Tillich critiques idolatry in literalism and fundamentalism, emphasizing courage in overcoming meaninglessness.
Barfield advocates 'final participation' to integrate sacredness with science, promoting a science of meaning cultivation.
Deep dives
Criticism of Literalism and Fundamentalism by Tillich
Tillich deeply critiques literalism and fundamentalism, viewing them as forms of idolatry that obstruct the true essence of faith. He delves into the notion of courage as an existential virtue tied to overcoming meaninglessness and perverted responses like Nazism.
Tillich's Concept of Ultimate Concern and Idolatry
Tillich defines faith as ultimate concern, focusing on what deeply matters to individuals. He warns against turning symbols into idols, emphasizing that true concern involves commitment, involvement, and an aspirational, open-ended pursuit of the grounded being.
Transgressive Nature of Tillich's God Concept
Tillich's transcendent God symbolizes the ground of being without being confined to a specific form or limited understanding. He rejects the notion of reifying God into a tangible entity, considering it a form of idolatry that distorts the essence of sacredness and limits the divine to one aspect.
Final Participation and Modern Science Integration
Barfield advocates for 'final participation' as a response to the meaning crisis, aiming to recover perspectival and participatory modes while integrating with scientific advancements. Barfield's approach emphasizes the transformative potential of sacredness within modern scientific frameworks, highlighting the need for a science of meaning cultivation and the amalgamation of participatory experiences with rational sciences.
