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This study examines how Christian marriage is represented in the modern era through theological, symbolic, and contextual perspectives. Although Christian marriage is traditionally understood as a sacred covenant emphasizing unity, fidelity, and permanence, contemporary social realities reveal shifts in how Christians interpret and express marital life. Economic pressures, evolving family roles, digital communication patterns, and cultural influences shape the modern experience of marriage. Using a descriptive qualitative approach through literature-based research, this study analyzes the theological foundations, ritual symbols, and contextual factors that influence changes in the representation of Christian marriage today. The findings indicate that while the core theological essence of Christian marriage remains, its practical expressions undergo adaptation to remain relevant within modern life. Symbols such as wedding rings, marital vows, and liturgical blessings continue to convey theological meaning, while premarital education and pastoral support play a crucial role in strengthening marital stability. The study highlights the need for a contextual and integrative ecclesial approach that responds to the realities faced by Christian couples in contemporary society.    

The death penalty remains a topic of ongoing debate from legal, moral, and religious perspectives. In Indonesia, the death penalty is still applied for certain serious crimes; however, its implementation is questioned because it is considered to conflict with the fundamental human right to life. From the perspective of Christian ethics, this issue becomes more complex as it relates to the understanding of life as a gift from God and the principles of justice and forgiveness. The Old Testament contains provisions for the death penalty as a means of upholding law and maintaining the holiness of the community, while the New Testament emphasizes love, restoration, and the opportunity for repentance through the example of Jesus Christ. This study aims to analyze how Christian ethics views the death penalty by examining the balance between justice and forgiveness as taught in Scripture. The method used in this research is literature review and conceptual analysis of biblical texts and theological sources. The findings indicate that Christian ethics does not merely reject or accept the death penalty, but directs toward an understanding of justice that restores human dignity. This perspective is expected to serve as an ethical consideration in responding to the application of the death penalty in modern society.

This study aims to examine the contribution of educational psychology in the context of Christian education, particularly for educators, school principals, Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers, Sunday school teachers, pastors, elders, and church servants. This theoretical study shows that educational psychology helps in understanding the characteristics of learners, optimizing teaching methods, building effective teacher-student relationships, and enhancing motivation and involvement in the learning and preaching process. The research method used is a descriptive qualitative approach, collecting data through a review of books, literature, journals, notes, and relevant reports. Educational psychology plays a significant role for all those involved in Christian education and ministry. CRE teachers and Sunday school teachers have a crucial role in instilling faith values in the younger generation by understanding the learning needs of children according to their cognitive and spiritual development stages. This enables them to deliver God's word in an engaging and meaningful way. Meanwhile, pastors, elders, and church servants require an understanding of educational psychology to carry out more wise pastoral ministry. Psychological understanding helps them provide spiritual guidance, counseling, and support for members who are struggling. Educational psychology also equips church servants to lead with empathy, listen with their hearts, and guide the congregation towards true spiritual restoration. The integration of educational psychology with Christian faith significantly impacts the improvement of learning and church ministry, producing individuals who are intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually balanced.

This study examines the biblical approach to the truth and inspiration of the Word of God in critical dialogue with Progressive Christian Theology (PCT). Using a qualitative-descriptive method and comparative biblical-theological analysis, the research explores the fundamental differences, points of convergence, and potential integration between the two approaches. PCT emphasizes the importance of socio-cultural context, moral development, and human experience in understanding faith. In contrast, biblical theology affirms the authority and unchanging nature of the Word of God as the foundation of absolute truth that undergirds church doctrine and practice. The findings indicate an urgent need to formulate a balanced synthesis between fidelity to the biblical text and sensitivity to contemporary cultural changes. This integrative approach is not intended to weaken the authority of Scripture but to enrich theological understanding so that it becomes more relevant to modern contexts without neglecting divine truth. This synthesis ultimately produces a model of church growth that is contextual, Scripture-centered, and capable of balancing love and truth in addressing contemporary theological, social, and ethical challenges. The model bears significant implications for shaping congregational spirituality, developing pastoral ministry, and guiding the church’s mission amid increasingly complex cultural shifts.

Youth ministry plays a highly strategic role in the life of the local church, particularly in addressing the challenges of the modern era marked by rapid technological advancement, shifting moral values, and the declining spiritual engagement of young generations. This community service program aims to strengthen spiritual formation that directly enhances the activeness and commitment of youth ministry in the Gereja Kristen Setia Indonesia (GKSI) Air Upas congregation. The study employs a qualitative approach through literature review and limited field observation, focusing on analyzing spiritual needs, interaction patterns, and contextual strategies for effective discipleship. The results indicate that contextual, relational, and continuous spiritual development programs significantly increase motivation, participation, and a sense of responsibility among young people in church ministry. Furthermore, the support of church leaders and the active involvement of spiritual communities are crucial in fostering a Christ-centered service mindset. This program contributes to the development of a participatory and sustainable model of youth spiritual formation that can be applied in other local churches to build a generation of young believers who are spiritually mature, active in ministry, and committed to serving Christ wholeheartedly.

This community service activity was conducted in a Christian ministry institution located in Makassar City, South Sulawesi. The Student Creativity Program (PKM) was motivated by the reality that many people in Makassar have not yet known or believed in Isa Al-Masih (Jesus Christ )as Lord and Savior. As a city with a predominantly non-Christian population, evangelism in Makassar needs to be carried out contextually, wisely, and lovingly, without offending the beliefs of the surrounding community. The “PI 3 Saja” method (an acronym for Evangelism anytime, anywhere, and to anyone) serves as a relevant and effective strategy for reaching out to society. Through the 5P approach (Pertalian—Relationship, Peralihan—Transition, Penginsafan—Conviction, Pengabaran—Proclamation, and Penyelesaian—Commitment), this method emphasizes the importance of friendship, empathy, and naturally sharing the Gospel in everyday conversations. The purpose of this activity was to train participants in the institution to become contextual evangelists who can share the Good News without coercion, but rather through exemplary living and genuine friendship with others. The training and field practice results showed positive responses from the community, the formation of small discipleship groups (house churches), and an increased sense of courage and sensitivity among participants in sharing the Gospel in non-Christian environments. This activity demonstrates that evangelism can remain relevant and effective when it prioritizes love, relationships, and sensitivity to local culture.

Modern students face high academic, social, and personal pressures, but Christian Religious Education has not yet maximized the potential of religious-based resilience. This study aims to: (1) analyze how the biblical values of faith, hope, and love can strengthen the components of students' psychological resilience in the cognitive, emotional, and spiritual dimensions; and (2) identify the integration mechanism between biblical teachings and psychological strategies in Christian Religious Education learning that can increase students' resilience in facing academic and personal stress. The method used is descriptive qualitative with a literature study approach to various journals, articles, and related academic sources. The results of the study show that the biblical values of faith, hope, and love are fundamental pillars that strengthen students' psychological resilience as a whole. Faith provides a foundation of self-confidence and personal competence, hope activates optimism and sustained motivation, while love builds healthy social relationships and essential emotional support. These three values work synergistically to strengthen students' emotional regulation, problem analysis, empathy, and self-efficacy. The deep integration of biblical teachings and psychology in PAK learning through biblical narratives, secure parenting relationships, supportive communities, and reflective feedback has proven effective in holistically improving student resilience. In conclusion, PAK learning that explicitly integrates biblical values with psychological resilience strategies is a transformative instrument for shaping students into individuals who not only perform well academically but are also spiritually strong, psychologically resilient, and ready to face complex life situations in accordance with the principles of 1 Corinthians 13:13 regarding faith, hope, and love

The lack of access to learning in schools leads to a decline in children's interest in studying. This has become a problem experienced by the children of Dusun Bulaya, Ilan Batu Uru Village, West Walendrang District, Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province. As a result, many children drop out of school. The lack of guidance and counseling at home and in school causes a decrease in children's motivation to continue learning. This issue underlies the activities that will be carried out by the community service program; these activities are conducted to educate and shape children's character so that they become more independent and optimal during their early educational years. Early childhood education plays an important role in forming the foundation of children's character and academic abilities. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of tutoring and counseling programs in improving the quality of education and the character of children at TK KRISTEN SETIA Bulaya. The method used is a descriptive qualitative approach, with the technique Observation, interviews, and documentation are used as data collection instruments. The research results indicate that tutoring programs can enhance students' basic academic understanding, while counseling services help develop positive attitudes, empathy, and discipline from an early age. Collaboration between teachers and parents is key to the success of this program. In conclusion, the integrated combination of tutoring and counseling significantly contributes to improving the quality of education and the character development of kindergarten children.         

This study discusses the role of Christian ethics in shaping attitudes towards abortion in Indonesia, which has led to moral, social, and legal debates. The main issues examined are how the biblical view and Christian ethical teachings assess the act of abortion and how the attitude of the church and believers in responding to this phenomenon. The aim of this study is to understand theologically and ethically the position of the Christian faith on abortion, while offering a compassionate pastoral approach to women facing such moral dilemmas. The research method used is descriptive qualitative method, by examining various theological, social, and legal sources to describe in depth the views of Christian ethics on abortion. The results showed that in the view of Christian ethics, human life is a holy gift of God from the womb, so abortion is considered contrary to his will. However, the church and believers are called not only to reject abortion in a normative way, but also to provide mentoring, moral education, and spiritual support for those affected. This study confirms the importance of balance between truth and love in dealing with the issue of abortion as a concrete manifestation of the application of Christian ethics in society.

Particularly in the context of Christian Religious Education, the question of children's spiritual growth and development is a critical component in the process of character formation, resulting in a holistic personality. Children benefit greatly from the use of Christian Religious Education psychology since it helps them comprehend the importance of faith, morality, and spirituality in a way that is suitable for their stage of psychological development. Data for this study were gathered by analyzing a variety of pertinent literature sources that were linked to the research issue. The author used a qualitative method in conjunction with a library research methodology. The purpose of this study is to examine how Christian Religious Education psychology concepts might be applied to improve children's spiritual development in the smallest social settings the family, school, and church.The study's end findings show that using Christian Religious Education psychology helps kids become more aware of the principles of their faith, behave in ways that emphasize love, behave responsibly, and have a positive relationship with God. It is anticipated that this study will improve the analytical abilities of church ministers, particularly those who specialize in children's ministry, parents of children, and educators who use it as a teaching tool. It is acceptable and effective for the demands of children's spiritual growth and development when a mature and proper technique is used.

This study aims to analyze toxic and narcissistic leadership in Christian educational institutions. The research method employed is a literature review with a content analysis approach. Data were collected through documentation studies of various academic books and relevant scholarly journals, then systematically analyzed to identify themes, patterns, and strategic insights. This literature review seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of toxic and narcissistic leadership phenomena, focusing on the influencing factors, their implications for organizations, and potential conflict resolution strategies. The findings reveal that toxic and narcissistic leadership has a negative impact on organizational health, particularly within Christian education, which should uphold the values of love, sacrifice, and service. Conversely, the implementation of conflict resolution based on Christian values can restore relationships, strengthen leadership integrity, and foster a healthy organizational culture. This study emphasizes the importance of transforming toxic and narcissistic leadership into leadership grounded in the values of Christ so that Christian educational institutions can remain consistent with their mission to educate, guide, and serve with love.

The understanding of the doctrine of humanity and sin in Christian theology reveals the essence of human nature and the need for divine redemption. This study aims to examine theological perspectives on human nature and sin, focusing on the relationship between the Imago Dei and the fall of humanity. Using a qualitative descriptive approach through literature review, the research analyzes biblical texts and theological interpretations from various Christian scholars. The results show that humans, created in the image and likeness of God, were originally good and endowed with moral and spiritual capacity. However, through sin, humans experienced separation from God and moral corruption. Nevertheless, God’s grace through Jesus Christ enables the restoration of humanity’s divine image and reconciles the broken relationship with the Creator. The study highlights that understanding these doctrines helps believers realize their dependence on God’s grace, leading to repentance, transformation, and ethical living. The implication encourages Christians to maintain a responsible, spiritual, and moral life as a reflection of the renewed image of God within them.

To address the moral extremism that often occurs among adolescents, strengthening education is crucial today. Christian Religious Education plays a crucial role in instilling an understanding of character, ethics, spiritual values, and noble moral habits. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method, with thorough literature exploration and data analysis. The study of Christian Religious Education is expected to be a companion that provides understanding, appreciation, and honest living based on Christian duties and values. This task is drawn from sources such as the Holy Scriptures, the life of Jesus Christ, and the ethical values ​​contained in Christianity. In this context, Christian Religious Education aims to produce a generation that is obedient to God and grows in faith and good moral values. Therefore, Christian Religious Education has a significant, very complex, and interconnected role. Its task is not only to provide spiritual understanding, but also to shape the character and morals of the younger generation so that they can face the challenges of the times with strong and sustainable moral values.

This study examines Christian ethics in responding to the moral crisis of young people in the digital era. The development of social media, algorithmic culture, and the attention economy has shaped how young people construct identity, manage desire, build relationships, and make moral decisions. The central issue explored in this study is not merely digital misconduct, such as hoaxes, cyberbullying, pornography, self-display culture, and social media addiction, but the fracture of Christian self-awareness that separates faith from everyday digital practices. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method through library research and theological-ethical analysis. The data were analyzed through thematic reduction, categorization of digital moral issues, and interpretation based on Christian ethical principles. The findings show that the digital moral crisis must be understood as a problem of identity, desire formation, and character development. Therefore, this study constructs a model of digital Christian ethics consisting of digital moral literacy, digital character discipline, digital discipleship community, and digital witness. The implication is that families, churches, and Christian educational institutions must develop systematic, contextual, and transformative digital ethics formation.

Student discipline is one of the key indicators of a school’s success in shaping character and creating a conducive learning environment. Discipline not only reflects compliance with school regulations but also demonstrates responsibility, honesty, orderliness, and self-control as part of character building. However, in practice, various disciplinary violations are still frequently found among students, such as lateness, failure to complete assignments, truancy, and noncompliance with school dress codes. These issues are also evident at SMA Kristen Palangka Raya, particularly among Grade XI students. Therefore, the role of the school principal as an educational leader is essential in implementing effective strategies to improve student discipline. This study aims to describe the role of the principal in enhancing student discipline among Grade XI students at SMA Kristen Palangka Raya. The research employed a qualitative descriptive method with data collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The participants included the principal, vice principal for student affairs, teachers, and students. The findings revealed that the principal performs several roles: (1) educator, by integrating discipline values through learning activities and character-building programs; (2) manager, by organizing, planning, and implementing school regulations; (3) supervisor, by monitoring and evaluating student discipline; (4) leader, by providing direction and exemplary behavior; and (5) motivator, by giving appreciation and educational sanctions. Challenges encountered include students’ low awareness of discipline and lack of parental involvement. To overcome these obstacles, the principal builds stronger communication with parents, enforces school rules consistently, and conducts continuous character development programs.

The development of science, technology, and the arts (IPTEKS) presents both challenges and opportunities, particularly for young Christians in the Faculty of Languages and Arts. This study explores the role of Christian faith in shaping how young Christians engage with IPTEKS, focusing on the integration of faith-based values in artistic creation, scientific application, and technological use. Using qualitative descriptive methods, the research involved interviews, observations, and documentation from Christian students in various art and education programs. The findings suggest that Christian faith provides a moral, ethical, and spiritual foundation for the responsible use of IPTEKS. In the arts, faith motivates students to create works that serve as ministry and testimony. In science, it encourages knowledge application for service and glorifying God. In technology, faith serves as a moral filter for the positive use of digital media. Key scriptures, including Proverbs 1:7, Colossians 3:23-24, and Romans 12:2, reinforce that IPTEKS should be utilized to honor God and serve others. This study highlights the need for faith development in academic settings, ensuring that young Christians engage with IPTEKS wisely, ethically, and in alignment with Christian values.

Pastoral ministry plays a crucial role in shaping the spiritual growth of the congregation so that they live according to the principles of the Kingdom of God. In practice, many congregations do not fully understand the meaning of Matthew 6:33, so its values are merely spiritual slogans without concrete application in daily life. This study aims to design a more effective pastoral strategy within the GEREJA KRISTEN SETIA INDONESIA (GKSI) Getsemani Palah Parajo, focusing on five main aspects: (1) a theological understanding of Matthew 6:33 as the basis for pastoral care; (2) the role of the pastor and congregation in building healthy relationships; (3) identifying the congregation's spiritual needs and challenges; (4) developing contextual pastoral strategies and methods; and (5) evaluating the congregation's spiritual growth. Through this approach, it is hoped that pastoral care will become a means of forming Christ-like character, which is not only theologically relevant but also has a real impact on the congregation's daily lives.

Christian Religious Education (PAK) plays a strategic role in instilling foundational faith and moral values in children from an early age. Through the VAK learning style ( Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic). In the context of modern education, PAK functions not only as a medium for delivering biblical teachings but also as a framework for character formation that aligns with children’s developmental needs. This study aims to analyze the role of PAK as a means of shaping faith and moral values, as well as to describe how PAK learning practices strengthen children’s spiritual growth through modeling, habituation, and learning interactions relevant to their daily lives. This qualitative research employs a descriptive approach, with data collected through literature studies, limited observations, and reflections on field experiences. The findings indicate that contextually designed PAK learning significantly influences children’s ways of thinking, behaving, and acting. The integration of school, family, and church further reinforces the impact of PAK as a spiritual foundation and moral guide in everyday life. This study emphasizes that PAK is not merely the transmission of religious content but a process of value internalization that directs children toward a life of faith, strong character, and responsibility.

This study is motivated by the increasing complexity of ethical challenges in public healthcare services in the modern era, characterized by rapid technological advancement, professional pressures, and shifting moral values. Within this context, Christian healthcare professionals face significant dilemmas in maintaining their faith-based ethical principles amid pragmatic service demands. This research aims to construct a Christian ethical framework on human dignity as a normative foundation for public healthcare practice. The study employs a descriptive qualitative method using a literature review approach, analyzing theological, philosophical, and social sources related to ethics, human dignity, and public service. The findings reveal that Christian ethics is rooted in the concept of Imago Dei, affirming that every human being possesses intrinsic dignity as created in the image of God. The principles of love (agape), justice, and moral responsibility serve as the core foundation for ethical healthcare practice. The implications of this study emphasize that healthcare services should not be merely technical but must also embody spiritual and humanistic values. Therefore, Christian healthcare professionals are called to act as moral agents who promote compassionate, dignified, and holistic care within the public healthcare system.

Divorce has become an increasingly prevalent moral and social phenomenon within modern society, including among Christian communities, with profound implications for family structures, spiritual life, and the church’s testimony in the world. This study analyzes divorce from the perspective of Christian ethics, grounded in a theological and moral reflection on Matthew 19:1–12 as the biblical foundation for understanding marriage and faithfulness. The findings reveal that divorce is not merely a legal or social concern but represents a spiritual crisis and a failure to uphold the sacred covenant established by God. Contributing factors such as infidelity, domestic violence, economic pressure, and weak faith formation erode the moral values of love and fidelity. Christian ethics emphasizes love, forgiveness, and moral responsibility as fundamental principles for healing and reconciliation within broken relationships. The church is called to exercise pastoral responsibility through guidance, counseling, and restoration, fostering ethical awareness and marital integrity among believers. Thus, applying Christian ethics to the issue of divorce is essential for nurturing spiritual maturity, strengthening family unity, and preserving the moral witness of the Christian community.