The New Being

by Paul Tillich, Mary Ann Stenger (Introduction)

Although he has earned a reputation as a profound theologian, the author demonstrates in this small collection of sermons his ability to simplify the Christian message for the common reader. — Booklist These twenty-three meditations on key passages from the Bible were originally delivered as addresses at colleges and universities. They are short, powerful, and persuasive examinations of the effect of God’s love on the life of the believer and the challenges of living the New Creation—“the infinite passion of every human being.” Tillich scholar Mary Ann Stenger provides a new introduction for this edition.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Philosophy, Christianity, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christian

179 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Paul Tillich was a German-American theologian and Christian existentialist philosopher. Tillich was – along with his contemporaries Rudolf Bultmann (Germany), Karl Barth (Switzerland), and Reinhold Niebuhr (United States) – one of the four most influential Protestant theologians of the 20th century. Among the general populace, he is best known for his works The Courage to Be (1952) and Dynamics of Faith (1957), which introduced issues of theology and modern culture to a general readership. Theologically, he is best known for his major three-volume work Systematic Theology (1951–63), in which he developed his "method of correlation": an approach of exploring the symbols of Christian revelation as answers to the problems of human existence raised by contemporary existential philosophical analysis.

Reviews

[Annabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Tillich saved my faith.

Expansive vision, kicks Christianity in the gonads when and where necessary.

[Rodger Broome · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great, short chapter (sermon) book. One can get a good and thought provoking message in a few pages. Also, it is a book that one can pick up and take off where he or she left off easily. Remarkable blend of Christian theology and existentialism.This book is a little gem!

[Abijah Zwiers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The titular sermon gives words to the theology I’ve been trying to articulate for ages. It doesn’t expand it out to contain the deeper ecology that I’ve incorporated into my understanding of the “New Creation”, but the assertion that this reconciliation, reunion, and resurrection of reality is core to the Christian faith is written in a way I can only wish to have conceived of.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tillich: A Christian Existentialist. Usually a contradiction.. or so I thought. And enlightening just the same.

He developed his "method of correlation" approach of exploring the symbols of Christian revelation and then applying them as an answer to the dilemma of human existence raised by contemporary existential philosophical analysis.

And so he presents us with his Christian existentialist philosophy... A stretch? Yes, a bit.(in my opinion) But makes some interesting points, actually.

Another example of a Christian philosopher who is painfully brilliant and stubbornly romantic.. ie John Locke, Pope john Paul II, etc.. Taking a stand for faith and hope.. not always a bad thing. Is it?

[The Scribbling Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

A series of short sermons, loosely tied together with the theme of "the new being", which is essentially a reference to new life in Christ.

Tillich was a philosopher and theologian. When the emphasis was more heavily on the former, I sometimes felt unable to keep keep track of his narrative, but other times it was like a breath of fresh air. There were also times where I felt clueless, only to be enlightened in the last paragraph. Some of his conclusions are almost like a good twist in a story, the rug is pulled out from under you and you can't stop thinking about what happened.

I'm certain I will return to this at some point, though I'd also like to try reading something else by him. Ideally something less bitty and more focused on a single topic.

[Emily Magnus · Rating 2 out of 5]

You ever read books that you are kinda ready to speed through? Let me just say to Paul here (if he is alive and reading this) that his short sermons were simple and good reminders, but that may have also been the caveat that forced me to want to skim through. I think there are days when we need to boil down the Gospels into their simple nature, but for some reason there were pages of this book that felt like everything I’ve heard before. All and all, thankful to be repeated truthful words but also thankful to grab a new book as well.

QOTB: “For in the depth of every serious doubt and every despair of truth, the passion for truth is still at work. Don’t give in too quickly to those who want to alleviate your anxiety about truth. Don’t be seduced into a truth which is not really your truth, even if the seducer is your church, or your party, or your parental tradition. Go with Pilate, if you cannot go with Jesus; but go in seriousness with him.”

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of sermons. Although Tillich is considered a controversial figure in 20th Century Christianity, in this book he avoids the hot button topics that will scare off general readership. Of course, some of his more controversial opinions are assumed, but they are not too distracting from his teachings. Also, I appreciated his willingness to explore philosophy and psychology within the context of the scriptures he taught.

[Jungsook Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The New Being" is series of Paul Tillich's sermons. This is the first time I read Tillich's book even though his name is familiar with me. In the beginning, I was amazed by his reflections on the the bible, but gradually I began to lose my interest or excitement as it was a bit difficult to follow or less interesting.

I write a book review for myself whose memory is getting weaker. So I want to keep the parts I like best here.

- Resurrection is not an event that might happen in some remote future, but is tis the power of the New Being to create life out of death, here and now, today and tomorrow, namely, the creation into eternity out of every moment of time.

- Reconciliation, reunion, resurrection-- this is the New Creation, the New Being, the New State of Things.

-He who wants a salvation which is only visible cannot see the divine child in the manger as he cannot see the divinity of the Man on the Cross and the paradoxical way of all divine acting. Salvation is a child and when it grows up, it is crucified. Only he who can see power under weakness, the whole under the fragment, victory under defeat, glory under suffering, increase under guilt, sanctity under sin, life under death can say: Mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are external.

-...all moments of time receives significance. ...... each moment says to us: The eternal is at hand in this moment. The moment passes, the eternal remains. Whatever in this moment, in the hour, on this day and in this short or long-time happens has infinite significance. Our timing from moment to moment, our planning today for tomorrow , the toil of our life time is not lost.

[Matt K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars in no way indicating subscription, really, so very far from it. It's difficult to underemphasize the difference I have with Tillich in how he understands Jesus, the Scriptures, Christianity, etc. Also, the impact of Tillich on 20th century Protestant liberalism is lamentable and easy to recognize. Nevertheless, this is five stars for it's eloquence and ability to so clearly formulate and define an intellectual movement with a far reaching impact. Your contemporary pop liberal spokesmen/women out there add nothing to what Tillich has already laid out in sermons like these. Also, this collection is commendable for being concise yet representative, academic yet very readable. At the same time, sometimes I would laugh at the silliness of the anti-propositional logic that Tillich throws out there at times.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been meaning to read Paul Tillich since seminary, somehow I missed this theologian and philosopher despite his supposed importance. This collected book of sermons gives a nice introduction to some of his thought and to his pretty sophisticated reading of the Bible for modern people. Much of his interpretations of various Biblical texts are just as relevant today as they were fifty years ago.

[Zach Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Paul Tillich book so far. It is actually a collection of sermons, essays, and lectures presented by Tillich throughout his academic career in the United States. When asked which Tillich book to read first, many people always say to start with Dynamics of Faith or The Courage to Be. Both of those are good primers to Tillich's thought, but I found this work to be much more lucid and easily digestible. Strongly recommended!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, let's honestly call it 2.5 stars. Read for church men's group. Sometimes heavy going but generally quite interesting and usually led to good discussions. I'm not sure I'd have kept reading if not for the group. On the other hand, I often read the assigned chapter(s) hurriedly, so perhaps didn't give it the attention it deserved all the time.

[Don Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important theologians of the 20th century. Though published in 1955, it reads as though written in the last few days as it addresses the hope that breaks into the sufferings and finitude of post-modern existence.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep heady stuff. Each chapter is a sermon. Thoughts and insights out of the ordinary. Much was very helpful, and other sermons were too involved, too academic.

[Adam Gossman]

Wow