Christian Church Research Articles

All Progressives Congress v Bashir Sheriff and Others: The Conflict Between Legal Technicalities and Justice

Abstract One of the issues for determination in All Progressives Congress v Bashir Sheriff and Others was whether the first respondent won the primary election that was conducted according to the Electoral Act 2022. This issue, however, was not addressed because the Supreme Court set aside the suit because the first respondent failed to initiate it through the proper originating process. This decision contrasts with its previous judgment in Ekanem v The Registered Trustees of the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, where it held that an inappropriate originating process does not undermine the competence of a suit. By departing from this previous decision, this note argues that there is a high possibility that the Supreme Court may have aided in the subversion of the Constitution. It recommends that the Electoral Act 2022 be amended to restrict the court's authority to dismiss election disputes if they were initiated through inappropriate originating processes.

Heritage Characterisation and Preservation Strategies for the Original Shantung Christian University Union Medical College (Jinan)—A Case of Modern Mission Hospital Heritage in China

At the turn of the 20th century, Christian and Catholic churches in Western nations established numerous mission hospitals in non-European regions. In China, mission hospitals represent a significant category of modern architectural heritage, symbolising advancements in healthcare and medical education while also serving as historical artifacts of early cultural interactions between China and the West. With ongoing developments in medical technology, these mission hospital structures no longer meet contemporary healthcare demands; many have been repurposed or temporarily abandoned. Preserving and effectively repurposing mission hospital heritage has thus emerged as a critical issue. In the present study, the Shantung Christian University Union Medical College was examined as a case study in addressing this challenge. The site retains the original Outpatient Building, Inpatient Building, Medical Teaching Building, and other architectural heritage and has preserved the original mixed Chinese and Western architectural styles. A combination of historical research, field investigation, and historic layering was adopted in the present study, drawing primarily on data from historical maps, satellite images from different periods, aerial photography from drones, architectural drawings, and other relevant historical data. Through case studies, methods for characterising and identifying the landscape and architectural heritage of mission hospitals were explored. Principles for the preservation and regeneration of the heritage of church hospitals were also proposed, with a view to providing a reference for the study and preservation of this type of heritage.

Predicting Anti-Coastal Reclamation Engagement: A Logistic Regression Analysis of Philippine Mainline Protestant Church-Members in Bacolod City

The Banago Coastal Reclamation Project is a 247-hectare reclamation initiative in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Proposed in August 2022, it is predicted to displace 6,000 families and damage surrounding mangrove ecosystems lining up coastlines of Banago, Bacolod. The political engagement of religious actors participating in anti-coastal reclamation movements has been evident in opposing such project, particularly in alliance-networks of mainline Protestant churches present in the area. In mainline Protestantism, the discourse on political participation involves integrating the practice of evangelism on the principles of social justice and ecological well-being. The focus of this study hinged on identifying the odds of political participation amongst mainline Protestant church-members in anti-coastal reclamation movements using logistic regression analysis. The study is only limited in exploring increments of political participation on five (5) Bacolod mainline Protestant churches – the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, United Methodist Church, Philippine Independent Church and the Salvation Army. The assumed predictor variables are personal resources, political motivational factors, group membership and demographic proximity. The logit model suggests church doctrinal stance (under the category of political motivation factors) is the only predictor which expresses a significant parameter for comparing the Political Participation with “Yes” response versus the Political Participation group with “No” response. A one-unit increase in the said predictor is associated with a 1.719 increase in the relative log odds for a mainline Protestant church-member to participate (or not participate) in anti-coastal reclamation movements.

MEIO AMBIENTE E SUSTENTABILIDADE: ENSINO E POSTURA DE QUATRO IGREJAS CRISTÃS DE ABAETETUBA

In the last decades, there has been a strong concern on the part of the communities of our planet in relation to the environment, due to the changes caused by man in nature or even by the responses given by herself to the actions undertaken by him. This article analyzes the position of four Christian churches in relation to the environment and sustainability, on how religious institutions are promoting knowledge to understand environmental dilemmas, in addition to checking if there are any projects and / or guidance on these issues. The focus of the research was the municipality of Abaetetuba, an Amazon region where there are companies that wish to explore the locality. The analysis of this research will be done through graphics whose interviewees are members of these churches. It is concluded that the principles of Christian formation, religion as a link, establishes as a defining element the rules and guidelines that awaken in the faithful the awareness of rational and wise coexistence with nature, for the development of an environment conducive to quality of life, defining social well-being.

Relevance of Language Learning Evangelism and Education in the Spread of Christianity in Nigeria

This study explores the significance of language learning evangelism and education in the dissemination of Christianity in Nigeria. With over 500 indigenous languages, Nigeria presents unique linguistic and cultural challenges for evangelism. This paper examines how language proficiency enhances effective communication of Christian teachings, fosters community engagement, and promotes cultural sensitivity. By analyzing existing literature, conducting surveys, and observing evangelistic practices in diverse communities, the research highlights the positive correlation between language learning and the successful spread of Christianity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance of language learning education in the spread and growth of Christianity in Nigeria. The sampled group consisted of 540 mainline Christian churches, Pentecostal/Neo-Pentecostal Movement and Christian religious leaders. The methodology adopted in this study is, survey research design. The population of the study consisted of 540 respondents comprising 313 Mainline Christian Church Members, 192 Pentecostal/Neo-Pentecostal Movement Members and 35 Christian Religious Leaders, from which 230 respondents was determined using YARO YAMENT formula and was sampled through stratified random sampling technique. A 30 item questionnaire was used in collecting data constructed, validated and its reliability of 0.84 determined by using CRONBACH alpha formula. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions; whereas the null hypothesis was tested with ANOVA. The study found that, language learning education is a necessary requirement for cross cultural evangelism as well as successful penetration of Christianity to all the ethnic groups available in Nigeria and the study found that the 15 factors identified, were relevance of language learning education and has immensely contributed to the growth and spread of Christianity in Nigeria. It was recommended that language is the life of every human group in the universe. Recommendations include integrating language education in evangelistic programs to enhance outreach efforts. More so, there was a positive relationship between the spread and growth of Christianity and language learning education in Nigeria.

Counter Hegemoni Alkitab Bahasa Panginyongan

Power relations are a reality that always exists in this life. Through various social realities that occur, many forms of power relations are created, one of which is through language. Gramsci understood such power relations in terms of Language Hegemony. Language Hegemony can occur in various places, including in the culture of Javanese life through Standard Javanese. Standard Javanese, in a process of “language construction,” gave birth to the Ngoko and Krama languages, which then gave rise to the concept of “Kramanization” of language. This “Kramanization” is what then made the “ngapak-ngapak” or Panginyongan language become hegemonized by Standard Javanese. The hegemony of Javanese was felt during the process of translating the Bible into the Panginyongan language. The Javanese Christian Church (GKJ), as one of the churches that uses Standard Javanese as its official church language, still feels it is difficult to make Panginyongan language its official church language. This article will highlight the extent of the role of the Panginyongan language Bible as a suggestion for counter-hegemony against the hegemony of Standard Javanese within the scope of the GKJ church in the Banyumasan area.

Innovations and Challenges in the Preservation of the Batak Language by the Protestant Batak Christian Huria Church (HKBP) among Youth in the Context of Urbanization in Jakarta

In the dynamic urban context of Jakarta, the preservation of regional languages faces significant challenges, especially among the younger generation. This study examines the role of the Huria Christian Batak Protestant Church (HKBP, a Protestant Batak Christian Church) in maintaining the existence of the Batak language in the midst of urbanization, by applying social identity theory to understand the dynamics of language preservation and cultural identity. Using a qualitative approach, the study involved in-depth interviews with 30 young congregations and 10 key HKBP figures, as well as participatory observation of church activities over a six-month period. The results of the analysis revealed that HKBP's main efforts in preserving the Batak language are centered on the use of the language in worship, with 75% of respondents stating the importance of this practice. The study also identified several additional initiatives, such as cultural seminars, cultural performances, and the use of traditional musical instruments in worship. The main challenges faced include the low enthusiasm of the younger generation (60% of respondents), the pressure of assimilation of metropolitan culture, and the limitations of effective preservation programs outside the context of worship. The findings emphasized the importance of developing more comprehensive and innovative strategies, including the potential use of digital technology and social media, to increase the appeal of the Batak language among urban youth. This research results in a religious community-based language preservation model that can be applied in urban contexts, offering a new perspective in urban sociolinguistic studies and cultural diversity management. The strategic recommendations are prepared to maximize the role of religious institutions as agents of cultural preservation, with a focus on synergy between churches, families, and urban Batak communities. This study highlights the potential and challenges of religious institutions in bridging tradition and modernity, as well as maintaining cultural identity amid urban social complexity. Although limited to the context of HKBP in Jakarta, these findings provide valuable insights for the study of minority language preservation in urban environments more broadly

Memaknai Kembali Misi Kristen terhadap Parmalim

This paper discusses the role of mission in the identity of the Christian church as well as the concept of mission that should go beyond the mere proclamation of the gospel to include an attitude of life, concrete help, struggle for human rights, and social involvement. Christian mission is often misinterpreted as an attempt to Christianise others. This research uses a qualitative research method with a literature study approach by analysing sources related to Christian mission towards Parmalim. The results show that Christian mission should emphasise love, peace, and justice, rather than simply Christianising others. In particular, in the context of ministry to the Parmalim, it is important to understand and respect their beliefs and establish a respectful dialogue. A re-understanding of Matthew 28:19-20 emphasises the importance of understanding the context, the overall message of the gospel, and the role of the church as an instrument of Christ's love and teaching. True Christian mission is to strive for peace, justice and love in the world, and to respect other religious beliefs as part of the call to realise the Kingdom of God on earth.

History and Historicism in ‘British’ Cyprus and ‘French’ Tunisia: A Comparative Study of Colonial Architecture Across the Mediterranean

British and French colonial administrations exploited various aspects of the histories of Cyprus and Tunisia to justify their occupation of those countries during the late 19th and 20th centuries. There, archaeologists unearthed Greek, Roman, Christian, and medieval artifacts that testified to the Mediterranean’s rich, complex history and the various cultural networks that have bound it together. As the same time, designers created complementary historicist architectures that facilitated self- aggrandizing presentations suggesting that the European colonial presence was both historically precedented and superior. Architecturally, such claims can be seen in many of the government buildings, Christian churches, and antiquities museums built by colonizers in each context. This article presents an account of these colonial-era built environments constructed in Cyprus and Tunisia by Britain and France (1878–1960 and 1881–1956, respectively) through several conceptions of the Mediterranean cultivated by colonizers, including Ancient Greek and Roman, early Christian, and medieval Crusader lenses. It does this through an underutilized comparative thematic method that crosses the boundaries of European empires and is thus an approach with potential for application to other colonial situations. Ultimately, the article invites the development of additional comparative projects that span empires, geographies, and themes, in order to facilitate an understanding of salient colonial-era built environments and global architectural histories that transcend national borders and colonialist rhetoric.

NATURAL THEOLOGY AND A PRIORI KNOWLEDGE OF GOD: A Lutheran Perspective on Gifford, Swinburne, and McGrath

As the father of the Protestant Church reformer, Luther has made limitations on natural theology. He has criticized natural theology, even at first he rejected natural theology. However, today we see that natural theology has been constructed by several Protestant Christian theologians, among others: Gifford, Swinburne and Alister MacGrath. The problem is whether natural theology is in accordance with the doctrine or teachings of the Protestant Christian Church? The author's purpose is to find out whether the teachings of natural theology are in accordance with the doctrine of the Protestant Church and how they are applied in the life of the congregation? The research method was carried out with a literature study with the following stages: (i) First, observing and analyzing Luther's criticism of natural theology. (ii) Second, observing the limits of natural theology constructed by Gifford, Swinburne and Alister. (iii) Third, the author analyzes each of their definitions of natural theology. This analysis and evaluation is based on Luther's critique of natural theology. For Gifford's natural theology, knowledge of God is limited to a priori knowledge only, because knowledge is obtained from nature and the human mind not from God's revelation, whereas for Swimburne and McGrath, knowledge from nature stems from faith in Christ Jesus so that a priori knowledge of God can be known. For Swimburne, rational knowledge of nature can support faith in God, while McGrath does not require rationality in believing in God. In this case it is different from Luther, because according to him, the emergence of absolute faith is only by special revelation from God and nothing else, nor as a companion, so as not to become an idol.

Belonging and longing to belong: being LGBTQ+ in the Church

ABSTRACT Belonging is an essential human need commonly understood to be the experience of being a valued part of a group or an insider. A sense of belonging, or belongingness, has been found to be influenced by structural, relational as well as cultural factors. However, despite the importance of this inherent need, not all humans experience belonging equally, and many suffer high risks for emotional and physical health issues as a result of loneliness and social isolation. These challenges to belong are particularly notable in historically socially marginalised cohorts including those who identify as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people (LGBTIQ+). Attaining a deep sense of belonging based on sexual orientations and gender identities is especially challenging in religious contexts including Christian churches where entrenched cultural and systemic forces such as heterosexism and cissexism act to contextualise the experiences of LGBTQ+ Christians and their faith. This paper seeks to raise the awareness of the precariousness of LGBTQ+ Christians in belonging within the Church and to invite further reflection and research on transforming faith communities in becoming more hospitable where all can flourish.

Pelatihan Dan Pengembangan Kualitas Bermusik Gereja Di Jemaat GMIT Gunung Zalmon Labuan Bajo, Klasis Flores Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur

The Music Service is an important part of the liturgy within the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor (GMIT). In this regard, it is necessary to carry out a training process to improve the quality of music, both for music players and other liturgy supporters. This process requires cooperation between various parties who have responsibilities and a desire to develop the quality of church music. IAKN Kupang, in this case the Faculty of Christian Religious Arts, also has a role in looking at the phenomena experienced by GMIT so that through coaching activities carried out through Community Service it can provide positive value for the development of church music within GMIT. Congregational singing, which is also something that is very dominant in worship, must be managed well so that worship can be of high quality

Empowering Nonprofits: The Role of Sustainable Spiritual Leadership in Driving Performance

This study investigates the impact of sustainable spiritual leadership on the performance of nonprofit organizations, specifically focusing on 64 churches within the East Java Christian Church (GKJW) Synod from 2021 to 2023. The research uses quantitative data and a multiple regression model to assess spiritual leadership across three dimensions: Pastoral Ministry, Church Ministry, and Leadership. The findings reveal that Church Ministry has a positive and significant effect on organizational performance, while Pastoral Ministry and Leadership have negative yet significant impacts. These results suggest that improving Pastoral Ministry and Leadership may temporarily reduce performance but is essential for fostering long-term sustainable spiritual leadership. On the other hand, Church Ministry produces immediate performance benefits. The study emphasizes the complexity of promoting sustainable spiritual leadership, as all three dimensions need to be harmonized for long-term organizational success and societal impact. The research offers empirical evidence, highlighting the need for balancing short-term performance outcomes with the development of sustainable leadership practices in nonprofit organizations.

Pentecostal-Charismatic Imagination and Representation of Jewish Festivals in a Chinese Context

Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity, a distinctive form of Christianity emphasizing ecstatic spiritual experiences and gifts, has been one of the fastest-growing religions worldwide. The reinvention of Jewish festivals has been on the rise within the Chinese Pentecostal-Charismatic context of Hong Kong. Through fieldwork and content analysis, this ethnographic study investigates Jewish festivals of the 611 Bread of Life Christian Church, one of the largest megachurches in Hong Kong. First, the article briefly describes Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Hong Kong and 611 Church’s background. Second, it analyzes the church’s three main Jewish festivals—Sukkot, Purim, and Passover—to depict and explore its festive practices. Third, the study engages in a theoretical discussion of this festive phenomenon. Moreover, it illustrates how 611 Church has contextualized its Jewish festivals explicitly and implicitly to minimize the contextual gap in Hong Kong. While 611 Church considers the significance of its festive restoration and reinvention from a theological lens, the article maintains that from a Chinese contextual lens, focusing on restoration and reinvention are crucial in helping the church pursue self-empowerment and discursive power, develop its community identity, and confront the discursive hegemony in the local Christian context.

The Literary Asceticism of Gregory Tsamblak: Tradition and Messages

The article examines the role and merit of Gregory Tsamblak in the social, political and spiritual context of the 15th century. That is when the Ottoman invasion of the Balkans raised the question of the Church of Christ’s consolidation and the unification of the Christian West and East as a way to stop the invasion. The struggle for the unity of the Church, which the metropolitan bishops of Kyiv and Lithuania turned into their mission, into an ascetic feat, also left a mark on Tsamblak’s literary work. As a brilliant orator and preacher of Christ, he confronted the schism between Catholicism and Orthodoxy and the Union of a Catholic model under the supremacy of the Pope, which was disastrous for Christendom in the face of the heathen invaders.

Thirty-four Years after "Leda Christiana". Misery and Splendour of the First Century of Coptic Art History

The course of the research of Egyptian Late Antique art was influenced for more than seven decades in a most unfortunate manner by the erroneous intrepretation of the archaeological context of the foruth century AD mythological reliefs discovered in the 1890s by Édouard Naville at Heracleopolis Magna (modern Ahnas). The misinterpretation of the find circumstances led to the postulate of a Christianisation of pagan themes in Coptic art and of their employment in the decoration of Christian churches. The actual architectural and iconographic context of mythological reliefs from Ahnas and other Egyptian Late Antique sites was identified by Hjalmar Torp in a 1969 paper in which he suggested that the mythological reliefs, as well as the contemporary carvings with Christian themes, came from pagan and Christian funerary edifices. Torp also pointed out the impact of Roman funerary iconography on the decoration of third-fifth century Egyptian tomb chapels. The present study discusses the trends prevailing in the research of Egyptian Late Antique art before and after 1969 from the special point of view of Torp’s seminal work. Particular attention is paid to the interconnected issues of chronology, social-cultural context, and quality stratification. The analysis of individual groups of sculptures, paintings, and luxury textiles presents new data for the assessment of the international context of Egyptian art in the Late Antique and early Byzantine periods as well as for the investigation of the transfiguration of Egyptian culture in Late Antiquity.

Theology Goes Public: Richard Shaull’s Dialogue with Public Issues, Social Sciences, and Ecumenism in “The New Revolutionary Mood in Latin America” (1962)

Since the arrival of Protestants in Brazil, the presence of Protestant educational institutions became a reality. Seminaries were founded at the end of the 19th century, focusing on the training of clergy without much concern for dialogue with other churches or with society at large. Public issues, ecumenism—through dialogue and cooperation between Protestants and Catholics—and interdisciplinary theological approaches only became current concerns in the mid-twentieth century, especially with liberation theologies—both Protestant and Catholic. Before that, however, one of the authors who was able to grasp these dimensions in his theological endeavour was Richard Shaull, who, through his theological method, opened a dialogue with the social sciences in order to interpret the reality in which he placed Christian action and mission. Through bibliographical research and document analysis, focusing on the reading of “The New Revolutionary Mood in Latin America”, a report on Latin America presented by Shaull to the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Missionary Board, the article aims to show Shaull’s theology, institutionally located, as one that thinks about public issues in dialogue with social sciences and considers its implications for and within Christian churches. In the light of studies on public theology, this paper presents Richard Shaull’s writings as a theological approach to the church, considering its ecumenical stance; to society, considering its most pressing issues of the time; and to academia, through the interdisciplinary dialogue he undertakes with the social sciences.

Between Idealism and Pragmatism: The Christian Churches’ humanitarian aid to Biafra in and from colonial São Tomé (1967-1970)

Between Idealism and Pragmatism: The Christian Churches’ humanitarian aid to Biafra in and from colonial São Tomé (1967-1970)

MARRIAGE IN THE METROPOLITANATE OF KARLOVCI IN THE LATE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

In the late eighteenth century, matrimony and marriage law in the Habsburg monarchy underwent changes due to the reforms of Emperor Joseph II and new political and social circumstances brought about by the war with France. These changes affected all Christian Churches, including the Metropolitanate of Karlovci. In the 1790s, Metropolitan Stefan Stratimirović was able to adapt to new circumstances and new laws, even though they were not always in accordance with his beliefs. This paper will present these changes and provide examples demonstrating how the episcopate of the Metropolitanate of Karlovci and its head responded to these new circumstances. It will also point to specificities that emerged during this time among Serbs and Orthodox Christians within the Habsburg monarchy.

Churches’ online ministries as strategic communication

ABSTRACT This article discusses the practices of Christian churches’ online ministries as acts of strategic communication, where the congregants’ needs and expectations are met, in a competitive market, without compromising the churches’ own identities. Six church leaders with a variety of denominational affiliations were interviewed for this study. Based on the interviews and previous research within the areas of strategic communication, marketization and marketing of religion, and online churches, a model is presented showing three main tracks along which online ministry may be considered. The first track is to consider it as a tool for branding and marketing, targeted at non-churchgoers, the second is to consider it as an additional service for existing congregants, and the third is to consider it in terms of a decentralized church. Although the primary reason for offering an online ministry may follow one of the three presented tracks, the interviews indicate that more users take advantage of the content presented online than just the targeted audience.