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Christian Religious Education (PAK) plays a crucial role in helping students develop faith based on the truth of God's Word. Therefore, a theological foundation plays a crucial role in the implementation of PAK, ensuring that educational activities are not only focused on knowledge transfer but also directed toward holistically shaping character and strengthening students' faith. This article aims to examine the theological foundation of Christian Religious Education in the process of developing students' faith based on Christian teachings. The method used in this study is literature analysis, examining various theological sources, the Bible, and writings related to Christian education. The findings of this study indicate that the theological foundation of PAK stems from God's calling as a true educator, the example of Jesus Christ as the Primary Teacher, and the role of the Holy Spirit in fostering and maintaining faith. Christian Religious Education based on strong theology can help students experience true growth in faith, internalize Christian values, and implement them in their daily lives.

Jesus’ declaration “I am the gate” in John 10:7-9 is a rich theological metaphor that holds significant meaning for both Christological reflection and contemporary pastoral ministry. This article aims to examine the meaning of this statement through a biblical exegetical approach and pastoral theology. The research employs a qualitative method based on literary analysis, including a study of the Greek text and a contextual reading of the Gospel of John. The findings indicate that the metaphor of the “gate” emphasizes Jesus’ identity as the sole way to salvation and as the source of abundant life for believers. Moreover, this image highlights Christ’s pastoral function in granting access to a living relationship between God and humanity while providing protection and guidance for His flock. The pastoral implications of this text invite church ministers to imitate Christ as the gate by fostering openness, offering spiritual security, and promoting a liberating form of pastoral care. Thus, John 10:7–9 not only conveys profound theological insights but also offers a relevant pastoral paradigm for the Church’s mission in the contemporary context.

The debate concerning the relationship between faith (īmān) and deeds (ʿamal) constitutes one of the central issues in the history of Islamic theology, generating diverse perspectives among theological schools. This study aims to comparatively analyze the epistemology of deeds in three classical Islamic theological traditions: Khawarij, Murji’ah, and Ahlussunnah. The research employs a qualitative approach using the integrative literature review method, examining classical works of ʿilm al-kalām alongside contemporary academic studies. The data were analyzed through data reduction, thematic categorization, and comparative analysis to identify differences in the epistemological frameworks used to understand the relationship between faith and deeds. The findings indicate that the Khawarij developed a textual–legalistic epistemology that considers deeds an essential component of faith, thereby viewing perpetrators of major sins as having exited the state of faith. In contrast, the Murji’ah developed a theological–rational epistemology that separates faith from deeds and postpones judgment regarding major sinners to God’s ultimate decision. Meanwhile, Ahlussunnah formulated an integrative epistemology that combines belief in the heart, verbal affirmation, and deeds within the structure of faith without declaring major sinners as unbelievers. This study highlights that differences in the concept of deeds in Islamic theology are not merely doctrinal but also reflect distinct epistemological frameworks in interpreting religious sources. The findings contribute conceptually to the study of ʿilm al-kalām by offering a comparative mapping of the epistemology of deeds across three major theological traditions in Islam.

This study discusses the importance of family-focused Christian theology in building children's character in the digital era through the Christian Religious Education (PAK) approach. The transformation of information and communication technology has brought major changes, including in the fields of education and character formation. The digital era provides opportunities to increase knowledge and access to learning, but also raises challenges in the form of weakening moral values, integrity, and relationships within the family. The family as a divine institution has a primary role in teaching Christian values ​​through role models, communication, and direct experience. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive-analytical approach, which reviews literature and observations of Christian education practices both in families and schools. The results show that families have an important role in developing children's faith and character, while PAK serves as a link between faith education at home and formal education at school. PAK is considered relevant because it can unite students' cognitive, affective, and conative aspects in facing the influence of digital culture. Overall, family-based Christian theology supported by PAK has great relevance in shaping a young generation with integrity, critical thinking, and character. This approach not only instills knowledge of faith but also prepares students to become responsible and wise leaders in utilizing technology in accordance with Christian values.

This study examines the role of understanding Christian theology in improving the quality of Christian Religious Education (CRE) learning. The focus of the study is how theological foundations can shape students’ character, morals, and spiritual development, as well as how teachers’ instructional strategies can support the achievement of these learning outcomes optimally and sustainably. The method used is a qualitative literature review, analyzing various relevant books and journal articles related to CRE, teaching approaches, and the integration of faith values into the educational curriculum. The findings indicate that mastery of Christian theology serves as an essential foundation in learning, as it enables students to understand their faith deeply while also internalizing Christian principles in their daily lives. In addition, interactive, contextual, and participatory learning methods have been shown to increase student engagement and motivation in the learning process. The role of the teacher as a moral and spiritual role model is also a key factor in strengthening the internalization of these values. Thus, an understanding of Christian theology not only supports cognitive aspects but also contributes to shaping students’ character and ethical behavior, making CRE learning transformational and holistic.

The phenomenon of megachurches represents one of the most significant developments in contemporary Christianity, reflecting shifts in church organizational structures, leadership patterns, and engagement with modern culture. Despite their rapid growth, megachurches have drawn criticism, particularly regarding reliance on charismatic leadership, the prominence of prosperity theology narratives, and the potential weakening of communal dimensions in church life. This study aims to analyze the megachurch phenomenon through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the sociology of religion and ecclesiological reflection. Employing a qualitative method, this research utilizes literature analysis and a phenomenological approach to understand leadership dynamics and religious practices within large church contexts. The findings indicate that megachurch growth is driven by a combination of charismatic leadership, complex organizational systems, and adaptation to contemporary culture, including digitalization and religious consumerism. However, this model also generates tension with New Testament ecclesiological principles that emphasize participatory community and servant leadership. This study contributes to practical theology by offering an integrative analysis and provides a reflective basis for churches to evaluate their organizational forms and leadership practices in light of foundational theological principles.  

The purpose of this study is to analyze Mohammed Ghaly's thoughts from a theological and legal perspective on disability and its implications for social inclusion. This research uses a qualitative approach based on literature studies with in-depth analysis of primary Islamic sources such as the Qur'an, hadith, and tafsir, kalam, and fiqh literature from various periods. Ghaly seeks to reveal the normative attitude of this religion towards persons with disabilities and its implications for social inclusion. The analysis utilizes contemporary disability studies to examine Ghaly's concepts in Islamic theology and law regarding the inherent nature and fundamental rights of persons with disabilities. However, he also emphasizes the need for new interpretations and contextualizations of this textual heritage based on the values of justice, inclusion, and empowerment. The findings of this study show that there is a stigma associated with disability due to the conflict between Islamic idealism and social reality. Nevertheless, the main principles and laws of Islam provide strong normative guidance for the dignity of persons with disabilities.

The purpose of this study is to analyze Mohammed Ghaly's thoughts from a theological and legal perspective on disability and its implications for social inclusion. This research uses a qualitative approach based on literature studies with in-depth analysis of primary Islamic sources such as the Qur'an, hadith, and tafsir, kalam, and fiqh literature from various periods. Ghaly seeks to reveal the normative attitude of this religion towards persons with disabilities and its implications for social inclusion. The analysis utilizes contemporary disability studies to examine Ghaly's concepts in Islamic theology and law regarding the inherent nature and fundamental rights of persons with disabilities. However, he also emphasizes the need for new interpretations and contextualizations of this textual heritage based on the values of justice, inclusion, and empowerment. The findings of this study show that there is a stigma associated with disability due to the conflict between Islamic idealism and social reality. Nevertheless, the main principles and laws of Islam provide strong normative guidance for the dignity of persons with disabilities.

This study analyzes the construction of Catholic identity in the digital era from the perspective of social constructivism theory. In contrast to traditional identity formation tied to physical spaces like parishes, the digital age has created a dynamic virtual space where Catholic identity is actively shaped through theological narratives on social media. This qualitative research employs critical discourse analysis (CDA) of digital narratives from various theological sources, including papal posts and content from lay Catholic influencers. The findings indicate that Catholic identity is now constructed through digital interaction and participation, which changes how the faithful perceive church authority, form communities, and express their faith. This process has led to a shift from hierarchical authority to an authority that is also built from the ground up by the participation of the laity. Additionally, Catholic communities are transcending geographical boundaries to become "digital parishes." The implication for Inter-Faith Studies is that understanding this digitally constructed self-identity is crucial before engaging in dialogue with other religions, as the resulting narratives can be either inclusive or exclusive. In conclusion, contemporary Catholic identity is a dynamic and constructed entity, woven from both offline and online experiences.

Penelitian ini mengkaji simbol air dalam Injil Yohanes sebagai bahasa wahyu yang mengungkapkan identitas ilahi Yesus dalam kerangka pneumatologi. Latar belakang penelitian ini adalah adanya kecenderungan studi sebelumnya yang menafsirkan simbol air secara parsial, baik sebagai simbol sakramental maupun metafora spiritual, tanpa melihat keterkaitannya secara menyeluruh dalam struktur naratif Injil Yohanes dan tradisi Yahudi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menunjukkan bahwa simbol air merupakan struktur teologis yang mengintegrasikan kristologi, dan pneumatologi  Yohanes. Metode yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis studi kepustakaan, melalui analisis teologis-intertekstual terhadap teks-teks Yohanes yang berkaitan dengan simbol air serta hubungannya dengan Perjanjian Lama dan tradisi Yahudi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa simbol air berkembang secara progresif dari makna literal menuju simbol kehidupan ilahi dan Roh Kudus, serta mencapai klimaks dalam peristiwa penyaliban sebagai pencurahan Roh dan kelahiran Gereja. Dengan demikian, air berfungsi sebagai medium pewahyuan yang tidak hanya menjelaskan karya keselamatan, tetapi juga mengungkapkan identitas Yesus sebagai sumber kehidupan ilahi. Implikasi penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa pneumatologi Yohanes pada dasarnya merupakan ekspresi kristologi dalam bahasa simbolik.

Sexual harassment is a criminal act carried out by two people by force with the intention of satisfying lust or an act of revenge. Sexual harassment in the church community is an act that violates Christian teachings where it is carried out outside the basis of marriage. Sexual harassment is carried out by force between men and women outside the husband and wife couple, namely between parents and children or between father and child. The Church has an important role in this. The Church seeks to heal, support, treat, and even accompany victims of sexual abuse through pastoral actions. Sexuality is no longer something taboo to talk about, therefore it is important for the church, government, and even families to discuss sexuality from an early age as an effort to prevent criminal acts or sexual violence. Society must have a sense of empathy and sympathy for victims of sexual violence, as an effort to heal and accept the reality experienced by victims. The church must really act in a real way in spiritual and psychological and social healing of victims.

This study examines the theological and moral dimensions of the Book of 2 Samuel by highlighting issues such as sin, repentance, justice, leadership, and its ethical implications for modern society. The aim of this study is to explore how the story of King David, with its moral complexity and the consequences of each of his actions, can serve as a reflective guide in dealing with contemporary ethical challenges. The method used is biblical hermeneutics combined with literature studies to interpret texts in their historical, social, and cultural contexts. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the theological message of the Book of 2 Samuel and its relevance to life today. The results of the study show that the value of sincere repentance, divine justice, and responsible leadership are universal principles that transcend the context of the times. These values are relevant in responding to modern problems such as abuse of power, integrity crises, and structural corruption. The novelty of this research lies in the effort to reinterpret ancient theological and moral teachings as an applicative ethical framework to strengthen moral leadership and ethical awareness in modern societ

This study aims to explore the concept of reconciliation in Christian theology as a philosophical foundation for an alternative criminal justice model involving the LGBT community. The retributive criminal law approach is often considered ineffective in addressing the complexities of legal, social, and religious conflicts related to religious sexual minorities. Using a qualitative method and a constructivist approach, this study analyzes the meaning of reconciliation through sacred texts, doctrine, and interviews with theologians, legal practitioners, and the Christian LGBT community. This approach reveals the subjective understanding of the actors regarding reconciliation and justice. The findings show that the core of reconciliation theology is the restoration of relationships, recognition, and transformation, which can form an ethical framework for the restorative justice model. This model offers a holistic solution, not only addressing legal consequences but also restoring social harmony by respecting individuals' dual identities. The article concludes that the integration of theological insights can lead to a more inclusive and transformative criminal justice paradigm for the LGBT community, resulting in a more humane and just resolution.

This study examines the integration of hermeneutic learning and systematic theology in science-based discipleship based on the concept of the Kingdom of God. The background of this research is the gap between the theological understanding of the Kingdom of God and the practice of digital discipleship which tends to be pragmatic and lacks a strong doctrinal foundation. This study uses mixed methods with a sequential explanatory design, which combines a survey of 50 respondents from pastors, lecturers, teachers, and students, as well as in-depth interviews to strengthen quantitative findings. The results of the study showed a very positive response to the integration of the values of the Kingdom of God and the use of science and technology in discipleship, especially in the aspects of digital ethics, love, responsibility, and the formation of Christian character. However, the understanding of hermeneutics and systematic theology still needs to be strengthened so that theological depth is not reduced by digital media and rapid technological flows. This research produces an integrative conceptual model of digital discipleship based on the Kingdom of God that combines hermeneutics as the basis for biblical interpretation, systematic theology as a doctrinal framework, and science and technology as a means of contextual and sustainable faith transformation.

This article theologically analyzes the Christian doctrine of creation, highlighting the nature of God as Creator and its implications for human understanding of the world, the self, and the relationship with God. Creation is understood not merely as the initial event of the cosmos but also as God’s continuous act of sustaining, preserving, and directing all creation toward His divine purpose. Through a study of biblical texts and the reflections of classical theologians such as Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin, this paper explores the concepts of creatio ex nihilo, the orderliness of creation, and the dignity of humanity as the image of God (imago Dei). This article also outlines how the doctrine of creation provides an ethical foundation for ecological responsibility, the sanctity of life, and respect for others in the context of contemporary challenges marked by moral crises and environmental degradation. The analysis shows that the doctrine of creation remains relevant for today’s faith, emphasizing that the world derives its meaning from God and that humanity is called to participate with God in caring for creation. Thus, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the significance of the doctrine of creation for Christian faith and ethical practice in contemporary life.  

Understanding God in Christian education plays a crucial role in the moral formation of children, as the theological concept of God forms the foundation for values, character, and ethical actions, developed from an early age. In Christian education, the process of moral formation does not simply rely on rules or customs, but rather rests on the child's personal relationship with God as a loving, guiding Being, and the source of truth. This study uses qualitative methods with a library research approach to explore how the concept of God according to Christian theology can serve as a foundation for the comprehensive moral formation of children. The aim of this study is to analyze how God's attributes such as love, holiness, justice, and faithfulness can be applied in the educational process so that the moral values formed are not formalistic but grow from a deep spiritual awareness. The research findings show that a proper understanding of God helps children recognize moral standards rooted in God's character, develop ethical attitudes, and strengthen the internal drive to live according to His will. This research is also expected to contribute to Christian educators in developing theological, contextual, and effective learning strategies to continuously cultivate children's morality in accordance with the principles of the Christian faith.

This study analyzes the implementation of the Great Commission in the context of the digital era, focusing on the utilization of information technology by the church and gospel ministers. Using a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews, digital observation, and document analysis, the study finds that digital media offers significant opportunities for the expansion of the Christian mission. However, its utilization is still not optimal due to low digital literacy, lack of theological integration, and limited strategies for adequate digital discipleship. The findings suggest that digital ministry requires a strong communication theology foundation, an inclusive relational approach, and clear digital ethics to maintain spiritual depth in ministry. The study also emphasizes that the digital world is part of missio Dei, so the church needs to develop hybrid ministry strategies and dialogical faith communities. Therefore, digitalization is not just a tool, but also a new theological space that demands a deep integration of theology, technology, and pastoral care. In this context, the church must develop a more holistic understanding to face the challenges and opportunities offered by the digital world for a more effective Christian mission.

The post-truth era and the dominance of social media pose significant challenges to public theological discussion practices, making the Christian community vulnerable to the spread of misinformation. This study aims to develop and test a digital literacy model for Christian educators to optimize social media as a space for healthy and critical dialogue. Using a mixed-method sequential explanatory approach, the study shows a significant improvement in information verification capacity and algorithmic awareness after the intervention. Qualitative findings reveal a paradox between emotional engagement and critical awareness, which was successfully addressed through the internalization of Christian communication ethics. The integrated model, which combines technical skills, public theology, and ethics, proves effective in transforming educators from passive consumers to active change agents in the digital space. Thus, educators can ethically and responsibly moderate theological discourse, making a significant contribution to creating a more thoughtful and open digital space for deeper and more meaningful theological dialogue. This research has implications for the development of digital literacy curricula in Christian education and serves as an initial step toward shaping a generation of educators who are critical and intelligent in facing the digital challenges of the future.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji peran simbol keagamaan dalam merefleksikan maupun menutupi kesenjangan kelas sosial di masyarakat perkotaan, dengan menggunakan perspektif teori Karl Marx mengenai agama sebagai ideologi dan alat legitimasi kekuasaan. Metode yang digunakan adalah penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus, melalui wawancara semi-struktural terhadap warga kota dari kelas sosial menengah ke atas dan kelas menengah ke bawah, serta tokoh agama setempat. Data dianalisis dengan teknik analisis tematik untuk melihat pola relasi antara simbol agama, posisi kelas, dan akses terhadap kekuasaan sosial-ekonomi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa simbol agama kerap digunakan oleh kelas atas sebagai sarana pembentukan citra, legitimasi status, dan penguatan struktur sosial, sedangkan bagi kelas bawah agama berfungsi sebagai sumber harapan dan solidaritas sosial, namun tidak selalu membuka akses terhadap mobilitas ekonomi. Secara umum, agama dapat berfungsi ganda: menjadi media pemersatu sosial sekaligus cermin ketimpangan kelas yang tersembunyi dalam praktik keagamaan sehari-hari. Penelitian ini menegaskan pentingnya membaca agama tidak hanya secara teologis, tetapi juga sebagai fenomena sosial yang berkaitan dengan produksi makna, kekuasaan, dan distribusi sumber daya.

This article examines the meaning of repentance and baptism in the Acts of the Apostles through an eschatological theological approach. Repentance and baptism are considered two important aspects in the journey of salvation and the development of the Christian faith. The methodology used in this research is qualitative with a literature study to explore the meaning, application and relationship between repentance and baptism from an eschatological theological perspective. Research findings reveal that repentance is a transformation of the heart that prepares a person to receive baptism as a symbol of new birth and the washing away of sins by the Holy Spirit. These two concepts complement each other and have significant theological consequences in the teaching and practice of the church's faith today. This research provides in-depth insight into the role of repentance and baptism in the context of gradual and eschatological salvation.