tillich: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (specialist/academic)Academic, Theological, Philosophical
Quick answer
What does “tillich” mean?
Proper noun referring to Paul Tillich (1886–1965), an influential German-American existentialist Christian theologian and philosopher.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Proper noun referring to Paul Tillich (1886–1965), an influential German-American existentialist Christian theologian and philosopher.
The term is used to refer to the body of theological and philosophical work, ideas, or school of thought associated with Paul Tillich, particularly his concepts of 'ultimate concern', 'the ground of being', and the correlation between existential human questions and theological answers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more likely to be encountered in American academic contexts due to Tillich's later career in the US.
Connotations
Connotes mid-20th century existentialist theology, Protestant thought, interdisciplinary approach linking theology with philosophy, psychology, and art.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside specific academic fields such as systematic theology, philosophy of religion, or historical studies of 20th-century thought.
Grammar
How to Use “tillich” in a Sentence
[Author] + [verb of scholarship] + Tillich (e.g., 'studies', 'critiques', 'engages with')[Concept] + is derived from + Tillich[Text] + by + TillichVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tillich” in a Sentence
proper_noun
British English
- Tillich's analysis of anxiety remains seminal.
- The lecturer is a noted expert on Tillich.
American English
- We're reading Tillich in my philosophy of religion class.
- His thesis draws heavily on Tillich's notion of symbolism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in theology, religious studies, philosophy, and history departments. Example: 'The seminar will compare the hermeneutics of Bultmann and Tillich.'
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used in everyday conversation unless among specialists.
Technical
Used as a technical referent within the specific field of Tillich studies or historical theology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tillich”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tillich”
- Mispronouncing as /taɪˈlɪtʃ/ or /ˈtɪlɪtʃ/.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a tillich').
- Misspelling as 'Tillitch' or 'Tilich'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul Tillich was a German-American Christian existentialist philosopher and theologian, one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. He is best known for his three-volume 'Systematic Theology' and his concepts of 'ultimate concern' and 'the ground of being'.
In Tillich's theology, an 'ultimate concern' is that which demands one's total spiritual commitment and devotion, effectively functioning as one's god, whether it be a traditional deity, a nation, success, or another object of worship.
No. 'Tillich' functions almost exclusively as a proper noun referring to the person Paul Tillich or, by extension, his ideas and body of work. It is not used as a common noun, verb, or adjective in standard English.
In English, it is pronounced /ˈtɪlɪk/ (TIL-ik). The original German pronunciation is /ˈtɪlɪç/, where the final '-ch' is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'ch' in the Scottish 'loch'.
Proper noun referring to Paul Tillich (1886–1965), an influential German-American existentialist Christian theologian and philosopher.
Tillich is usually academic, theological, philosophical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TILL I CHallenge' my ultimate concerns – a nod to Tillich's central idea.
Conceptual Metaphor
TILLICH IS A BRIDGE (between theology and culture, question and answer). TILLICH'S WORK IS A GROUND/FOUNDATION (the 'ground of being').
Practice
Quiz
In which academic field is the name 'Tillich' most relevant?