With today’s accessibility, public
figures are sometimes exposed for their private affairs. Negative private
affairs can certainly have negative effects on the image of these figures. Paul
Tillich was not part of the twenty-first century where anything and everything
one says and do will be used against oneself. He was, however, not without
controversy. This controversy came after his death, through his wife. She wrote
a tell-all biography From Time to Time that
exposed the supposed extramarital affairs Tillich had with various
women. This hurt his image, especially since he was a Christian. His close
friend and notable psychologist, Rollo May, came to his defense and wrote a
biography Paulus that portrayed him more as a hero and remarkable figure. He said in
an interview with Elliot Wright that “I don’t think Hannah’s [Tillich’s wife] book
presents an accurate picture of Paulus… Hannah also distorts Paulus’s life by
saying almost nothing about his intellectual greatness, nothing about his being
an impressive writer, nothing about his ecstatic reason. The things that make
Tillich significant are left out. What this does, unless a reader already knows
him, is to give a warped portrait; another dirty old man” (Wright, 530). The “ambivalent,
perhaps bizarre” portrayal of Tillich is why some “convinced me [May] it was
important to finish my biography and provide two versions of Paul Tillich” (Wright,
531). Given that Hannah Tillich is telling some truth, albeit exaggerated and out
of proportion, should one look at Paul Tillich and his works differently,
especially since he was a Christian?
Wright, Eiliott. “Paul Tillich as Hero: An Interview with
Rollo May.” Christian Century (1974):
530-533
That's an interesting question you bring up: should we revere philosophers for their theories, or for how well they followed and implemented those theories? Powerful philosophical stuff! I'd be careful digging to far into that thought however, your research seems really dense already, and (not to make you nervous but...) we only have 16-18 pages to spell it all out!
ReplyDeleteI think that insofar as his work is related to Christianity specifically and not religion/faith in general you should consider what his wife has to say.
ReplyDeleteThe life of a Christian is one marked by difference from the norm. Some theologians claim that when one is saved their old nature dies and a new nature is born. I don't think this is the case, because even the most zealous christian is tempted to sin. However, regardless of whether or not that is true, a person can only be called a true Christian if they resist their [old ?] human nature. This doesn't mean a Christian will never fail, but acceptance of sin is not reconcilable with calling onself a Christian.
All that being said, his work on faith in general should not be looked at in a different light. Even the most depraved person can be smart.
No one wants you to get all TMZ on this paper--but there might be room for a quick mention in your literature review/critique or family history; it might help balance the bias that is inherently part of writing a biography. All else, footnotes!!
ReplyDeleteI also think this would make a very compelling footnote within the first few pages of your paper - preferably where you mention Tillich's background and context of his life and works. However, I would leave the "meat" of your argument to his works and theories. Make this your "ultimate concern" :)
ReplyDelete