Christ Research Articles

Peran Tim Kontekstual Dalam Pelayanan Anak Suku Sunda: Upaya Memperkenalkan Isa Al-Masih Sebagai Satu-Satunya Jalan Keselamatan

This article discusses the changes experienced by Sundanese children during puberty and the important role of the gospel spirit companion in guiding them. Sundanese society has unique and interesting characteristics that must be observed in its spiritual growth and understanding of the concept of salvation. Although Sundanese society already has good morals and a high spirit of tolerance, to achieve soul salvation according to the concept of Christian salvation, faith in Jesus Christ is needed. Unfortunately, children are often neglected in evangelism, and the lack of service to them is a problem that must be overcome. Therefore, the "Child Reureuh" activity was held to provide an understanding of the teachings of the Bible and the concept of salvation to Sundanese children. The research method used was qualitative descriptive, and this activity was carried out at Wisma Karang Tumaritis, Parompong, West Bandung. Involving children in evangelism is expected to build a strong foundation of faith from an early age and have a positive impact on their lives. This article aims to explore the role of contextual teams in introducing the love of Jesus Christ to Sundanese children and its impact on their ministry, as well as provide a comprehensive overview of contextual approaches in religious and humanitarian contexts.

Contextual Christology in the phrase ‘apo isa elmaseh’ and the word ‘opo’

This study examines the Christological meaning of the phrase ‘Apo Isa Elmaseh’ and the word ‘Opo’ referring to as the ‘Lord Jesus Christ’ in catechesis books and Bibles in the Minahasa language with Tontemboan and Tombulu dialects. A translation model approach in contextual theology was used to show that the translation process is a way of determining the contextual theology that occurs dialogically between zendeling missionary, translators and indigenous teachers living in Minahasa culture. The result shows that these phrases and words are used in the Minahasa religion to express the Divinity of Christ, who is believed to be Apo Kasuruan Wangko (God of Origin of Life), Apo/Opo and the Great Ancestor, who is always close to the community and the universe. This finding has broad implications to other contexts in Indonesia where with a serious contextual approach, genuine theological knowledge could be explored.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article supplies a new contribution to the cultural, anthropological and theological discussion of Apo Isa Elmaseh to Minahasan-Christian. ‘apo’ or ‘opo’ and ‘Apo’ or ‘Opo’ expresses the spiritual appreciation of human existence in the continuity of history and community life in this region. Furthermore, the finding encourages other disciplines to investigate any issue that relates to culture, religion and theology.

Śrīkhṛṣṭa-saṃgītā : William Hodge Mill’s Sanskrit Christian Purāṇa

In the wake of Christian missionaries’ arrival in India, a profound engagement with Sanskrit ensued, resulting in the emergence of ‘Church Sanskrit’ Literature. This genre not only witnessed translations of sacred texts like the Bible but also spawned original compositions centered on Jesus Christ, serving as a vehicle for propagating the Christian faith among the Sanskrit-knowing intelligentsia. Notably, figures like William Hodge Mill played a pivotal role, crafting monumental works such as the Śrīkhṛṣṭa-saṃgītā, which garnered acclaim for its literary and scholarly merits, transcending even revered indologists of the time. His mastery of Sanskrit reached such extraordinary heights that Kamlākānta Vidyālaṅkār, a prominent Bengali scholar, bestowed upon him unprecedented praise, elevating him above esteemed figures like William Jones, William Carey, and James Colebrooke. Vidyālaṅkār’s proclamation likened him to the rebirth of Kālidāsa, the revered ancient poet, affirming the unparalleled excellence of his Sanskrit scholarship. Meanwhile, the Śrīkhṛṣṭa-saṃgītā, while serving as a historical testament to the life of Jesus Christ, transcends mere documentation. Rooted in Western interpretations of the Gospels, it stands as a literary masterpiece, blending historical narrative with artistic expression in a manner reminiscent of the belletristic tradition. The research paper discusses the unique attributes of the Śrīkhṛṣṭa-saṃgītā through the lens of Sanskrit Poetics, exploring its historical narrative while elucidating its impact on nineteenth-century Indian society. Through meticulous analysis, it seeks to unravel the interplay between literary artistry and historical accuracy in this seminal work, shedding light on the cultural and intellectual landscape shaped by ‘Church Sanskrit’ literature. By synthesizing scholarly inquiry with linguistic and literary expertise, this paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the profound influence of Christian narratives in Sanskrit form on the socio-cultural fabric of colonial India.

Upaya Edukasi Pendidik Kristen Dalam Meningkatkan Toleransi Beragama Di NKRI Kepada Peserta Didik SMP Satap 2 Kuala Pembuang Desa Jahitan Kecamatan Seruyan Hilir, Kabupaten Seruyan, Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah

Indonesia is a country rich in culture, natural wealth, race,ethnicity and religion. With this wealth, the symbol of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika was created, which means that even thought we are different, we are still one. With this, educators collaborate in the school enviromment and in the wider community which has many differences in order to anticipate and overcome the widespread intolerance within the republic of Indonesia. The locus of this research was carried out at State Middle School (SMP) Santap 2 Kuala pembuang , aschool located in Jahitan Village, Seruyan Hilir District, Seruyan Regency, Central Kalimantan Province. This is the author’s place toprovide community service. This research activity was carried out using direct observation methods through surveys, interviews and education supported by literature studies, religious tolerance means appreciating, respecting and distinguishing between existing religions. In this regard, Charistian and non-Christian aducators pray to provide lots of education about tolerance so that they become patriotic indivuduals. Christian education plays an important role in making the Indonesian nation a harmonious country like the Lord Jesus taught about loving your neighbors. With real love, people will slowly get to know the person of Jesus, Indonesia is a multicultural country that has very abundant wealth in terms of natural wealth, ethnicity, race and even religion. Departed by making students able to accept the differences that exist in the school environment and the community of the Republic of Indonesia.

Evangelical Identity in Anglicanism

Evangelical identity has been much contested over the years, with the meaning of the term being understood differently in different times and contexts. This paper makes the case that, in the Anglican context at least, there is a consistent underlying Evangelical identity which is about an emphasis on biblical preaching that calls for conversion to Jesus Christ and encourages holiness of life, lived out in the context of Anglican polity and practice.

Significance of Water in the Life and Death of the Christian Man: History of Swimming and Water Rescue

Water is an essential symbol of life "Without water, life would not exist", an antithesis is found when it can also take away your life, drowning. Every life lost has a countless value, a famous author portrayed this significance quoting "I believe that the life of a man is superior to all the riches that fortune can provide". Man, and water have had a relationship since the beginning of their existence being noted for its value and importance in Christianity. In the Old Testament with Isaiah (I 40.3-5) he mentioned water as a symbol of God's Spirit and allegory to his work (Mt 3.13-17). With Jesus Christ, water for people from Israel, was known to be as a sign of ablution. Its significance in the Christian faith is through baptism, with which the preaching of Jesus begins. Baptism comes from the Greek "baptisma" (immersion-act of immersing). The failure to submerge, with the etymological origin of baptism, is the accident called drowning.

The Mediating Mission of The Holy Spirit – Some Theological Models

esus Christ, going to the Father, sent his disciples the Holy Spirit, who was to remind them and explain everything. The same Holy Spirit continues to act in the Church, sanctifying the Mystical Body of Christ. The first Paraclete is Jesus Christ himself, who undertook a salvific mission and became a mediator between God and people. The Holy Spirit sent by Christ is the second Paraclete fulfilling the mediating mission. The Holy Spirit works both in the Immanent Trinity (God’s inner life) and in the Economic Trinity (God’s saving action in history). Interesting in this context are the theological models developed by, among others, Heribert Mühlen, Joseph Ratzinger, Walter Kasper, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Matthias Joseph Scheeben, Maximilian Maria Kolbe and René Laurentin, whose concepts have been briefly presented in the above article. The mediating mission of the Holy Spirit is oriented Christocentric and is revealed during the most important salvation events performed by Jesus Christ (incarnation, baptism in the Jordan, proclamation of the Kingdom of God, death and resurrection). Moreover, the Holy Spirit sanctifies the Church, connecting people with God and people with each other. This action is inscribed in the ontic mediation of Jesus Christ, who has two natures – Divine and human, and in the functional mediation of the Savior (royal, prophetic and priestly functions). Undoubtedly, the last decades have been characterized by a great revival among theologians who deal with pneumatology, especially in the dimension of the mediating mission of the Holy Spirit.

Sources of Inspiration in Understanding Missionary Spirituality in the Thought of John Paul II

The concept of missionary spirituality falls within the mainstream of Christian spirituality. John Paul II understands it in the personalistic and Christological perspective. According to the Pope’s thought, the missionary spirituality is the fruit of the total submission to the Holy Spirit in the missionary’s aim to become permanently conformed to Christ. This attitude results from a deep union with the Holy Trinity in the experience of the Father through Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit. Imitating Christ, the preacher of the Gospel, is essential for an authentic missionary spirituality. Following the ideal of missionary spirituality leads to an authentic inculturation, love of the Church, shapes the proper spirit of prayer and missionary asceticism, dynamises apostolic commitment and lays the foundations for a true dialogue, inseparable from the missionary activity.

Towards an Inclusive and Contextual Church in Indonesia: An Investigation

As the body of Christ the Church has to be planted and landed in the life of the people around the world. As the part of the Kingdom of God, the world believe and confess the present of God through the ministry of the church. In order to declare the Kingdom of God in this world, the church has to be an inclusive church and in the same time become contextual church. To be inclusive means that the church be opened to all people. Church is not about nation, ethnic, skin color, economy (rich or poor), gender or whatever separated people, one to another. The church is about faith and believes to God the Father, The Son Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. The people is one as the body of Christ, and has to be served by the church in her ministry and hospitality. Used the qualitative research, this article describes that the church has to be inclusive; the church also has to be contextualized in people life and context. Becomes contextual church means the church is serving, planting and growing in the people context itself, teaching and preaching the Gospel in the people context. The church has to be accepted in all people context around the world.

Lyding – ’n dringende aansporing: 1 Petrus 4:12–19 eksegeties nuut ondersoek

Suffering – an urgent exhortation: 1 Peter 4:12–19 exegetically re-examined. This article provides a new exegetical examination of the specific way Peter encourages the readers in 1 Peter 4:12–19 to remain faithful amid suffering. In this article, the grammatical-historical model, as practiced in the Reformed tradition, is followed in the exegesis. Peter exhorts the readers in 1 Peter 4:12–19 to be willing to suffer as Christians. He reinforces his exhortation by indicating that faithfulness amid suffering confirms the equipment of the Spirit and that faithfulness will result in joy when Christ’s glory is revealed. He warns that unfaithfulness will result in judgement.Contribution: This article highlights Peter’s encouragement to his readers in 1 Peter 4:12–19 and the urgency of this encouragement. It indicates that the readers, as chosen strangers of the diaspora, are encouraged in this thought unit to unite with Jesus Christ amid suffering and glorify God. This exhortation is reinforced in 1 Peter 4:12–19 by using the Old Testament to illustrate the consequences of faithfulness and of unfaithfulness.

Ecumenical Footprints in Nigeria: Pathways and Detours in Search of Christian Unity

The unity of the Persons of the Trinity is the source and highest exemplar of Christian unity which all ecumenical initiatives seek. During his earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ prayed for the unity of Christians (John 17:21). This prayer of Jesus furnishes us with the fundamental inspiration for the ecumenical movement in all its dimensions of expression. Right from the beginning, the Christian church has experienced rifts in both the West and the East. The modern ecumenical movement is an attempt to restore Christian unity against the background of 16th century divisions attendant upon the Protestant Reformation. It is also conducted in hindsight of the Protestant Reformation that the 19th and 20th century missionary activities of Christian churches from Europe in Nigeria took place. Several historical factors have shaped the successes and failures of significant missionary endeavors. This article highlights a few of those historical factors in a bid to identify the roots of discord and footprints of ecumenism at the beginning of the establishment of Christian churches in Nigeria. The goal intended to be realized through this historical excursus is to engender a livelier ecumenical hope for Christian unity in Nigeria while maintaining the already-achieved progress made so far, as well as countering further divisions.

Experiences of leaving “high-cost” religious groups and the concept of the “biographical trajectory”: relevance for social work

ABSTRACT In this article, we make the case for the theoretical and practical usage of the concept of the “biographical trajectory” (Riemann & Schütze, 1991, p. 342; Schütze, 1999) in social work practice with people who have left “high-cost” religious groups. We illustrate this through our analysis of the life stories and biographical trajectories of three individuals who have disaffiliated from either the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) or the Jehovah’s Witnesses. We discuss how their biographical trajectory developed during the time they were members of their specific religious group, and how they are addressing it through their disaffiliation. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

Problematizing Confession and Forgiveness in Prophetic Pentecostal Christianity: A Case Study of Rabboni Centre Ministries

During COVID lockdown the practice of confession was one of the aspects of the services at Rabboni Centre Ministries, a Prophetic Pentecostal Church, which changed significantly. People had to write their confessions and e-mail them to the church. These were then read out in the middle of various weekday services by a pastor who assured people that the Prophet and God forgave them. The Prophet and founder, Lesego Daniel proclaimed in January 2022 that people can only be set free through this public form of confession, thus making confession far more important in the church than it has ever been. Using discourse analysis this article examines the theological understanding of confessions expressed by followers in early 2023 and finds that they believed that their forgiveness was primarily dependent on the grace of the Prophet. Only some people believed that forgiveness from God was also necessary. Jesus Christ was not mentioned in any of the confessions and was not understood as the one who saves believers from sin and God's judgment. Confession and forgiveness were understood to be the central mechanism that allowed people to be restored to the Rabboni community and the Prophet. Using Bourdieu's notions of habitus, dispositions, and symbolic violence as a theoretical lens, this article argues that the church has established its own habitus in which the symbolic violence of dependence on the Prophet for forgiveness is understood as part of the disposition and power dynamics within the habitus of the church. By using this theoretical lens, the article aims to answer the question why believers conform to the teaching of the Prophet which makes them so dependent on him.

Pastoral Ministry

Who is a Pastor, what is Ministry, what is Pastoral Ministry? Pastor: Is a clergyman /servant of God who given the gift and authority to guide people to GOD and his ways and conduct religious worship. Ministry: Is any planned institution that has a leader who may be a pastor to lead others into Christ and his ways. Pastoral Ministry: Is a task given to a pastor in a ministry to guide and lead others to Christ Jesus and his ways.

Afrofuturist Worlds: The Diseased Colonial Imagination and Christian Hope

This article argues that the cultural tradition of Afrofuturism offers one potential solution to the diseased Christian colonial imagination diagnosed in the work of Willie James Jennings. This diseased imagination buttresses structures of domination after colonization and creates the self-sufficient white man as an anthropological norm. Afrofuturism names an emerging cultural tradition across different media that explores potential futures in response to Black suffering. As a conversation partner for this tradition, the theology of Edward Schillebeeckx critically engages the eschatological images of the New Testament to depict Christian discipleship as practical world building. This praxis dismantles violence threatening the humanum, the new humanity announced by Jesus of Nazareth. As an example of the potential resources offered by Afrofuturism, Janelle Monáe’s multi-media Dirty Computer project evinces a practical hope reimagining social life and humanity beyond the world built by colonization, thus inspiring a decolonial Christian praxis based on eschatological hope.

Katekese Sekolah Menengah Mengenai Yesus Sebagai Sahabat Sejati dan Tokoh Idola Pada Peserta Didik Kelas XA SMAK Frateran Malang

Young people often idolize models or idols regarding their lifestyle and charm. It would be wonderful if that fascination was directed towards Jesus Christ, the Savior. Admiration for these individuals is often driven by their exceptional values, traits, character, abilities or appearance, which embody the aspirations and aspirations of the admirer. This admiration can also lead to a longing for a relationship with the idolized figure, either directly or indirectly. The research methodology used is a qualitative method. The data used in this research was collected from news sources, books, and journals. The findings in this study conclude that what is formulated as the main problem is answered that catechesis on "Jesus as a true friend and idol figure" can affect the depth of faith and real action in the lives of students. This finding is also a very meaningful input for Catholic Religious Education teachers who become catechesis facilitators in schools to be more proactive and skillful in delivering teaching materials.

A Pentecostal theological perspective on ecofeminism

ABSTRACT The primary concern of ecofeminism is cultural schismatic dichotomies that position nature and women as subordinate, to the advantage and entrenchment of dominant powers. This article draws on the work of Pentecostal theologian Frank Macchia to propose the underlying issue is improper relations between created and divine, manifested as improper relations within creation. The Spirit of Christ – the overflowing love of God – brings creation into right relation with God and so with each other and non-human creation. Jesus Christ, by the Spirit, is the inauguration of these right relations, dissolving the core dichotomy of creation and Creator. Christ poured out His Spirit, for all of creation to participate in this relation through the self-giving vocation of humanity. Pentecostal churches – communities of graced relations – can expand their missional imagination and be primary witnesses to this vocation through the Spirit-empowered communal practices of contrition and repentance, the Lord's Supper, and prayer.

Difficult texts: the author and content of the commandment in 1 John 3.23

Three interpretative problems with 1 John 3.23 are addressed. First, it is suggested that the subject of the verse changes halfway through, from ‘God’ to ‘Jesus Christ’. Second, belief ‘in the name’ of Jesus is taken to mean the acknowledgement of Jesus’ ultimate significance. Third, the single command both to believe and to love one another is suggested to be a way of opening up the life of the disciple to the acceptance of Jesus’ ultimate significance and a way in which such acceptance can be measured or deduced.

Trajectories of Mizo tribal historiography

The British colonizers, while writing about Mizoram and Mizo history, stressed their achievements in uplifting the Mizo community. Christian missionaries from Wales landed in Mizoram after the British colonizers annexed the land. They also followed the British administrators’ patronizing way of writing Mizo history. They saw the Mizo people as savage, and unsaved who needed the Gospel. They viewed Mizo society as one that needed a complete transformation. The first-generation Mizo Christians, too, looked at Mizo society from the Western lens. That was because missionaries trained them to be as Western as possible. A significant shift in Mizo Christian historiography emerged in the 1990s, emphasizing that tribal communities accepted Jesus Christ not because of external factors such as the arrival of missionaries from a foreign country, but because God resides in their hearts and that the Holy Spirit inspired them to believe in Jesus Christ, whoever the agent was.

Conceptual Dichotomy “Word of God – Human Word” in the Biblical Discourse

The article deals with the study of the concept “word” as a basic one in the Holy Scripture. The Bible as a precedent text has always attracted researchers’ attention and still remains topical. It provokes interest as it renders sacral conceptual paradigm to the fullest. The article deals with cognitive linguistic modeling of the mentioned concept in the Biblical discourse, considering binary opposition “word of God – human word”. Cognitive meanings of the nuclear and peripheral concept zones, which are represented in the forms of notional, figurative and evaluative information, have been revealed in the course of study. Its nucleus contains factual and conceptual information, within which two components are characterized: linguistic and theological. The nomens “group of sounds”, “a language unit”, “speech”, “language”,”talk” and “conversation” represent the linguistic nature of a word. The lexemes “Logos”, “Gospel”, “the expressed or manifested mind and will of God”, “Jesus Christ” and “Holy Scripture” verbalize the theological component. A range of senses of the concept “word” has been singled out and analyzed, which often constitute whole microcontexts in the Biblical discourse. The peripheral zone of the concept “word” has been analyzed, that is represented as imagery and value information. The value information has been constructed on the opposition of the positive and negative connotations of the concept “word”. The imagery information naturally complements the notional one mostly by using the conceptual metaphor. The concept “word” in the Biblical discourse has been interpreted through comparison of dichotomies “sacral – profane”, “eternal – temporary”, “ideal – real”, “transcendental – immanent”, which manifest the extreme opposition “Word of God – human word”.