14 - Tillich in dialogue with natural science

Summary

Paul Tillich's theological method of correlation, along with much of the actual content of his theology, is indicative of his immersion in the modern cultural 'situation' in which reason is shaped principally by natural science. Tillich's way of doing theology is hardly conceivable apart from his belonging to the age of science and its requirement that enlightened theologians give their discipline not only religious relevance but also intellectual stature. If it expects to be credible in the contemporary period of history, theology must be fully aware of science and the respect scientific understanding commands. Above all, however, it must avoid ever giving the impression of standing in a competitive relationship with science, nor should it approve or reject any set of scientific ideas for purely theological reasons. 'The distinction between the truth of faith and the truth of science leads to a warning, directed to the theologians, not to use recent scientific discoveries to confirmthe truth of faith' (DF, 85).