Vol. 4 No. 1 (2024): Contextual Theology in Indonesian Pluralism: Bridging Faith, Culture, and Social Issues

Dear Esteemed Readers,

With profound gratitude to God, we present the Pambelum Theological Journal Volume 4, Issue 1, August 2024. This edition features five research articles addressing various contextual theological topics relevant to the life of the church and society in Indonesia today.

The first article, authored by Ivana Aimee Djuharto, examines the role of women in the resurrection narrative according to Luke 24:1-12 using narrative analysis. The author finds that women, initially portrayed as marginal, were empowered by God to proclaim the Gospel of the Resurrection after undergoing a process of spiritual growth.

Next, Angely Daniel conducts a comparative study between Jacob's dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22) and the simbuang batu symbol in the Rambu Solo' ritual of Toraja. The author observes a correlation in meaning between the stone pillar erected by Jacob as a symbol of God's presence and the simbuang batu as a representation of love and kinship in Torajan culture.

The third article, by Natalia Tosuli and Henri Sirangki, offers a theological exploration of the phenomenon of bubun to'saruran as a healing medium in the Pangrorean community of Toraja. The authors find that the community's belief in the healing efficacy of the bubun is not dualistic but remains centered on God as the ultimate source of healing.

Andry Saputra Ligawan, in his article, discusses the role of religious communities in addressing poverty from the perspective of liberation theology. The author emphasizes the importance of religion as an agent of change and a defender of the marginalized through active participation in poverty alleviation efforts.

The fifth article, by Jefri Andri Saputra, reconstructs the concept of the church's mission in the context of religious moderation, based on 1 Corinthians. The author concludes that the church's mission involves rejecting syncretism, internalizing religious identity, and fostering love as the spirit of building a solidaristic and missionary community.

The final article, written by May Linda Sari, Ripaldi, and Endy, explores the dialogue between the concept of the house in Banjar culture and the theological concept of Oikos in the New Testament. In Banjar culture, the house is not merely a dwelling place but reflects spiritual and social values, including social strata and religious principles. This study highlights that the foundation of a house, both physically and symbolically, embodies the meaning of life and resilience, aligning with Christ’s teaching in Matthew 7:24-27 about building a house on rock as a symbol of faith and obedience.

We hope that the articles in this edition enrich readers’ perspectives and stimulate constructive discussions among academics, practitioners, and church leaders. Happy reading and enjoying this issue!

Editorial Team
Pambelum Theological Journal