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Glite Dictionary
Paul Tillich

Paul Tillich

1 9.3
A German-born American religious thinker and philosopher known for ideas about Christian faith and the meaning of life
  • proper noun
  • /pɔl ˈtɪlɪk/
: Paul Tillich
  • Paul Tillich is considered one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century.

Examples

  • In his writings, Paul Tillich explores the concept of 'the courage to be' amidst existential anxiety.

  • The ideas of Paul Tillich remain central to contemporary discussions in theology and religious studies.

  • Many philosophy students study the works of Paul Tillich in their courses on existentialism.

  • Paul Tillich was a renowned theologian.

  • Many consider Paul Tillich one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century.

  • Paul Tillich is known for merging existential philosophy with Christian theology, influencing countless thinkers.

  • Students of theology often reference Paul Tillich when discussing the relationship between faith and reason.

Surface Forms

Paul Tillich main

Morphology

Paul + Tillich

This is a proper name referring to a specific individual, so its meaning (a German‑born American theologian and philosopher) is not derivable from the constituent words. Knowing 'Paul' and the surname 'Tillich' does not allow a B1 learner to infer the person's identity or profession, so the expression is non‑compositional and opaque.

Etymology

Paul Tillich was a German-born American thinker and teacher who mixed deep questions about life with Christian faith. He left Germany in the 1930s to teach in the United States, and because his books used big ideas to explain belief, his name now often stands for 'a bold thinker about faith and meaning'.