Faith and its Components in Tillich Thought: a Study and Criticism

Paul Tillich who is one the most impressive theologians and philosophers of religion of the twentieth century, propounded a new and challenging concept of faith. For him, Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned, that inherently consists of the element of doubt. This existential doubt, in our interpretation, emerges through all human existential regions including cognitive region of beliefs, emotions and wants, causing an anxiety that assaults heedlessly the whole existence of the person. The only remedy Tillich could prescribe to conquer this radical incertitude, is the courage. Notwithstanding all issues that threaten the being, values and meaning of human life, the man of faith practicing the virtue of courage could overcome these doubts. In this essay, we analyze and criticize Tillich's view and describe the notion of existential doubt. Furthermore we put forward three justifications advocating religious faith must contain doubt and uncertainty. There are: necessity of volitional affirmation, necessity of trust, and necessity of moral act admirableness in faith.