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The tradition of communicating with ancestral spirits remains a spiritual practice upheld by various indigenous communities in Indonesia. This tradition is considered a form of respect toward ancestors who are believed to maintain a spiritual connection with their descendants. This article aims to trace the historical roots and cultural meanings of communication with ancestral spirits and reflect on its implications for the Christian faith. Using a qualitative approach and literature review of spiritual practices among several ethnic groups, it was found that such communication is often rooted in relational values, reverence, and the search for life’s meaning. However, Christian reflection calls believers to distinguish between cultural honor and beliefs that may contradict faith in the living God. This article offers a dialogical and contextual approach to wisely and theologically understand and respond to this phenomenon.

This journal explores the role of the Church Unity Body in strengthening the unity of Christian faith. The Church, as the body of Christ composed of various members from diverse backgrounds and traditions, is called to unite in one faith, one teaching, and one way of life aligned with the teachings of Christ. This unity is crucial for maintaining harmony within the community of believers and for addressing social and theological challenges in the modern world.The role of the Church Unity Body is evident through Bible teaching based on enduring truth, participation in sacraments such as Holy Communion and Baptism, as well as collaboration among churches in social service and mission. In this context, the church functions not only as a place of worship but also as a community that supports spiritual growth and the well-being of its members. The unity of Christian faith requires mutual respect, forgiveness, and humility among church members. By strengthening this unity, the church can provide a clearer testimony to the world, demonstrating that in Christ, differences can be reconciled in love that transcends all. This article also highlights the importance of the church’s role in building a unity of faith that goes beyond denominational boundaries, within the framework of ecumenism, to realize the wholeness of the body of Christ and bring about transformation in the world.

Indonesia's diversity is a necessity to be denied, the deep-rooted Plurality must be maintained. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and Pancasila as the breath and pulse of the nation must be lived and live for the nation. Diversity as a gift of God is an extraordinary potential, but it is necessary to be aware of the potential for conflict, tearing the weaving of the golden thread of plurality. The Holy Father's apostolic trip to the UAE gave birth to a brotherhood document, an invitation to cooperation and interfaith dialogue with Imam Al Azhar Ahmad el-Tayeb. Similarly, what happened in Our Lady of Cirebon Parish as a research locus. According to the doctrinal teaching, the Church voices the placement of others as brothers. This qualitative method research aims to explore the relevance of Abu Dhabi documents to the services of Interfaith Relations and Parish Beliefs, the practice of religious moderation of the people, inhibiting factors, supporting factors, efforts to encourage supporting factors, and suppressing inhibiting factors. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with fourteen informants consisting of Catholics, representatives of each religion in Cirebon, representatives of Sundanese Wiwitan believers, and cultural experts using purposive sampling, observation, and documentation techniques. The results of the data show that twelve focuses of the Abu Dhabi document brotherhood have been applied in the service of the Sie Interfaith Relations and Parish Beliefs but have not been maximized and continue to be sought to be intact. Fanaticism, lack of team cohesiveness, and fear of the people are inhibiting factors. The Church has supported since the Second Vatican Council echoed interfaith cooperation. The Pastoral Focus of the Diocese of Bandung is a supporter in this study. So the effort is to initiate activities with fraternal nuances, and the role of the parish pastor in his pastoral mutual aid is to introduce documents to the grassroots. The answer to this study proves that the people of Cirebon can live harmoniously side by side with different ones. In line with the manuscript of Serat Carub Kandha through a philological approach, as a collective memory of the ancestral heritage in building a harmonious Cirebon.    

This journal explores the role of the Church Unity Body in strengthening the unity of Christian faith. The Church, as the body of Christ composed of various members from diverse backgrounds and traditions, is called to unite in one faith, one teaching, and one way of life aligned with the teachings of Christ. This unity is crucial for maintaining harmony within the community of believers and for addressing social and theological challenges in the modern world.The role of the Church Unity Body is evident through Bible teaching based on enduring truth, participation in sacraments such as Holy Communion and Baptism, as well as collaboration among churches in social service and mission. In this context, the church functions not only as a place of worship but also as a community that supports spiritual growth and the well-being of its members. The unity of Christian faith requires mutual respect, forgiveness, and humility among church members. By strengthening this unity, the church can provide a clearer testimony to the world, demonstrating that in Christ, differences can be reconciled in love that transcends all. This article also highlights the importance of the church’s role in building a unity of faith that goes beyond denominational boundaries, within the framework of ecumenism, to realize the wholeness of the body of Christ and bring about transformation in the world.

Indonesia's diversity is a necessity to be denied, the deep-rooted Plurality must be maintained. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and Pancasila as the breath and pulse of the nation must be lived and live for the nation. Diversity as a gift of God is an extraordinary potential, but it is necessary to be aware of the potential for conflict, tearing the weaving of the golden thread of plurality. The Holy Father's apostolic trip to the UAE gave birth to a brotherhood document, an invitation to cooperation and interfaith dialogue with Imam Al Azhar Ahmad el-Tayeb. Similarly, what happened in Our Lady of Cirebon Parish as a research locus. According to the doctrinal teaching, the Church voices the placement of others as brothers. This qualitative method research aims to explore the relevance of Abu Dhabi documents to the services of Interfaith Relations and Parish Beliefs, the practice of religious moderation of the people, inhibiting factors, supporting factors, efforts to encourage supporting factors, and suppressing inhibiting factors. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with fourteen informants consisting of Catholics, representatives of each religion in Cirebon, representatives of Sundanese Wiwitan believers, and cultural experts using purposive sampling, observation, and documentation techniques. The results of the data show that twelve focuses of the Abu Dhabi document brotherhood have been applied in the service of the Sie Interfaith Relations and Parish Beliefs but have not been maximized and continue to be sought to be intact. Fanaticism, lack of team cohesiveness, and fear of the people are inhibiting factors. The Church has supported since the Second Vatican Council echoed interfaith cooperation. The Pastoral Focus of the Diocese of Bandung is a supporter in this study. So the effort is to initiate activities with fraternal nuances, and the role of the parish pastor in his pastoral mutual aid is to introduce documents to the grassroots. The answer to this study proves that the people of Cirebon can live harmoniously side by side with different ones. In line with the manuscript of Serat Carub Kandha through a philological approach, as a collective memory of the ancestral heritage in building a harmonious Cirebon.    

The tongue is a small part of the body that holds significant power to influence both individual life and community well-being. James 3:1–12 provides a firm warning about the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue, depicting it as a fire, a world of evil, and deadly poison. This study aims to examine the meaning of controlling the tongue as a responsibility of Christian spirituality through a literature review and exegetical-hermeneutical analysis of James 3:1–12. This qualitative research employs primary data from the biblical text (Indonesian Bible Society version and the Greek text) and secondary data from commentaries, Christian ethics books, and theological journals. The findings indicate that controlling the tongue is a sign of spiritual maturity and an essential aspect of Christian discipline that must be continuously cultivated. Disciplined speech reflects living faith and serves as a means to foster love, truth, and peace within the community. This study highlights the need for churches and believers to integrate ethical speech as a core part of their witness in the world.  

This article examines the theological meaning of the concept of the new heaven and new earth based on Revelation 21:1-8, serving as a foundation for eternal hope for Christians. Through a qualitative theological approach, this study explores how the eschatological understanding influences the faith life and spiritual attitude of believers. The concept of the new heaven and new earth not only refers to the physical renewal of the universe at the end of time but also serves as a source of spiritual strength that fosters perseverance, faith, and hope in facing worldly struggles. Furthermore, this reflection emphasizes the role of the Church as the representation of the New Jerusalem, preparing the faithful for eternal fellowship with God. Thus, the promise of renewed creation functions as an ethical and existential foundation encouraging Christians to live faithfully, courageously, and with hope until the divine promise is fully realized. This article asserts that the hope in the new heaven and new earth has tangible implications for contemporary Christian life as a reflection of the already and yet-to-be-fulfilled Kingdom of God

The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two main sacraments in the Christian tradition, both carrying profound theological and spiritual significance. A sacrament contains two essential elements: an outward sign (such as water, bread, and wine) and a spiritual reality (namely, the grace of God given through the sign). A sacrament is not merely a symbol, but a means of communion with Christ that strengthens faith and bears witness to God’s grace. In Christian theology, a sacrament is broadly defined as a rite or religious ceremony performed to symbolize or help bring about a transformation in the lives of those who participate in it. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is one of the key sacraments in the Christian tradition, symbolizing the fellowship of believers with Christ through the shared consumption of bread and wine. Its meaning is profound, as it is not only a remembrance of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, but also an expression of faith and a deep reflection on the saving love of God. The Lord’s Supper also contains an eschatological meaning, pointing believers toward the future. In each celebration of the Lord’s Supper, the people of Christ anticipate the heavenly banquet at the end of the age.  

The resurrection of the body is a key foundation of the Christian faith, as it demonstrates the power of Jesus to overcome death and sin, and provides hope for life after death for His followers. This teaching is clearly presented in the Bible. Many people wonder about the condition of the soul after death. Whether the resurrection of the body is in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, how the resurrection process takes place, whether there is a difference between the resurrection for believers and unbelievers. This article therefore aims to provide an in-depth insight into the concept of bodily resurrection in the Bible, including key verses. The glorious resurrection of the body is the essence of Christian hope and a promise that changes the way believers view life and death. By understanding the Bible's teaching on resurrection, Christians can find comfort, motivation, and purpose in their lives, as well as confidence in a future filled with promise and glory. This article is expected to be a source of reflection and a deeper understanding of the resurrection of the body in the context of Christian faith.” This writing is done using a descriptive qualitative method, which is using literature from books or journal articles that have been made. The Bible teaches that death is not the end of everything, but rather a transition to the promised resurrection. This concept is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus.

As a community of believers, the church plays an important role in shaping the faith and character of Christians. A healthy church is marked by the growth of its congregation and the spiritual vitality of its members. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of a healthy church and evaluate how these traits impact the strengthening of believers' faith. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach and theological literature research, it was found that a healthy church possesses characteristics such as sound biblical teaching, genuine love for the congregation, servant leadership, active involvement of members according to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and a strong commitment to prayer and fellowship. For believers, a healthy church fosters dynamic spiritual growth, harmonious community life, and active participation in ministry and evangelism. Such churches are not merely places of worship; they also act as agents of real social transformation. Therefore, a well-functioning church will produce resilient, loving Christians who serve as a light to others.

The Toba Batak culture has a strong symbolic richness, especially in the traditional rituals of death which are full of theological and social meanings. One of the important symbols in the ceremony is Sijagaron, which literally means "guard" or "escort", and is used as a symbol of final respect to the deceased. This research aims to examine the meaning of Sijagaron through a contextual theological approach, by looking at how this symbol can be understood in the light of the Christian faith and its relevance in the lives of Toba Batak believers today. The method used is a descriptive qualitative study with a theological and anthropological approach. The results of the study show that Sijagaron contains Christian values such as love, fellowship, and respect for God's creation. From a contextual theological perspective, Sijagaron can be interpreted as a bridge between faith and culture, which shows that local cultural symbols can be a means of contextual evangelism. Thus, the culture of Sijagaron does not contradict the Christian faith, but rather enriches the people's understanding of the mystery of death and eternal life.

The church is not merely a place of worship; it is a community of believers who share a divine responsibility to help one another grow spiritually. In Indonesia, a nation rich in religious and cultural diversity, the church can serve as a strategic agent of both spiritual and social transformation. This paper explores the church’s holistic responsibility in fostering the spiritual growth of its members through intentional discipleship, character formation, biblical teaching, and mission-oriented leadership. Emphasis is placed on the importance of building a contextual and transformative discipleship model, especially in addressing current social challenges, particularly those related to the younger generation. A nurturing church will encourage its members to embody the values of Christ, becoming agents of change, sources of hope, and witnesses of God’s love among others. By fulfilling this calling, the church makes the Kingdom of God present in the world.  

This study aims to examine the existence of the Church in the context of salvation history from the perspective of systematic theology, focusing on the role and vocation of the ecclesia as the community of God's people. The background of this study departs from the belief that the Church is not just a religious institution, but has an existential and historical basis in God's saving work. The Church acts as an extension of Christ's mission which is continued in the power of the Holy Spirit. In this research, the author uses a qualitative method with a literature study approach. The data sources consist of the Holy Bible, theological books related to the title, as well as relevant theological journal articles. This research was conducted to understand the relationship between the Church's identity and its participation in salvation history, both dogmatically and functionally. The results show that the Church is called to be an active witness in the work of salvation, by carrying out prophetic, liturgical, and social functions. As an ecclesia, the Church is not just a collection of individual believers, but a community that lives in relationship with Christ as the Head. The discussion emphasizes that the Church has a mandate to live in unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolate, all of which are rooted in God's grace. In conclusion, the existence of the Church in salvation history is eschatological and missionary. The Church is called to be a sign and means of salvation, and to take part in the salvation of the world.

The Qur’an is the last sacred text sent down by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It was dispatched as a follow-up and conclusion to the earlier texts. There are clear resemblances between the teachings and messages present in the Qur’an and those in previous holy texts. Furthermore, the Qur’an stands as the most significant and unparalleled miracle bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad by Allah. It encompasses various miraculous features. Nonetheless, certain individuals, particularly non-believers, reject it as factual. They view the Qur’an as merely common discourse or a text produced by the Prophet Muhammad, lacking true importance or significance. Typically, the miracles of the Qur’an can be classified into various types, including its linguistic beauty, its scientific precision, its narratives of historical peoples, and others. This paper will examine the extraordinary characteristics of the Qur’an by analyzing its linguistic elements

This research aims to analyze the role of Abraham Kuyper's cultural mandate in the context of Christian Religious Education. Abraham Kuyper, a Dutch theologian and statesman, emphasized the importance of the cultural mandate as an integral part of the Christian faith, where believers are called to transform all aspects of life, including education, according to the principles of the Kingdom of God. This research uses a qualitative method with a theological-philosophical analysis approach to Kuyper's thought and its relevance to CRE. The research findings indicate that Kuyper's cultural mandate provides a strong theological foundation for CRE, emphasizing the integration of faith, science, and daily life. The concept of sphere sovereignty proposed by Kuyper also promotes a holistic approach in Christian Religious Education), where education focuses not only on spiritual aspects but also on the development of character, ethics, and social responsibility. Additionally, this study found that the implementation of the cultural mandate in CRE can strengthen Christian identity amidst pluralism and secularization. The implication of these findings is the importance of a CRE curriculum based on the Kuyperian vision, which emphasizes cultural transformation through education. This research contributes to the development of CRE that is relevant and contextual in addressing the challenges of the times.

This research is a theological study of Job's suffering. In order to make this suffering relevant to believers, one of the books that attracts attention to be discussed is the book of Job. Job's story is still a topic of conversation to this day when someone faces suffering. Suffering can be experienced by humans, both men and women, both young and old, rich and poor, even children. Every Christian person or family must have faced tragedies in their own lives, for example death, loss of property, illness, economic crisis and ect. Job was a man who was pious, honest, feared God and shunned evil and could experience severe and extreme suffering. The goal is that Christians are motivated to persist in the faith, when suffering is unavoidable.                 Based on a theological study of the story of Job's suffering, several correct understandings of the emergence of suffering are obtained which are relevant for the lives of Christian families who experience suffering and strengthen Christian families who experience suffering. The Christian family cannot be separated from the reality of suffering and one day the Christian's faith will be tested by God. However, this suffering should make you increasingly know God and glorify Him.

This study examines the concept of the Day of Judgment in Islam based on the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ hadiths, which serve as primary sources explaining the minor and major signs preceding the end times, providing moral and spiritual guidance for Muslims. Using a qualitative method and library research, authentic hadiths from collections such as Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim were thematically analyzed to understand their relevance and moral messages. The findings confirm that the Day of Judgment is an inevitable event preceded by signs meant to warn believers to strengthen their faith and spiritual readiness amid moral decline and the loss of religious knowledge due to the passing of scholars. Friday holds a special status as a sacred day and the time when the Day of Judgment will occur, while certain groups of steadfast and sincere believers will receive Allah’s protection on that day. Overall, these teachings emphasize the importance of maintaining faith, righteous deeds, and Islamic brotherhood as essential preparation for salvation in both this world and the hereafter.

Many individuals, including those who profess faith, often struggle to endure the various forms of suffering encountered in life, primarily because it is difficult for human beings to accept pain and trials as part of their earthly journey. As a result, some fail to attain the promise of eternal happiness at the culmination of their lives. According to the Christian faith, true and lasting happiness is not achieved through worldly comfort but is reserved only for those who consistently read and meditate on the Scriptures, whether privately or in communal settings, who strive to preserve holiness in their daily lives, who remain faithful in following Jesus even until death, and who demonstrate obedience to God’s Word. Such believers will not experience eternal death but are granted the privilege to enter the holy city and participate in the joyous banquet of Christ. The purpose of this research is to explore the pathway toward attaining genuine happiness, both in earthly life and ultimately in the holy city of God, which requires a willingness to endure even physical suffering, potentially unto death. To ensure reliable findings, the study employs a qualitative methodology with a grammatical-textual approach combined with interviews. The findings indicate that believers who comprehend the meaning of the Greek concept “μακάριος” (makarios) as it appears in the Book of Revelation will gain firm confidence to endure suffering, maintaining faith and perseverance, even if that perseverance leads to martyrdom for the sake of Christ Jesus.

The development of information technology, particularly the internet and social media, has significantly impacted how the Church functions and interacts with its congregation. This transformation is not only technological but also touches upon fundamental theological aspects. This article aims to examine the changes in the meaning, function, and identity of the Church in the context of digitalization, with a focus on comparing the pre-internet and post-internet eras. Through a systematic theological approach, this analysis explores how the Church, as a community of faith and a spiritual organism, must re-understand its existence amidst the increasingly dominant presence of digital media in believers' lives.In the pre-internet era, church life revolved around physical gatherings, conventional liturgies, and direct spiritual authority. However, in the digital age, new forms of ministry have emerged, such as online worship services, virtual communities, and the dissemination of the Word through social media and other digital platforms. These changes offer opportunities to reach a broader audience but also pose serious challenges such as digital individualism, theological distortion, and a crisis of spiritual authority.This article concludes that the Church needs to develop adaptive ministry strategies while remaining faithful to the essence of Christian spirituality. By maintaining a balance between online and offline ministries and strengthening theological understanding amidst the rapid flow of information, the Church can remain relevant and effective in carrying out its mission.

The Book of Psalms is an important part of the Old Testament worship and theology tradition, reflecting the dynamics of human emotions in their relationship with God. Psalms 146-150 specifically highlight aspects of prayer and praise as expressions of joyful and hopeful faith. This study aims to interpret theologically how these five psalms describe the emotional response of believers to the work and character of God. With an exegetical and biblical theological approach, this study finds that Psalms 146-150 form a climax in the structure of the Book of Psalms, emphasizing the supremacy of praise as the primary form of worship. In addition, this study highlights how the emotional aspects of these psalms function not only as a reflection of individual faith experiences but also as a collective appeal for the community of believers. Thus, Psalms 146-150 emphasize that prayer and praise are the primary means of expressing the relationship between humans and God, while inspiring a spiritual life centered on worship.