Theologians: More Than Just Barthians

Now that I’ve graduated, I’m going to try and write more. Also, I’m going to particularly try to post short, significant pieces from what I’m still reading in the disciplines of religion and philosophy. Up first, the first volume of Tillich’s Systematic Theology, which I recently finished. Notice that the quote below states that the definition of “theologian” might be broader than many are inclined to think (as long as one takes the pre-1960’s usage of “he” by Tillich to instead refer to all persons, not just men). Beware, neo-orthodox and post-liberals…

“But even the man who has entered the theological circle consciously and openly faces another serious problem. Being inside the circle, he must have made an existential decision; he must be in the situation of faith. But no one can say of himself that he is in the situation of faith. No one can call himself a theologian, even if he is called to be a teacher of theology. Every theologian is committed and alienated; he is always in faith and in doubt; he is inside and outside the theological circle. Sometimes the one side prevails, sometimes the other; and he is never certain which side really prevails. Therefore, one criterion alone can be applied: a person can be a theologian as long as he acknowledges the content of the theological circle as his ultimate concern. Whether this is true does not depend on his intellectual or moral or emotional state; it does not depend on the intensity and certitude of faith; it does not depend on the power of regeneration or the grade of sanctification. Rather it depends on his being ultimately concerned with the Christian message even if he is sometimes inclined to attack and to reject it.”

–Paul Tillich, Systematic Theology I, 10