Theology and mysticism : two fundamental functions of religion

Abstract

In the Introduction to his famous Systematic Theology, Paul Tillich, states that two are the main functions of theology: the function of proclaiming the Word of God and the function of defending it by answering to the needs of a particular culture. He calls the first "kerygmatic function" and the second "apologetic function". Tillich then proves that between these two functions there cannot be any incompatibility or conflict, since they are both necessary to the work of the Church. The two functions are strictly correlated: the proclamation of the Word of God should answer to the needs of a cultural situation, whereas the cultural situation needs to be open to the truths of the Word of God.