Paul Tillich's Dynamics of faith test

Faith

the state of being ultimately concerned, demands unconditional surrender

centered act

act of the total personality, whole being united in act of faith

Ecstatic character of faith

transcends non-rational unconscious and rational conscious. 

holy (creative and destructive)

what concerns one ultimately becomes holy, (can be demonic and divine) 

Courage

the element of faith which accepts uncertainty

Risk

following ultimate concern is act of risk and therefore courage, ultimate concern is ultimate risk

Doubt

when faith is the state of being ultimately concerned, doubt is necessary and a consequence of risk 

intellectualistic distortion of faith

when faith is considered an act of knowledge with little evidence

voluntaristic distortion of faith

overcoming lack of knowledge with an act of will

emotionalistic distortion of faith

defining fait as an unconditional dependence based on emotions

Symbol (six characteristics)

1) point beyond themselves to something else

2) participates in in which it points

3) opens up new levels of reality

4) unlocks dimensions of our soul, which correspond to reality

5) Cannot be produced intentionally 

6) cannot be invented but grows and dies

myth

symbols of faith combined in stories about human-divine encounters

Literalism

realistic interpretations of myth, deprives god of his ultimacy

Demythologization

removal of myth from sacred texts —> removing symbols

scientific truth

testable knowledge about the structures of the universe, finite

truth of faith (subjective and objective aspects)

subjective and objective..

Historic Truth

based on fact, not completely knowable

Love

reunion with that which one belongs —> identical to faith

action

faith and love determine action.