God in Modern Alienation: Theological Reflections on Tawheed and the Trinity in a Secular Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21580/teo.2025.36.2.28179Keywords:
Tawheed, Trinity, Secularism, Comparative Theology, Spiritual AlienationAbstract
This study examines the phenomenon of God's alienation in modern secular societies through a comparative theological analysis of Tawheed in Islam and the Trinity in Christianity, using these concepts as its primary units of analysis. The research aims to examine how these two fundamental doctrines respond to the challenges of secularism, individualism, and materialism in shaping modern religious consciousness. Using a literature-based comparative theological approach combined with hermeneutic-analytical methods, this study integrates classical and contemporary sources, along with sociological data from global surveys, such as those conducted by the Pew Research Center and the World Values Survey. The findings reveal three key factors contributing to spiritual alienation: the crisis of transcendence, the individualization of belief, and the dominance of materialistic culture. Despite doctrinal differences, both Tawheed and the Trinity face similar struggles in maintaining theological relevance among younger and urban populations that are increasingly skeptical of religious authority. The study contributes to comparative theology by proposing a contextual model for reinterpreting the concept of divinity that balances transcendence with human experience. It also highlights the need to strengthen interfaith dialogue, digital engagement, and contextual theology to ensure that the concept of God remains a transformative moral and spiritual force in the twenty-first century.
Downloads
References
Aggarwal & Aggarwal P., P. (2023). Hick’s Theory of Religion and a Muslim View on the Inclusivist Option. Palgrave Frontiers in Philosophy of Religion. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11008-5_10
Al-Khattaf, & H. (2024). X. الدراسات الاسلامية. https://doi.org/10.52541/adal.v59i4.3787
Almutlaq, K. M., & Al-shunyber, K. M. (2024). The Christian Trinity in the Writings of Quranic Exegetes: A Comparison with Islamic Polemicists. Mağallaẗ Kulliyyaẗ Al-S̆arīʿaẗ Wa-al-Dirāsāt al-Islāmiyyaẗ. https://doi.org/10.29117/jcsis.2024.0383
Al Qurtuby, S. (2013). The Islamic Roots of Liberation, Justice, and Peace. Islamic Studies. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.52541/isiri.v52i3-4.73
Altizer, T. J. J. (2012). The Mystery of the Trinity. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137276223_2
Altnurme, L., & Mõttus, M. (2022). The demand for Christianity: vicarious religion? Journal of Contemporary Religion. https://doi.org/10.1080/13537903.2022.2073028
Anderson, P. S., & Fiddes, P. S. (2020). Creating a new imaginary for love in religion. Angelaki. https://doi.org/10.1080/0969725X.2020.1717772
Andika, A. (2022). The existence of religion within technological progress in modern society. Al’ Adalah (Jember). https://doi.org/10.35719/aladalah.v25i1.86
Aristawidya, M. D. (2024). Harmonising Science and Religion in the Life of Generation Z in Indonesia: Efforts Towards Social and Cultural Integration. Deleted Journal. https://doi.org/10.62446/averroes.010202
Asghar, M. S., & Saqib, K. M. (2024). The Divine Singularity: Unity and Oneness in Islam. https://doi.org/10.53762/alnasr.03.02.e05
Aydın, & M. (2025). Contemporary Western Christian Perceptions of Islam. Https://Doi.Org/10.70458/Fcr.9786255536433. https://doi.org/10.70458/fcr.9786255536433
Baggett, D., & Walls, J. L. (2025). Does Ethical Objectivity Require God? https://doi.org/10.1093/9780197607169.003.0011
Bautista, J. (2008). The meta-theory of piety: reflections on the work of Saba Mahmood. Contemporary Islam. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11562-007-0030-Y
Bertato, F. M. (2023). The Trinitarian Doctrine in the Language of Category Theory. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42127-3_22
Bingemer, M. C. L. (2010). Um deus para ser amado algumas reflexões sobre a doutrina trinitária em karl rahner. https://doi.org/10.20911/21768757V36N98P125/2004
Bradic, A. (n.d.). From Attentiveness to Distraction: The Transformation of Belief and Disbelief in Western Society. Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4695571
Bukhari, S. H. F., Abid, M. A., & Arif, S. (2024). Atheism in the Muslim World: Classical Approach through Medieval Islamic Intellectual and Philosophical Traditions. Journal of Religious and Social Studies. https://doi.org/10.53583/jrss06.06.2023
Burley, & M. (2020). Religious Pluralisms: From Homogenization to Radicality. Sophia. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11841-017-0636-3
Byrne, P. (1982). John Hick’s Philosophy of World Religions. Scottish Journal of Theology. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0036930600017075
Cavalcanti, P. E. T. (2022). Abordagem Cultural de John Hick como Resposta ao Problema da Diversidade Religiosa. Revista de Filosofia Moderna e Contemporânea. https://doi.org/10.26512/rfmc.v10i1.47754
Chalfoun, A. (2023). Biblical authority in interaction: How do evangelicals use the Bible? Journal of Pragmatics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2023.02.010
Cizreli, B., Özyurt, C., Ekeke, E. C., Nwosu, E. E., LeDrew, S., Conrad, M., Hackett, C., Stolz, J., de Graaf, N. D., Hackett, C., Antonietti, J., Suprapto, S., Huda, M., Millenio, G. A. A., Widayat, P. A., Khaeroni, C., Kuliyatun, K., Sulaiman, A., Hannani, H., … Arif, S. (2022). The Condition of Religion in Modern, Post-modern, Global Transformation Processes: Critical Contribution to Theories of Religion. Külliye. https://doi.org/10.48139/aybukulliye.1038857
Conrad, M, Hackett, & C. (2025). How measurement changes exaggerate the growth of religious nones. Https://Doi.Org/10.31235/Osf.Io/3wmbn_v4. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/3wmbn_v4
Cruickshank, J. (2016). Rowan Williams and Hans-Georg Gadamer contra Jürgen Habermas: rethinking the problem of religion for liberals as a problem of dialogue. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0278-120420160000035006
Dar, O. M. (2024). Islam and Democracy in the 21st Century. American Journal of Islam and Society. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35632/ajis.v41i3-4.3535
Davari-Torshizi, M. (2024). Is the spiritual not religious? Some caveats concerning religious diversity. Social Compass. https://doi.org/10.1177/00377686241296795
Deetlefs, J. P. (2019). Political implications of the Trinity: Two approaches. HTS Teologiese Studies-Theological Studies. https://doi.org/10.4102/HTS.V75I1.5396
Díaz de Rada, V., & Gil-Gimeno, J. (2023). Have the Inhabitants of France, Great Britain, Spain, and the US Been Secularized? Religions. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14081005
Diouane, H, Ridwan, K, M., Kiram, Z, M., Abulmajd, & A. (2025). The Dynamics of Islamic Thought in Responding to Contemporary Challenges. Bulletin of Islamic Research. https://doi.org/10.69526/bir.v3i4.361
Dobra, D. M. (2024). Between Secularisation and Loss of Faith. Chrześcijaństwo, Świat, Polityka. https://doi.org/10.21697/csp.2024.28.1.09
Ekeke, C, E., Nwosu, & E, E. (2024). Humans and the de-creation of God in the contemporary society. Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v80i2.9843
Emery, G. (2000). Essentialism or Personalism in the Treatise on God in Saint Thomas Aquinas. Thomist. https://doi.org/10.1353/THO.2000.0036
Ermawati, E., Baimunah, S., & Nursalim, E. (2025). Methodological Transformation in Islamic Theological Studies: From Classical Traditions to Contemporary Approaches. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Studies. https://doi.org/10.59525/ijois.v6i1.986
Ert, V. (2014). European secularization process in light of theories. The Journal of International Social Research.
Fox, J. (2017). Religious discrimination in European and Western Christian-majority democracies. Zeitschrift Für Religion, Gesellschaft Und Politik, 1(2), 185–209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41682-017-0009-3
Gaffar, A., & Anees, M. (2025). Inclusive Tawhid as an Epistemology of Islamic Education. Fikrotuna. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.32806/jf.v15i1.833
Greene‐McCreight, K. (2000). Feminist Trinitarian Reconstructions. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195128628.003.0007
Grigore, C., & Maftei, A. (2025). The Impact of Digitalization on Religious Practices and Community Dynamics Following the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Revista Romaneasca Pentru Educatie Multidimensionala. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/17.2/984
Haimila, R., Parkkinen, T. A. M., Klocová, E. K., Maraldi, E. de O., Turpin, H., Farias, M., & van Mulukom, V. (2025). Understanding the morality of unbelievers: Secular beliefs about right and wrong in ten countries. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hk4w5_v1
Hannani, H, Haq, & I. (2022). Transformative Islamic Law: Fazlurrahman’s Study of Islamic Law Interpretation Towards Islamic Theoanthropocentrism. Kuriositas: Media Komunikasi Sosial Dan Keagamaan. https://doi.org/10.35905/kur.v15i2.4936
Heim, S. M. (2001). The Depth of the Riches: Trinity and Religious Ends. Modern Theology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0025.00150
Hewitt, S. (2020). God Beyond Words. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49602-9_1
Horwitz, I. M. (2022). A Methodological Overview. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197534144.005.0001
Ichwan, Moh. N., Amin, F., Khusairi, A., & Andrian, B. (2024). Digitalization and the shifting religious literature of Indonesian Muslims in the Era of Society 5.0. Islamic Communication Journal. https://doi.org/10.21580/icj.2024.9.2.22515
Ichwan, Moh. N., & Salisu, A. (2024). Reevaluating Qur’anic Hermeneutics: A Comparative Analysis Between Classical Tafsir and Modern Hermeneutical Approaches. Jurnal Studi Agama Dan Pemikiran Islam. https://doi.org/10.24042/kalam.v18i2.24213
Ihsan, N., Jamal, J. Mohd., Da’i, R. A. N. R., Rohman, A., & Atqiya, K. (2022). Secularization and its implication for the sciences. Fikri: Jurnal Kajian Agama, Sosial Dan Budaya. https://doi.org/10.25217/jf.v7i1.2413
Ismail, H. W., & Berghout, A. (2024). The concept of al-istikhlaf and its importance in reclaiming the attributes of man as khalifah on earth. Deleted Journal. https://doi.org/10.31436/shajarah.vi.1930
Jaffee, M. S. (2001). One God, One Revelation, One People: On the Symbolic Structure of Elective Monotheism. Journal of the American Academy of Religion. https://doi.org/10.1093/JAAREL/69.4.753
Johnson, K. A., Aglozo, E. Y., Case, B., Padgett, R. N., Johnson, B. R., & VanderWeele, T. J. (2025). A Cross-National Analysis of Demographic Variation in Belief in God, Gods, or Spiritual Forces in 22 Countries. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/gnk93_v2
Jowers, D. W. (2006). A Test of Karl Rahner’s Axiom, “The Economic Trinity is the Immanent Trinity and Vice Versa. ” Thomist. https://doi.org/10.1353/THO.2006.0009
Kärkkäinen, V.-M. (2011). The trinitarian doctrines of Jürgen Moltmann and Wolfhart Pannenberg in the context of contemporary discussion. https://doi.org/10.1017/CCOL9780521877398.013
Kielian, A., Zellma, A., Solecki, R., & Szczukiewicz, P. (2025). The Image of God and Prayer in the Statements of Young People Aged 15–19 from Southeastern Poland. Religions. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020110
Kilby, K. (2005). Aquinas, the Trinity and the Limits of Understanding. International Journal of Systematic Theology. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1468-2400.2005.00175.X
Komagata, K. N. (2022). The Triune God and Participation. https://doi.org/10.36615/9781776419494-23
Kugler, C. (2020). Judaism/Hellenism in Early Christology. Journal for the Study of the New Testament. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/0142064X20961283
Kuhn, M. (2019). Allāh: Internalized Relationality: Awwaḍ Simʽān on the Trinitarian Nature of God: Transformation. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265378819853176
Landesz, T. (2023). Future of Religion. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36382-5_17
LeDrew, & S. (2024). The Causes of Religious Decline. Https://Doi.Org/10.1093/Oso/9780190086886.003.0008. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190086886.003.0008
Leite, Â., Vidal, D. G., Dinis, M. A. P., Sousa, H. F. P. e, & Dias, P. (2020). The Relevance of God to Religious Believers and Non-Believers. Religion. https://doi.org/10.3390/REL11040212
Lemos, C. M., & Puga-Gonzalez, I. (2021). Belief in God, Confidence in the Church and Secularization in Scandinavia. https://doi.org/10.5334/SNR.143
Maghfiroh, M., & Musyafiq, A. (2024). Islamic Moral Ideas In Fazlur Rahman’s Perspective. Islamadina. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30595/islamadina.v0i0.19480
Maghribi, H, Hidayah, & A. (2023). Contesting the Exegetical Approaches of Muhammad Abduh and Fazlur Rahman to the Qur’ān. Religia. https://doi.org/10.28918/religia.v26i1.865
Mansor, M, Asst. Prof. Dr., Spahic, & O, Assoc. Prof. Dr. (2020). Tawhid and its Implications for Islamic Architecture. Https://Doi.Org/10.31436/Japcm.V1i2.465. https://doi.org/10.31436/japcm.v1i2.465
Mariański, J. (2019). Individualization as a socio-cultural process and religiosity. Uniwersyteckie Czasopismo Socjologiczne. https://doi.org/10.21697/ucs.2019.25.2.01
Marshall, P. (2011). Disenchantment and re-enchantment in Europe, 1250–1920. The Historical Journal. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0018246X11000148
Mirza, S. (2022). Islam and the West: A principled opposition. Kom: Časopis Za Religijske Nauke. https://doi.org/10.5937/kom2201001m
Müller, O. (2019). Grace Davie: Religion in Britain since 1945: Believing without Belonging (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-15250-5_51
Mussa, M. A. (2024). Allah is the Only True God. International Journal of Religion. https://doi.org/10.61707/x6qpvj46
Nemes, S. (n.d.). Early High Christology. Philosophia Christi. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5840/pc20242612
Olawoyin, O. N. (2016). John Hick’s Philosophy of Religious Pluralism in the Context of Traditional Yoruba Religion. https://doi.org/10.4314/TP.V7I2.5
Orbih, & I, W. (2024). Divine Transcendence and the Possibility of Theological Dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology. https://doi.org/10.1558/isit.25750
Parry, L. (2022). Essence and Existence, God’s Simplicity and Trinity. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009043595.006
Pereira Coutinho, J., & Wilkins Laflamme, S. (2023). Religiously Unaffiliated Youth in Europe: Shifting Remnants of Belief and Practice in Contexts of Diffused Religion and Cohort Decline. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12901
Phan, P. C. (2011). Mystery of grace and salvation: Karl Rahner’s theology of the Trinity. https://doi.org/10.1017/CCOL9780521877398.011
Prayogi, A., & Nasrullah, R. (2024). Authenticity of the God Concept in Islam. Cendekiawan. https://doi.org/10.61253/cendekiawan.v2i3.214
Punt, J. (2019). What Are Authoritative Scriptures. Religion and Theology. https://doi.org/10.1163/15743012-02601004
Putra, Y, Y., Susanta, & K, Y. (2024). Karl Barth’s theology of the Trinity in conversation with Christian theology of religions. Verbum Et Ecclesia. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v45i1.2824
Roberts, L. (2023). How Exceptional Is the West? An Investigation of Worldwide Trends in Societal‐Average Levels of Religiosity, 1981–2020. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12860
Salontai, Z. (2020). An Examination of the Significance of the Trinitarian Theology of St. Augustine.
Sánchez Berríos, J. E. (2022). Un abordaje a la secularidad desde la perspectiva de Charles Taylor. Desglosando Las Ideas Claves de Era Secular. Tomo I. Phainomenon. https://doi.org/10.33539/phai.v21i2.2661
Santrac, A. S. (2013). The Sola Scriptura Principle in the Current Debate. Journal of the Adventist Theological Society.
Schurink, Dykstra, Hess, S, Tennent, & Tennent. (2023). The link between religious ministry and theology: an analysis of influences, challenges, and cooperation in modern christian communities. Https://Doi.Org/10.35335/5nzdsw35. https://doi.org/10.35335/5nzdsw35
Scott, K. (2002). Practicing the Trinity in the Local Church: The Symbol as Icon and Lure. Review & Expositor. https://doi.org/10.1177/003463730209900312
Senin, N, Hambali, @ K. M. K., Ramli, W., A, W. M., Misra, A., & K, M. (2022). Al-Ghazālī’s Approach in Refuting Anthropomorphism. Islamiyat. https://doi.org/10.17576/islamiyyat-2022-44ik-2
Sisaeng, A, B, A., & Z. (2024). The Tauhid of Imam Al-Asy’ari in The Malay Tradition: An Analysis of Faridat Al-Farāid by Sheikh Wan Ahmad bin Muhammad Zayn. Jurnal Pemikiran Islam. https://doi.org/10.22373/jpi.v4i2.27608
Smiles, A. J., & Rao, P. V. (2020). Holy trinity and the arian controversy. Indian Journal of Applied Research. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36106/IJAR/4114732
Speidell, T. S. (1994). A Trinitarian ontology of persons in society. Scottish Journal of Theology. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0036930600046202
Stolz, J, Graaf, de, D, N., Hackett, C, Antonietti, & J. (2025). The three stages of religious decline around the world. Nature Communications. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62452-z
Sukhareva, E. S. (2024). Religion and secularity as value orientations. https://doi.org/10.37539/240530.2024.53.97.033
Sulaiman, & A. (2023). From Textuality To Discursity; The Hermeneutics of Quran Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd. Sophist. https://doi.org/10.20414/sophist.v5i2.96
Suprapto, S, Huda, M, Millenio, & A, G. A. (2025). Religiosity and Nationalism of Gen Z Muslims: Aspirations and Challenges for Indonesia’s Future. Ulumuna: Jurnal Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Mataram. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v29i1.1285
Tamer, G. (2011). Nasr hamid abu zayd. International Journal of Middle East Studies. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020743810001558
Teske, R. J. (2001). Augustine’s philosophy of memory. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/CCOL0521650186.012
Thompson, J. (1994). The Trinity, Language, and Modern Thought. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195088984.003.0007
Timani, H. S. (2019). Confessing Tawhid and the Trinity: Towards a Christian–Muslim Theology of Liberation. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27308-8_2
Turner, B. S. (2019). Saba Mahmood: Secularization, Practice, and the “Ethical Turn.” Journal of the American Academy of Religion. https://doi.org/10.1093/JAAREL/LFZ081
Valk, J. (2009). Religion or Worldview: Enhancing Dialogue in the Public Square. Marburg Journal of Religion. https://doi.org/10.17192/MJR.2009.14.3468
Venter, R. (2018). God in Systematic Theology after Barth: Trends and perspectives. STJ | Stellenbosch Theological Journal. https://doi.org/10.17570/STJ.2018.V4N2.A15
Voas, D. (2025). Invisible secularity: American theism beyond belief. Social Forces. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soaf018
Ward, K. (2000). The Post-Enlightenment Tradition. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198752585.003.0016
Widayat, A, P., Khaeroni, C, Kuliyatun, & K. (2025). Religious Moderation Among Generation Z Indonesian Muslims: A Dialectical Analysis of Understanding and Practice. Fikri : Jurnal Kajian Agama, Sosial Dan Budaya. https://doi.org/10.25217/jf.v10i1.5726
Wilkinson, T. R. (2021). Divine Unity and Human Plurality in Turkish Muslim Thought (pp. 171–188). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66089-5_10
Zurlo Johnson T. M. & Crossing P. F., G. A. (2024). World Christianity 2025: Regional Perspectives. International Bulletin of Mission Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/23969393241283291
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Elsjani Adelin Langi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.















