Paul Tillich's Dynamics Of Faith

1149 Words3 Pages

Faith is a complex topic. Views on the subject vary widely, from the thoughts of Joe Everyman to major philosophers, like Huston Smith or Paul Tillich. Mr. Tillich had a strong opinion on how a person might be truly faithful. While his theory could be applied to several different belief systems today, focusing on the part of Hinduism presented in The Upanishads illuminates one of Mr. Tillich’s core beliefs. Brahman, as presented in The Upanishads, can be deemed an appropriate ultimate concern, which could lead to authentic faith according to Paul Tillich, as defined in his book Dynamics of Faith. Brahman is shown to be infinite and unconditional. Following him is a free choice that involves the whole being and can lead to total fulfillment. …show more content…

Tillich defines faith. Dynamics of Faith opens with the most important quote of the entire book: “Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned” (1). Being faithful means being constantly fully concerned with a proper ultimate concern. Tillich defines an ultimate concern as something that “demands the total surrender of him who accepts this claim, and it promises total fulfillment even if all other claims have to be subjected to it or rejected in its name” (1-2). Tillich warns that not all ultimate concerns are equal and that one can only be fully faithful through the pursuit of a proper ultimate concern (i.e. the infinite). Tillich contrasts this with the common mistake many in society today make of using success (or something like it) as one’s ultimate concern. While success serves as an ideal ultimate concern in that it can easily command one fully, it is not a way to achieve faith because no one will ever find true fulfillment through the pursuit of success due to its finite nature (Tillich 3-4). Tillich highlights the point that faith must be a conscious act, a choice. This is because, while faith has an emotional component, “emotion does not produce faith” (Tillich 8). Another major component of Tillich’s faith definition is authentic faith’s direction towards the infinite. Faith is motivated by the finite subject’s drive to reach the infinite object of his or her ultimate concern (Tillich …show more content…

The book itself is full of short lessons, each teaching something specific about faith. Lessons include both basic tenents, like how to reach the infinite, known as Brahman, and more specific teachings on areas such as karma or reincarnation. To understand the relationship between Tillich’s view of faith and the pursuit of Brahman as outlined in The Upanishads, understanding the terms used in this book is necessary. First, Brahman is the ultimate, “he is above the known and above the unknown” (The Upanishads 51), he is “the Spirit Supreme” (The Upanishads 53). All things derive from Brahman. Next, the Atman, in simple terms, is one’s soul. The soul is the closest thing man has to the infinite and how man can ultimately connect to Brahman. Finally, Moksha is the process of attaining full consciousness and reaching union with Brahman. Moksha is the goal of man. Hindus seek to follow Brahman, practicing free choice with their whole being, moving toward total fulfillment. By truly following the teaching of The Upanishads, a person would be demonstrating faith as defined by Paul

Open Document