Interpreting paul tillich's conception of religion

The present paper is a modest attempt to study the concept of religion, a theme central to Paul Tillich's (1886–1965) many scholarly writings. Man's religiosity is largely understood by the religions of the world, especially those of the Semitic heritage, with reference to God, supposedly a supernatural being considered to be the creator and sustainer of the universe. Faith accordingly is defined as belief, testified by the sacred scriptures, in such a God. It is apparent that religiosity here derives its meaning and vitality from the relation man forges with God. Man is a being separated from God, and he becomes ‘religious’ only when he enters the religious arena of life and participates in religious activities. The problem with such an understanding of religiosity is that it harbors an inherent tendency to view life as divided between ‘the sacred and secular’, ‘the holy and mundane’. The importance of Paul Tillich must be situated precisely at this juncture in overcoming this dichotomy. It is the one and the same man who is both religious and secular and hence there cannot be a division in his life as a totality. Tillich's unique position lies in going beyond these two opposing forces, by speaking of man's fundamental quest for being and meaning in terms of the ultimate concern.