SUTAN TAKDIR ALISJAHBANA’S RATIONAL THEOLOGY AS A CRITIQUE OF THE CRISIS OF KALAM DISCOURSE IN INDONESIA

Abstract

Contemporary and modern kalam in Indonesia have received less scientific attention from Muslim intellectuals. The importance of this research is because Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana's rational theology was born as a social and cultural critique of Indonesian society which tends to be irrational. The majority of Muslims in Indonesia have not maximized the use of reason in solving social problems. The purpose of this research is to find out how Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana's Rational Theological thoughts form, this includes the implications of Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana's thoughts on contemporary and modern Islamic studies in Indonesia. Specifically, this research wants to answer why Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana's thought is called Rational Theology. Research classified as qualitative research, the method used is constructive-analysis. The results of the research provide a new perspective regarding the development of theology in Indonesia. This study found that Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana's rational way of thinking was influenced by the western philosophical thinking tradition. Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana's rational theological thinking is closely related to the culture of society. Because in his view, humans with their minds are able to create culture. This created culture then influences the way humans relate to God. The most important finding in this study is that Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana's cultural thinking is a solution to the crisis of modern and contemporary Islamic thought in Indonesia.