Theocentricism

The term theocentrism is composed of Greek θεός, theos (God), and Greek κέντρον, kentron, Sting, compass point, center of the circle, from Latin centrum and refers to a religious-minded worldview that sees God or one or more deities in the spiritual center of the world.

God or a divine being is at the center of the world, that is the life and mindset of the people is religion -oriented. Opposite of theocentrism is anthropocentrism, alleging no transcendent instance but man is the center of the world.

The transition from theocentrism to anthropocentrism was first held in ancient times and is initiated by the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus in 600 BC.

Christianity is Christ-centered, that is theocentric and anthropocentric at the same time, which means it has Jesus Christ as the center, which is both God and man. Anthropocentrism and theocentrism are thus in Christianity no opposition but are inseparably related. While primarily emphasized the theocentric page in the middle ages, modern theology is more determined by the anthropocentric view of the Christian faith.

With the Enlightenment, the general belief was anthropocentric again.

Footnotes

• Medieval Philosophy
• Philosophy of Religion
• Social Philosophy
• Religion