This study examines the essential role of metaphysical awareness and religious experience in the formation of the "true self" within Paul Tillich’s innovative theological framework. Tillich, a prominent 20th-century theologian and philosopher, redefines God not as a personal deity but as the "Ground of Being," a foundational ontological concept that underlies all existence. This redefinition offers a novel perspective to address the existential anxieties and crises faced by contemporary humanity, particularly in a world characterized by rapid social changes, secularization, and increasing feelings of alienation. The research problem centers on how confronting the threat of non-being (nihilism) and recognizing human finitude provoke profound ontological questions and propel the search for authentic meaning and self-realization. The study aims to clarify how metaphysical awareness serves as a catalyst for religious experience, facilitating an existential transition toward the realization and actualization of the true self. This process transcends mere psychological or emotional dimensions; it is deeply ontological and existential, involving a transformation of the individual’s entire being and worldview.
Employing an analytical-philosophical methodology, this research critically examines Tillich’s major works, including Systematic Theology, The Courage to Be, and Dynamics of Faith. The study involves a conceptual analysis and synthesis of Tillich’s ideas regarding metaphysical awareness, existential anxiety, and religious experience. Secondary literature, including contemporary interpretations and critiques of Tillich’s theology, is integrated to enhance the analysis. Comparative philosophical perspectives, particularly from existentialism, phenomenology, and symbolic theology, provide additional context for understanding the dynamics involved in the formation of the true self. The research also addresses the symbolic and dynamic nature of religious experience in Tillich’s thought, highlighting the role of symbols as mediators between finite human understanding and the infinite Ground of Being. The methodological approach encompasses a close reading of primary texts, thematic categorization of key concepts, and critical engagement with relevant scholarly debates.
The findings indicate that metaphysical awareness, understood as a profound insight into the Ground of Being, serves as the foundational impetus for religious experience. This experience is characterized as an existential encounter that transcends mere subjective feeling or ritual practice. It establishes a dynamic and reciprocal relationship between the self and ultimate reality, enabling the individual to confront and transcend existential anxieties, particularly the fear of non-being. Tillich interprets these anxieties not as pathological symptoms but as essential motivators for spiritual growth and the formation of authentic selfhood. Therefore, the religious experience functions as a transformative process, facilitating an existential transition from alienation, despair, and meaninglessness to courage, hope, and self-affirmation. This transition involves accepting human limitations and finitude while simultaneously engaging with the infinite and eternal Ground of Being. The study also emphasizes the symbolic dimension of this experience, where religious symbols act as vehicles for expressing and mediating the encounter with the ultimate. These symbols are not mere signs; they participate in the reality they signify, enabling a deeper ontological connection and existential meaning. Through this symbolic mediation, individuals gain access to a reality that surpasses empirical and rational comprehension, fostering a holistic integration of self and cosmos. Ultimately, the interplay between metaphysical awareness and religious experience nurtures the emergence and actualization of the true self, a self that is both grounded in existential reality and oriented toward transcendence. This process is continuous and dialectical, involving an ongoing negotiation between finitude and infinity, self and other, presence and absence.
In conclusion, Paul Tillich’s innovative theology provides a comprehensive and integrative framework that connects philosophy and religion to address the fundamental existential crises of modern humanity. The study emphasizes the complementary roles of metaphysical awareness and religious experience as dual dimensions essential for the formation and actualization of the true self. By reconceptualizing God as the Ground of Being, Tillich offers a profound ontological basis for understanding human existence and its inherent anxieties. This framework not only deepens the philosophical understanding of selfhood but also presents practical pathways for spiritual growth and existential fulfillment. The research contributes to contemporary existential theology by clarifying how metaphysical awareness and religious experience together enable individuals to transcend alienation, embrace their finitude, and realize their authentic selves. This has significant implications for addressing current spiritual and existential challenges, providing hope and direction in a world often characterized by uncertainty, fragmentation, and meaninglessness. The study encourages further interdisciplinary dialogue between theology, philosophy, psychology, and cultural studies to explore the transformative potential of metaphysical awareness and religious experience in diverse contexts.