Pastoral Theology: A Methodological Approach to Analyzing Social Cases

Religious life cannot be separated from society. As a religious institution, the church must impact society through concrete action. One of these approaches is through pastoral theology. This research aims to provide a methodological template for academics and churches, in particular, to use pastoral theology to analyze societal problems. This is necessary because some churches are still bound by dogmas that restrict the church’s role to “spiritual” matters rather than matters of concrete social concern. So, churches often distance themselves from the social theory approach in dissecting society\u27s problems. The analytical tool used in this paper is the pastoral cycle method. A pastoral theological approach focuses on cases that have occurred or are currently occurring in society. This paper uses the case of food scarcity, namely cooking oil, which has occurred in Indonesia. The research results show that the social theological approach, which has been shunned by evangelical theology, can be used in dissecting and mapping social cases in society to contribute to the church in determining anticipatory steps and responding with concern to these social problems. Through this research, it can be concluded that the social function of the church as light and salt of the world can be achieved by using pastoral theology. The implications of this research will encourage churches to position themselves as government partners in realizing the achievement of SDG targets on the one hand and the other hand, provide new insight that pastoral theology does not only deal with “spiritual” (i.e., intangible) matters. It can be seen that a Biblical approach can be intertwined with social analysis for the purpose of social welfare

Permasalahan dan Strategi Peningkatan Mutu Pendidikan Tinggi Keagamaan Kristen di Indonesia

Pendidikan Tinggi Keagaamaan Kristen di Indonesia (PTKKI) mengalami situasi yang masih memprihatinkan dalam kaitannya dengan mutu pendidikannya. Hai ini terlihat dari masih banyaknya PTKKI yang nilai akreditasinya C atau Baik. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi berbagai permasalahan yang dihadapi PTKKI dalam mencapai nilai unggul serta mencoba menawarkan strategi peningkatan mutu dan program pengembangan. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data wawancara, observasi dan studi dokumen. Hasil yang diperoleh adalah ditemukan langkah pemecahan praktis dan rencana pengembangan terkait dengan tata pamong, tata kelola dan kerjasama; bidang kemahasiswaan; bidang sumber daya manusia, bidang keuangan, sarana dan prasarana; bidang pendidikan, bidang penelitian, dan bidang pengabdian kepada masyarakat

The Implications of Nahum 1:12-2:2 for the Case of Religious Discrimination in Indonesia

The book of Nahum is full of the news of God’s judgment upon Nineveh; this book looks gloomy and hopeless, but one will find the theme of restoration as well. This article analyzes Nahum 1:12-2:2 as a basis for addressing the problem of religious discrimination in Indonesia.  Using the literature study method, the results from this article are divided into theological and practical implications. Theologically, the text of Nahum 1:12-2:2 provides believers with hope for restoration from the One who brings true restoration: God himself. Practically, this text encourages God\u27s people to remain steadfast and not despair but have hope, for there will come a time when God restores them. In addition, when true restoration occurs, believers should return to God and not continue to indulge themselves in pleasure and self-satisfaction

Membebaskan Makna Sesama dari Kekangan Ghetto: Menjadi Gereja yang Merangkul Sesama dari Perspektif Lukas 10:25-37

The diversity of life and its complexity is a rich social fact and should be celebrated through encounters between fellow humans, but it is often harmed by forms of discrimination and self-limitation that narrow these relationships. This then restricts the existence of human life in narrow spaces like ghettos which isolate people from their social, cultural and religious contexts. This type of life is of course not permitted by the church, but often the church also participates in it. This is a historical burden that continues as previously seen in the text of Luke 10:25-37. The method used in this research is a library research method using library sources that are relevant to this research, as well as an interpretive or hermeneutic method to interpret the meaning of the biblical text for the current context. The results of this research are: first, the text of Luke 10:25-37 questions the meaning of fellow human beings, which the Israelites failed to practice compared to the Samaritans. In this text Jesus chooses to side with the actions of the Samaritans and criticizes the actions of the Israelites. Second, the text of Luke 10:25-37 reveals that the meaning of neighbor is universal and the church is required to side with Jesus\u27 call to participate in building universal relationships with fellow humans beyond social, cultural and religious barriers. Third, the Church must free the meaning of others from the constraints of the ghetto that alienates their existence from the world

Corporate Compassion: Analyzing John 15:9-17 through a Socio-Rhetorical Perspective

This research delved into the intricate facets of workplace spirituality within the contemporary context, specifically addressing labor challenges in Indonesia. The study employed socio-rhetorical analysis, anchored in John\u27s theology from chapter 15:9-17, to explore the theological and practical dimensions of spirituality in the workplace. Selected sources from prominent databases underpinned the socio-rhetorical analysis, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject. The findings underscored that implementing spirituality in the workplace, particularly from a Christian perspective, could foster inclusivity, harmony, and organizational efficiency. Effective communication and respect for diverse beliefs emerged as pivotal factors in ensuring universal understanding and embrace of workplace spirituality. The research contributed nuanced insights into the intersection of theology and practice, offering implications for theory and application in contemporary workplaces. It concluded that workplace spirituality, rooted in John\u27s theology, possessed transformative potential, infusing workplaces with transcendent purpose, nurturing harmonious relationships, and cultivating effective leadership. The implications of this study extended to the broader discourse on spirituality in organizational contexts, enriching the understanding of the role of faith and theology in shaping the modern workplace, especially in the unique socio-cultural landscape of Indonesia

Keramahan Kristen di Tengah Krisis: Menyikapi Isu Imigrasi Dan Pengungsi Dari Perspektif Kitab Imamat 19:33-34

This study explores the concept of Christian hospitality in response to immigration and refugee issues with reference to Leviticus 19:33-34. In the context of a global crisis, churches and Christian communities are called to show hospitality to refugees and immigrants, reflecting a commitment to provide help, support, and compassion to fellow human beings in distress. This research utilizes a qualitative approach with an in-depth analysis of the biblical text, especially Leviticus 19:33-34, and includes understanding the values, principles, and views related to hospitality. The results illustrate that the concept of Christian hospitality is placed in the context of holiness, emphasizing the importance of loving and welcoming strangers as a response to divine authority. Its theological implications include spiritual identity formation and bearing witness to God\u27s love, while its practical implications form the basis for inclusive social policies and moral education

Allusions and Omissions in Augustine’s Confessions

This paper discusses possible biblical allusions and omissions in Augustine’s Confessions, arguing that the themes he presents can be understood with greater nuance if viewed in light of not only the scriptural passages he chooses to support them but also the verses from the immediate context, which he omits. The paper will examine four examples from within the Confessions: the way that in the Confessions but not elsewhere, he only utilizes the second half of James 1:17, eliding the phrase ‘Father of lights,’ his use of the term unam for his concubine, his depiction of his mother Monnica like the apostle Paul, and possible reasons for his elision of portions of the prologue to John. As a result, this paper has offered four possible instances of Augustine omitting, or only allusively referring to, specific scriptures throughout the Confessions: his omission of God as the Father of lights when referencing James 1, his allusion to the una columba of the Canticle of Canticles in describing his concubine, his undertone of Pauline episodes in recounting the tale of Monnica\u27s arrival in Rome, and finally his omission of John the Baptist from It has been suggested that, in each of these cases, a deeper grasp of the parts of the Bible that Augustine has left out can help us comprehend the major arguments that he has made in more depth

A Theological Review of the Practice of Abortion among Unmarried Women in India

In 2022, the Supreme Court of India has legalized abortion for all women, regardless of marital status. Consequently, all women in India are free to terminate their pregnancy without having to face a legal case. This decision is a breakthrough for new laws in India, including the issue of upholding women's rights. Even so, the act of arbitrary abortion is contrary to morals and Bible teachings. This article aims to discuss the legalization of abortion carried out by the Indian government from a biblical theology perspective by using a literature review approach. The findings of this research indicate that legalizing abortion through legislation is contrary to the biblical principle of the right to life. The government must guard abortion cases not only from political and socio-economic roles but also from religious beliefs and provide good sex education and a healthy environment for its people to suppress unwanted abortions. The role of parents in educating children and the role of the church in maturing the faith of the younger generation can prevent free sex and unsafe abortion in India. The contribution of this research is related to abortion, the right to life of the fetus, women's rights, sex education for the younger generation, parenting and government law

Paul\u27s Principles of Pastoral Care in Acts 20:17-38 and His Challenges to Pastoral Leaders

This article aims to analyze the pastoral service practices of Paul that are worthy of being imitated by the local church leaders today by focusing on the content of his farewell speech to the elders of the church in Ephesus based on Luke\u27s record in Acts 20:17-38. The narrative hermeneutic method will analyze each statement related to his service actions. The results of the analysis show the pastoral service practices that are lived, taught, and need to be imitated by church leaders today in Indonesia. The study results show that the Apostle Paul presents the principles of pastoral service that are timeless and relevant to the context of local church service today. The fundamental principles he taught and the challenges pastoral leaders face today are: First, making the most of time. Pastoral leaders in the present era are challenged to maximize every opportunity in their service, especially amid many distractions and demands of the times. Second, he emphasizes the importance of humility in service. Today\u27s leaders must be aware of the danger of arrogance and constantly realize their trustworthy source of strength. Third, Paul not only serves with enthusiasm but also with deep emotion. This challenges today\u27s church leaders to engage emotionally, empathize with the congregation, and feel grief and joy with them. Fourth, he often faces threats and dangers in his service. Church leaders must be ready to face challenges, especially when voicing the truth of the Bible in an increasingly secular cultural context. Fifth, serving with teaching. He emphasizes the importance of correct and profound teaching. In the information age full of false teachings, pastoral leaders are challenged to continue to provide teaching based on the Bible and relevant to their congregation

Kompetensi Pedagogik Guru Pendidikan Agama Kristen dalam Penguatan Profil Pancasila

Artikel ini membahas Kompetensi pedagogik guru Pendidikan Agama Kristen memiliki peran krusial dalam memperkuat profil Pancasila pada siswa. Guru yang memiliki kompetensi pedagogik yang baik tidak hanya memahami nilai-nilai Pancasila secara mendalam, tetapi juga mampu menyampaikan nilai-nilai tersebut kepada siswa dengan cara yang menarik dan relevan. Dengan kompetensi ini, guru dapat membantu siswa untuk menginternalisasi dan menerapkan nilai-nilai Pancasila dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, membentuk karakter mereka sesuai dengan prinsip-prinsip Pancasila.Guru Pendidikan Agama Kristen memiliki tanggung jawab khusus untuk mengintegrasikan prinsip-prinsip Pancasila dalam pembelajaran agama, karena nilai-nilai Pancasila seperti ketuhanan, kemanusiaan, persatuan, demokrasi, dan keadilan sosial sejalan dengan ajaran agama Kristen. Penguatan profil Pancasila melalui kompetensi pedagogik ini mencakup pengembangan karakter, pembinaan sikap dan perilaku, serta peningkatan kualitas pembelajaran yang berbasis nilai-nilai Pancasila