth underlies every truth there is making the world that we live in seem as if it’s just the beginning. He also explains how philosophers have tried to get to the surface to find “ultimate reality” only to find more deceptions and they try to dig further to find the truly real that cannot deceive us. According to Tillich there are three different ways in one can experience ultimate reality. Tillich explains two of the...

Words: 274 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Xerox

...Xerox HRM 530 April 24, 2011 Xerox Xerox was originally founded in 1906 as the Haloid Company, which later became Haloid Xerox in 1958 and finally Xerox Corporation in 1961. Xerox currently has 136,000 employees in 160 countries (www.xerox.com/about-xerox, 2011). With over 130,000 employees, human resources is vitally important to the corporation. This paper will examine how human resource professionals can ensure that top organizational leaders encourage managers and employees to follow laws and guidelines. It will also discuss how hiring women and minorities improved Xerox’s profitability. In addition, the changes that Xerox made to become a more attractive employer for women and minorities will be identified. Finally, there will be an evaluation of whether or not hiring and promoting women and minorities has been unfair to Caucasian men. Ensuring Top Organizational Leaders Encourage Managers and Employees to Follow Laws and Guidelines Human Resource professionals play a major role in ensuring that top organizational leaders encourage managers and employees to follow laws and guidelines. A human resource professional is responsible for educating those within the organization the laws and guidelines that must be followed in order to prevent any legal compliance issues that could potentially cost the organization exorbitant amounts of money. A human resource generalist is expected to be knowledgeable in all areas of the law and compliance, though it may be difficult...

Words: 1683 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Dave Early Reading Reflection

...LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders by Dave Earley A Reading Reflection A Research Paper Submitted to Dr. Gene Jeffries in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Course evan 670-b01 by August 31, 2012 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………………..1 SUMMARY OF BOOK…………………………………………………………………..1 EVALUTATION AND CRITIQUE ……………………………………………………..2 PERSONAL APPLICATION ……………………………………………………………3 CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………………..4 BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………………………..5 INTRODUCTION Prayer is the way that believers communicate with the Lord. While many view prayer as a means to: thank the Lord, ask for help, and confess their sins; prayer goes beyond that. Dave Earley explains that “The eminence of great leaders in the Bible is attributable to the fact that they were great in their praying.” In his book, Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders, Earley covers nine topics that are essential and applicable for those who are spiritual leaders. SUMMARY The nine principles that Dave Early covers are supported by leaders both from the Bible and other well-known leaders through the course of the history of Christianity. The book can be divided into two sections: developing a prayer life and developing boldness of prayer. The text can further be divided into the nine principles which are: value the power of prayer, make time to pray, pray for those you serve...

Words: 1265 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Nonverbal Communication

...Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in interpersonal communication. This is even more visible when individuals do not share a common language. Outsourced (2006), explores the journey of an American manager named Todd Anderson. His company, Seattle-based Company Western Novelty, outsources its call center to Gharapuri, India and Todd must travel to India in order to train the new staff and manager. Nonverbal communication is present throughout the movie as Todd, works through the language barrier and is introduced to a new culture, values and rituals. In this paper, nonverbal communication demonstrated in the movie is analyzed and discussed as it relates the research of Argyle (1988), Archer (1997), et al. Adler (2011) defines nonverbal communication as messages expressed through non-linguistic means. Research has shown that in communication, the verbal content only is only responsible for 7% of the message, while vocal cues such as pitch and intonation account for 38%, and facial expression an overwhelming 55% (Mehrabian, 1968). Nonverbal communication can be performed through facial expressions, proximity, and body movements. Argyle (1988) describes the five primary functions of Nonverbal Behavior – 1) Expression of Emotion, 2) Communication of Interpersonal Attitudes, 3) Accompany and Support Speech, 4) Self-Presentation, 5) Rituals. In the movie Outsourced (2006), examples of each of these functions of nonverbal behavior are observed...

Words: 1597 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Soalom Case

...Tudor Jones, $1 billion more than the client's authorized bid. After the auction, Salomon purchased $600 million of the $2.1 billion in notes awarded to Tudor Jones. In the May 22, 1991 2-year note auction, Salomon ordered $2 billion in notes for Tiger Investment, $500 million more than Tiger's authorized bid. After the auction, Salomon purchased the $500 million in extra notes from Tiger. !" !" After hearing the outside counsel's report, Chairman John Gutfreund and President Tom Strauss telephoned the S.E.C., the Treasury, and the Federal Reserve Bank on August 9, 1991 and disclosed the violations that had been uncovered. A press release on the same day announced the problem to the investing public. Senior mangers also suspended Paul Mozer, Thomas Murphy, and two trading desk employees while the violations were under investigation. At a special board meeting on August 18, 1991, Salomon Inc's board of directors called for and received the...

Words: 1676 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Case Study

...1. What were the different changes at Intel over the first three years of Barrett’s tenure? One of the changes that Intel experienced was the company was in trouble, in worst shape that it had been. It has been compounded with problems such as product delays and shortages, recalls, overpricing and even bugs in the system. Barrett, CEO of Intel ploughed money into new markets but then decided to withdraw since the company is not in good state. For instance the company withdrew from the production of network servers and routers after copping flak from Dell and Cisco. He also closed down iCat. These withdrawals were the direct effect of the downturn in economic conditions. Barret re-organized the company to make it more nimble as well as to avoid duplication and to create better coordination. During his stay in the company, he created a new wireless unit, created the Architecture group and reorganized it. 2. Of the environmental pressures for change discussed in this chapter – fashion, mandates, geopolitical, declining markets, hypercompetition, and corporate reputation - which ones were experienced by Intel? It was evident that the company experienced declining markets as environmental pressures as result of the September 11 attack, the slowing economy and the potential threat of war in Iraq. It has been compounded with problems such as technical issues which would be related to hypercompetition. 3. Of the internal organizational...

Words: 930 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

I Love U

...The Boston Massacre was a street fight that occurred on March 5, 1770, between a "patriot" mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British solders. On the cold, snowy night of March 5, 1770, a mob of American colonists gathers at the Customs House in Boston and begins taunting the British soldiers guarding the building. The commanding officer at the Customs House, ordered his men to fix their bayonets and join the guard outside the building.The colonists responded by throwing snowballs and other objects at the British regulars, and Private Hugh Montgomery was hit, leading him to discharge his rifle at the crowd. Boston , the capital of the Province of Massachusetts Bay and an important shipping town, was a major center of resistance to unpopular acts of taxation customs officials seized the Liberty , a sloop owned by leading Boston merchant John Hancock , on allegations that the ship had been involved in smuggling. The crowd continued to press around the soldiers, taunting them by yelling, "Fire!", by spitting at and throwing snowballs and other small objects at them. [ 23 ] Richard Palmes, a local innkeeper who was carrying a cudgel (ie, club), came up to Preston and asked if the soldiers' weapons were loaded. He recovered his weapon, and was thought to angrily shout "Damn you, fire!", then discharged it into the crowd though no command was actually given. Palmes swung his cudgel first at Montgomery, hitting his arm, and then at Preston. He narrowly...

Words: 519 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Paul Bernardo: a True Dangerous Offender?

...Paul Bernardo: A True Dangerous Offender? According to the Criminal Code of Canada the label "dangerous offender" refers to Canada's most violent criminals and sexual predators. The offender is considered dangerous if s/he demonstrates a pattern of repeated behaviour showing a failure to control the behaviour and the possibility of causing injury or death to others or if s/he inflicts severe psychological damage on other people. The offender is considered dangerous if s/he shows a pattern of repeated aggressive behaviour and shows indifference toward consequences of his/her actions toward others. The offender is considered dangerous if her/his actions are brutal or sexual in nature and s/he has shown a failure to control her/his sexual impulses and s/he will probably cause injury, pain or evil to others because of lack of control of sexual impulses. According to the Correctional Service of Canada, as of April 2011 there were 458 dangerous offenders one of whom is Paul Bernardo. In 1995 Paul Bernardo was convicted of the kidnapping, rape and murder or two teenage girls, Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, of southern Ontario. Bernardo also faced 53 other charges related to the rape and murder of young women spanning a ten year time period. If someone is labelled a dangerous offender they are automatically given a sentence of imprisonment for an unspecified period of time, which usually equals life. Bernardo was declared a dangerous offender in November 1995. ...

Words: 1257 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Zodiac Killer

...The Zodiac Killer is known for being one of the most netorious and elusive killers of the century. He is said to have killed at least five people and believed to be connected to possibly more than thirty murders. The thoeries around who he was are more than one can count, but the biggest and most known thoery of who he was is of Arthur Leigh Allen. The Zodiac Killer is known for being one of the most netorious and elusive killers of the century. He is said to have killed at least five people and believed to be connected to possibly more than thirty murders. The thoeries around who he was are more than one can count, but the biggest and most known thoery of who he was is of Arthur Leigh Allen. The Zodiac Killer is known for being one of the most netorious and elusive killers of the century. He is said to have killed at least five people and believed to be connected to possibly more than thirty murders. The thoeries around who he was are more than one can count, but the biggest and most known thoery of who he was is of Arthur Leigh Allen. The Zodiac Killer is known for being one of the most netorious and elusive killers of the century. He is said to have killed at least five people and believed to be connected to possibly more than thirty murders. The thoeries around who he was are more than one can count, but the biggest and most known thoery of who he was is of Arthur Leigh Allen. The Zodiac Killer is known for being one of the most netorious and elusive killers of the...

Words: 604 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Pauls Epistle to Rome

...understanding of a Christian worldview.  The Apostle Paul covers such a wide variety of issues/topics in the text, that is impossible to condense them into a 1000 word essay, however certain things must be noted. Paul considers the debated topic of origins and creation. Christians are divided on the issue of creation, with some believing that God had a more passive role in creation and others believing that God took an active role in creation.  Paul points out throughout his epistle that truth has been known by men since the dawn of “creation” (Rom. 1:19-20). Paul also tells that all creation yearns for the day when Christ will reign, even if creation is unaware of this yearning. (Rom. 8:22-23) Romans does not take a side in the “literal six day vs. theistic evolution debate.    Romans discusses the topic of sin , the consequences of sin, and the law as it relates to sin. Paul makes it clear to his audience (including modern day believers) , that we have been freed from the law, though the law is what make man kind aware of our sin. (Rom: 7:7) Paul explains the “wages” of sin is death, separation from our creator forever and that without salvation (next section) we are slaves to sin. However, Paul points out that through Christ we are no longer slaves to sin and are instead slaves to Christ.  Perhaps most important to a Christian world view, Paul discusses salvation and the means by which humans are to obtain it. Paul is clear that the law is not sufficient to save one from...

Words: 879 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Film Analysis of "The Graduate"

...Film Analysis of “The Graduate” The 1967 film by Mike Nicoles “The Graduate” is about Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate, who is at a crossroads in his life. He is caught between adolescence and adulthood searching for the meaning of his upper middle class suburban world of his parents. He then began a sexual relationship with the wife of his father’s business partner, Mrs. Robinson. Uncomfortable with his sexuality, Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson continue an affair during which she asked him to stay away from her daughter, Elaine. Things became complicated when Benjamin was pushed to go out with Elaine and he falls in love with her. Mrs. Robinson sabotaged the relationship and eventually the affair between Mrs. Robinson and Benjamin is discovered. Understandably, Elaine runs back to college. Benjamin follows her to school determined not to let her get away and ultimately disrupted her wedding. In the end, Elaine runs off with Benjamin uncertain about her pre-determined destination. “The Graduate” cannot possibly begin to unravel the several very complex themes that run throughout the film. The coming of age story as the film attempted to relay a message of innocent being push in an unwanted direction through a society filled with expectations. It focuses on the development and the maturing of the young college graduate and his journey from child to adult as well as sex and relationship. It captures what it is to be young, restless, skeptical and confused. It is reflective...

Words: 2040 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Conflict in Glory

...opposition.”1 I will also discuss God-ward perspective in relation to conflict. Biblical Background “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23 [KJV]). This verse out of the book of Romans is a clear example of antithesis within the Bible. When the entire book of Romans is reviewed it is obvious that the author of this letter to Rome is Paul (Romans 1:1; [KJV]). Paul writes this letter to the Romans somewhere between the times of A.D. 55 and 58 and occurred “during his third missionary journey.”2 It is rightly placed first among the Epistles because it is the most complete exposition in the New Testament of the central truths of Christianity. Paul needed to visit the Roman Christians and his desire to communicate to them the great doctrines of grace that had been revealed to him. Based on the text “the place of writing seems to be Corinth, for Paul sent Phoebe to the Romans. Phoebe was a deaconess from Cenchrea, the eastern seaport of Corinth.”3 Paul wrote the book of Romans for several reasons. First, Paul knew he needed a local church in order reach Spain through evangelism and wanted to prepare the Roman church for the reveal of his 1...

Words: 1106 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Wk4 Acc 291

...Effect of Unethical Behavior Article Analysis The Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 (Pub.L. 107–204, 116 Stat. 745, enacted July 30, 2002), also known as the 'Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act' (in the Senate) and 'Corporate and Auditing Accountability and Responsibility Act' (in the House) and more commonly called Sarbanes–Oxley, Sarbox or SOX, is a United States federal law that set new or enhanced standards for all U.S. public company boards, management and public accounting firms. It is named after sponsors U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) and U.S. Representative Michael G. Oxley (R-OH). As a result of SOX, top management must now individually certify the accuracy of financial information. In addition, penalties for fraudulent financial activity are much more severe. Also, SOX increased the independence of the outside auditors who review the accuracy of corporate financial statements, and increased the oversight role of boards of directors.[1] The bill was enacted as a reaction to a number of major corporate and accounting scandals including those affecting Enron, Tyco International, Adelphia, Peregrine Systems and WorldCom. These scandals, which cost investors billions of dollars when the share prices of affected companies collapsed, shook public confidence in the nation's securities markets. The act contains 11 titles, or sections, ranging from additional corporate board responsibilities to criminal penalties, and requires the Securities and Exchange...

Words: 460 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

What Happens in Boston

...What Happens In Boston Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman paints the picture of a middle class family struggling to make a decent living in Brooklyn. The Lomans have dedicated themselves to being successful businessmen under the direction of Willy, the father of the family. Ironically, Willy is fired from his life’s career as a salesman while his son Biff works odd jobs on farms out West. Biff had a shot at success in college and business, but gave up his aspirations after catching his father in the midst of an affair. Learning about his father’s adultery is what led Biff to disappoint his father and let his life end in unmet expectations. Soon after being fired, Willy meets Bernard, one of Biff’s childhood friends. Bernard reveals that the turning point in Biff’s life was his month-long trip to Boston, and that upon returning he gave up his plans to go to the University of Virginia. Bernard tells Willy that “he came back after that month and took his sneakers… and burned them up in the furnace… I’ve often thought of how strange it was that I knew he’d given up his life,” (Miller 94). Burning up his “University of Virginia” sneakers Biff’s literal and figurative effort to give up his future. Instead of taking advantage of his scholarships and possible football career, Biff decided to leave home and work manual labor. Willy’s hallucination in the diner explains what happened on the night Biff found Willy in Boston. The woman’s laughter from the bathroom gives away her hiding...

Words: 361 - Pages: 2