Reading: Cobb [Tools]

Cobb continues to hone in on Tillich's cultural theory by focusing on his concept of "ultimate concern." The most interesting and easily used, from a practical perspective, is the language of religious symbols. Cobb explains that, according to Tillich, it is our divinely given capacity for ultimate concern that craves symbols.

In a contemporary cultural setting, the symbol of the cross, a priest's robe, and even the Bible are seen as symbols of the Christian faith from both inside and outside our culture, for better or worse. Better when the symbols epitomize good, faith and truth. Worse when they symbolize the greed, capitalism and democracy-spreading of a twisted American "Conservative Christian" ideal.