Solidarity in Christianity to Foster “Bhineka Tunggal Ika”: A Biblical Analysis of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37

Abstract

Solidarity is a terminology in the field of sociology that is also used in other fields such as psychology and bioethics. It is an important concept in Christian thought as well. For Emile Durkheim, solidarity both mechanical and organic, is social cohesion based on the same elements such as religion, ethnicity, family, agreement, and common interests. bhineka tunggal ika (Unity in Diversity) as the motto of the Indonesian state must be strived for every citizen including Christians. Without strong solidarity, bhineka tunggal ika will be lost, thus the identity of the Indonesian nation is also in danger of being lost. Indonesia's diversity of religions is manifested in Pancasila with the first precepts Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa. Though Indonesia is a country that recognizes six official religions, the idea of solidarity related to the first precepts is still far from adequate. This article aims to contribute Christian thought on solidarity to foster bhineka tunggal ika by analyzing Luke 10:25-37. This article employed a literature research methodology combined with descriptive qualitative analysis from various recent research data. Biblical analysis includes the essence of Christianity, the concept of solidarity in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. The examination of Luke 10:25-27 is specifically carried out on several aspects i.e., historical, context, grammatical, and social, especially Christian solidarity and its value in fostering bhineka tunggal ika. Application of this and a conclusion are presented.