Tillich Today Taylor Thomas: Philosopher, Theologian, and Swell Person

What is the relationship between art, religion, and culture? How are existential questions addressed in each? Can offensive street art be spiritually deep? In this video, I explore these issues through the existentialist lens of German-American scholar Paul Tillich, covering his ideas about "God" and culture, digging into a bit of art history, and explaining why even video games, Instagram memes, and graffiti constitute meaningful ways of engaging with the most important aspects of human existence.

After a much needed Easter break, Tillich Today is back with Dr. Nimi Wariboko, scholar, professor, and all around smart cookie. We discuss Tillich's thought in the context of contemporary economics, Pentecostal theology, and moral philosophy.

Today, I'm joined by Tolkien Heads sensation Nick Polk. Together we'll explore the Lord of the Rings, the theology of Tolkien, Tillich, Process Theology, and much, much more. Those interested in middle earth, fantasy, and philosophy won't want to miss my conversation with Nick, whose an ace when it comes to talking Tolkien.



If you enjoy my podcasting antic and the music featured in each episode, check out the Instagram page! The intro to this week's episode is a LOTR inspired guitar piece arranged and composed by myself.

Tillich is well known for embracing a school of thought known as Neoplatonism, creatively pairing its ancient insights with his Existential worldview. Plotinus, popularly known as the first Neoplatonism, had a tremendous impact on Tillichian theology, particularly Tillich's understanding of God as the Ground of Being. Today, let's briefly examine some of his main his ideas to get a better sense of why Tillich may have found such inspiration in Plotinian philosophy.

How does one coherently speak about the ineffable? Was Paul Tillich a religious naturalist? This week, I talk with the ever stupendous Jeff Speaks about metaphysics, apophaticism, the complexities of naturalist theology, and how to best characterize Tillich's theological lens. This is an especially relevant episode for any one who, like Jeff and myself, thirsts for a philosophically informed spiritual framework but rejects supernaturalism.



Jeff Speaks is a PhD Candidate at Boston University School of Theology studying theology, philosophy, and ethics.

Paul Tillich was a well known admirer of Nietzsche's philosophy. Reading Tillich with a close eye, the immense influence of good old Freddie on his own thought becomes crystal clear. Legend even has it that he carried a copy of at least one of Nietzsche's texts with him on the frontlines of the first world war.

This week I am joined by Caroline Wall, a Boston University PhD student studying Nietzschean Ethics. With her help, let's take a dee dive into one of Tillich's foundational philosophical influences.

This is the first in one of many episodes where we will be focusing on one of Tillich's major philosophical or theological influences and breaking down their ideas into bite sized pieces.