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What Hacker News says
- I think this is on point, but does point to the limits/faults in his work. I recall being very energized by Tillich in my youth and at the very beginnings of my religious exploration, but was very surprised that the sort of "ambiguity" he was trying to parse was much more well laid out in classical theologians (Aquinas, etc), i.e. "to define God, the limitless being, is to inherently apply limit" which is why theologians have traditionally pursued God via "what He is Not" as we can certainly say that God is not limited, time bound, etc.
Tillich's "ambiguity" was very approachable in my youth, but today I find it extremely dangerous from a moral and philosophical perspective. There is truth in what is said, but unless you have the context in which it is said you can quickly spin it to your heart's delight. My primary takeaway as a youth was "this is great and very theological/intellectually stimulating while not morally demanding of me whatsoever, hooray!" which is why, as a stubborn young adult, certainly found it attractive.
FWIW, if anybody wants a great challenge that seeks to bridge classical theology with modern/personalist/subjective thought, you should read Man and Woman He Created Them by John Paul II. It is as rewarding as it is dense and gave me the bridge between "old" and "new" philosophy/theology that I find lacking in many moderns.
- Strong second for Man and Woman He Created Them. If you can get through it without coming to a deeper understanding of yourself (whether in agreement with its ideas or in opposition to them), you'll be the first person I've met who has.
