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This study discusses the dialogue between Christian faith and Karl Marx’s atheism as well as its relevance to the lives of contemporary Christians. The rise of atheism in modern society is closely related to secularization, scientific progress, social inequality, and criticism of religious institutions that are considered unable to answer humanitarian problems. Karl Marx viewed religion as an ideological instrument that often legitimized oppression and alienated humans from their true existence. Through his famous statement that “religion is the opium of the people,” Marx criticized forms of religiosity that merely comfort human suffering without striving for social liberation. This research employs a qualitative method with a literature review approach by examining various philosophical, theological, and social sources related to Marx’s atheism and the Catholic Church’s teachings. The findings reveal that Marx’s criticism of religion should not merely be understood as a rejection of God, but also as a moral challenge for the Church to continuously renew itself in carrying out its mission amid social realities. In response, the Catholic Church, especially through the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, views atheism not only as a doctrinal challenge but also as an opportunity for dialogue and self-reflection. The study concludes that authentic Christian faith is not an escape from worldly realities but a spiritual force that encourages believers to uphold justice, solidarity, and human dignity. Therefore, Marx’s criticism can become a reflective instrument for Christians to embody a more contextual, humanistic, and socially engaged faith in the modern world.

Thomas Aquinas was a major figure in the Era of Scholasticism in the Middle Ages, who was very influential and famous for driving the Western world's resistance to Augustine and Plato's teachings on Eastern mysticism that are still preserved. According to Thomas Aquinas, faith and reason are processes in Christian philosophy. However, please note that this is not possible due to a limitation of reason. Although reason does not transcend mystery, reason can facilitate the understanding of the mystery of God, whereas faith is an intermediary to bridge man's mind with God. Although mystery can overcome the intellect, the two are complementary understandings. Thus, Thomas concludes that two kinds of knowledge do not contradict each other, but that stand side by side, namely natural knowledge, which is based on rare intellect and has things of a general human nature as its object, and the knowledge of faith, which is based on revelation and has divine truth, which is in the scriptures, as its object. Thomas himself provided 5 proofs that God is always there.

The role of the ward chairman in the Catholic Church community is very important and strategic for the growth and development of the ecclesiastical community. However, the problem arises that the heads of the environment often accept the responsibility of this position by being forced, burdened and not willing to carry it out. This research aims to make the ward leaders realize that receiving leadership through this position can be very value-added, not only for themselves but also for others they serve. The method chosen is a literature study with the main reference from the leadership model of John C, Maxwell which is integrated with the results of research related to it. Based on the study, it is known that the reflection writing method is an effective strategy because it is able to foster the self-awareness of the Ward Chairs, so that it can increase the level of leadership that provides more value, both for themselves and others. Quantitative research is needed to measure the level of leadership, as well as qualitative research to comprehensively examine the research subjects at each leadership level.

The Holy Communion is one of the sacraments performed in the Toraja Church as a direct command from God for all who believe in Jesus Christ. Therefore, everyone, both adults and children, is required to participate as part of the Kingdom of God's family. This study aims to analyze parents' understanding of the practice of Holy Communion involving children in the Gasing Congregation of the Toraja Church. The research employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive method to explain parents' understanding of the meaning and practice of Holy Communion involving children. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, field observation, and relevant literature review related to the research topic. The findings indicate that many parents still lack a proper understanding of the theological significance of Holy Communion, particularly when it involves children. Most parents simply follow the synod's decision without deeply understanding its theological foundation. Moreover, the church does not provide direct pastoral guidance to parents but merely reads out the meaning of Holy Communion during Sunday worship services, resulting in very limited comprehension among the congregation. Therefore, more intensive socialization and guidance from the church council to all congregation members, especially parents, is highly needed. This research is expected to contribute to the development of knowledge at IAKN Toraja and provide insights for readers, particularly congregants of the Toraja Church in general.

This study examines the eschatological. Dimensions present in the encyclical Laudato Si’ and their implications for ecological responsibility within the Christian faith. The increasing global ecological crisis necessitates a serious theological reflection capable of grounding believers’ engagement with environmental issues in their faith convictions. Eschatology, as the doctrinal framework concerning ultimate realities, addresses not merely the end of individual human existence but, more profoundly, the hope for the renewal and transformation of all creation in God. The research employs a qualitative method with a library research approach, drawing primarily on ecclesiastical documents, Sacred Scripture, and relevant theological literature. The findings demonstrate that Laudato Si’ integrates a robust eschatological vision, wherein the promise of “a new heaven and a new earth” constitutes the theological foundation for human responsibility toward creation. Contrary to interpretations that treat eschatological hope as a rationale for passivity or disengagement from the world, Laudato Si’ affirms that such hope actively motivates believers to participate in the care and preservation of the environment as an integral expression of their faith calling. This study concludes that eschatology possesses genuine practical relevance for everyday Christian life, particularly in cultivating ecological awareness. Faith in the ultimate fulfillment of God’s salvific plan, far from diminishing present-day responsibilities, intensifies the moral obligation to treat the earth as a “common home” entrusted to humanity.

Religious pluralism is an unavoidable reality in Indonesian society, where people from diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds coexist. This study examines the relationship between Christianity and other religions, focusing on Christology and the doctrine of salvation within the context of Indonesian pluralism. The research aims to explore how Christians can maintain faithfulness to biblical teachings while fostering tolerance, respect, and harmonious interreligious relations. This study employs a qualitative literature review method by analyzing biblical texts, theological literature, scholarly articles, and perspectives from Christian theologians concerning religious diversity, the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, and Christian engagement in a pluralistic society. The findings indicate that Christianity upholds the exclusive claim that Jesus Christ is the Savior and the only way to salvation, while simultaneously teaching values of love, compassion, justice, and peace toward all people regardless of their religious affiliation. The study further reveals that constructive interfaith dialogue does not require compromising core Christian doctrines but encourages mutual understanding and cooperation for the common good. In the Indonesian context, the church is challenged to develop a contextual, dialogical, and transformative apologetic approach that reflects Christ’s love and promotes social harmony. Therefore, Christian witness can remain faithful to its theological foundations while contributing positively to peacebuilding, national unity, and the development of a just and inclusive society.

The doctrine of Christology as the foundation of the Christian faith has become an important theological issue that must be understood, believed, and examined as a form of accountability of faith. Since the early church, the understanding of Jesus Christ and His work has been affirmed through various church councils that defined His divinity and humanity according to biblical testimony. However, throughout church history, various theological, historical, and modern criticisms concerning Jesus have continued to emerge. Questions regarding His existence, divinity, life, and teachings are still widely debated, including on social media today. This study aims to analyze the doctrine of Christology in the development of church history, identify forms of criticism toward Jesus that challenge the church, and examine them as opportunities for evangelism. The study employs a literature review method using theological and historical analytical approaches to relevant sources, which are systematically described. The findings show that criticism of Jesus is not only a challenge but also an opportunity for the church to develop contextual and dialogical evangelistic approaches. A sound understanding of Christology and contemporary criticisms can help the church formulate evangelistic strategies that are relevant, effective, and communicative.

Middle order thinking skills (MOTS) questions are very important in Christian religious education learning. Evaluation of Christian religious education learning needs to be carried out by educators (teachers) based on each learning material so that students' academic achievement can be achieved well. In general, educators (teachers) do not fully understand the concept of middle order thinking skills (MOTS), as well as low order skills (LOTS) and high order skills (HOTS), so that some students find it difficult to answer questions given by educators (teachers) during learning evaluations. The type of research used is qualitative research with a literature review/literature study approach. The purpose of the study is to explain the understanding of the meaning of MOTS in Christian religious education learning on materials that are in accordance with learning objectives, so that students' academic achievement can be achieved well through learning evaluations. The results of the study are students are able to answer questions well from the middle order thinking skills (MOTS) type of questions when educators (teachers) create learning evaluation questions based on learning materials. Conclusion; To create evaluation questions for Christian religious education learning that students can answer and achieve academic success, ideally, questions should be based on the learning material they have learned.

Student character building is an important goal in the education system, particularly in Christian Religious Education (CRE) which emphasizes not only cognitive aspects but also the development of moral and spiritual values. However, various character issues such as low discipline, responsibility, and social awareness remain challenges in the school environment. Therefore, a learning strategy is needed that can integrate Biblical values contextually into the educational process. This study aims to analyze learning strategies based on Matthew 11:28–30 in shaping student character at SMP Negeri 1 Moro’o, West Nias Regency. This study uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving Christian Religious Education teachers and students. The results of the study indicate that the values contained in Matthew 11:28–30, such as love, humility, gentleness, and peace of mind, can be implemented through contextual learning strategies, teacher role models, and reflective learning. The implementation of these strategies contributes to student character building, especially in improving attitudes of discipline, responsibility, and concern for others. The novelty of this research lies in the development of a learning strategy framework based on theological analysis of Matthew 11:28–30 which is practically integrated into Christian Religious Education learning to shape students' character.

Fahombo (Hombo Batu) is a cultural heritage of the South Nias people that not only displays visual beauty and symbolic meaning, but also contains educational values for character building for the younger generation. This study aims to explore the pedagogical aspects contained within it while examining its relevance to the integration of arts and culture in holistic learning in the modern era. A qualitative approach with descriptive methods was chosen to understand the meaning, function, and educational messages that are alive and passed down through this cultural practice. Data collection was conducted through field observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving traditional leaders, parents, and actively participating youth. Analysis was carried out through stages of reduction, presentation, and drawing conclusions by applying triangulation of sources and techniques to ensure the validity of the findings. The results of the study indicate the existence of character-building values such as courage, discipline, responsibility, perseverance, and social solidarity. Furthermore, this activity reflects a comprehensive learning process because it involves the physical, mental, emotional, social, and cultural dimensions in an integrated manner. These findings confirm that local wisdom can be utilized as a relevant contextual learning resource to develop a holistic education model that is adaptive to current developments while rooted in cultural identity.

This study aims to analyze the leadership qualifications of Moses in Exodus 18:21 and examine their relevance for contemporary Christian team leadership. The research is grounded in the increasing complexity of modern leadership challenges, which often prioritize structural effectiveness without sufficient ethical and spiritual foundations. Employing a qualitative approach with a historical-grammatical hermeneutical method, this study interprets the text within its historical, literary, and lexical contexts. The findings reveal that the four leadership criteria—capable, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest gain—form an integrated value system that undergirds Israel’s collective leadership structure. The novelty of this research lies in its interpretation of Exodus 18:21 not merely as a description of Moses’ personal charisma, but as a paradigm for participatory and ethically grounded team leadership. Theologically, the “fear of God” functions as the normative center that integrates competence and integrity. These findings suggest that contemporary Christian leadership development should prioritize spiritual character and moral accountability as foundational elements in building sustainable and integrity-based teamwork..

The diversity of Indonesian society, spread across various regions of the archipelago, reflects immense natural and cultural wealth. However, this cultural diversity also has the potential to trigger national disintegration or division due to differences in perspectives, values, and ways of life. This situation indicates that Indonesian society needs to develop an educational system capable of fostering an appreciative attitude toward cultural, religious, and customary differences among ethnic groups. This reality compels Christian Education to assume a strategic role in strengthening existing diversity. This study aims to examine transformative approaches within Christian Education for fostering harmony amidst Indonesia’s diversity. The research employs a qualitative approach through a literature review, particularly focusing on the approaches and implementation of Christian Education within pluralistic societies. The results of the study indicate that the presence of Christian education can make a significant contribution to building a harmonious, diverse society by instilling Christian values such as respect for different lifestyles, rejection of violence and discrimination, and the strengthening of a spirit of unity. Thus, Christian education is expected to serve as an effective means of fostering harmony amidst the diversity of Indonesian society.

Christian Religious Education (PAK) learning is undergoing significant changes in the Digital 5.0 era with the utilization of technology as the main support. This study explores the challenges in Christian learning and explores technological solutions that can improve student engagement and material comprehension. Through the literature study, the main challenges identified include the limitations of traditional learning resources and the lack of attractiveness of the materials. Solutions are proposed by integrating E-Learning, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and mobile applications in the curriculum. Teacher training and support from the community and church are key in implementing this approach. Continuous evaluation and problem solving are the focus to ensure success and sustainability. The results show that technology contributes significantly to creating an interactive and relevant learning environment, building a solid foundation for increased student engagement and understanding of Christian teachings. By stepping with technology, this article presents a foundation for enhancing Christian Religious Education learning amidst the dynamics of the digital world

This study examines the eco-eschatological dimensions embedded in the myths and traditions of pante among the Manggarai people of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The pante tradition is not merely understood as an economic activity involving the tapping and processing of palm sap, but also as a cultural practice that embodies ecological, spiritual, social, and ethical values. Through this tradition, the Manggarai people maintain a harmonious relationship with nature and recognize their responsibility toward the environment as part of a sacred cosmic order. This study employs a qualitative approach based on literature review and hermeneutical-theological analysis to explore the symbolic meanings and theological implications of the pante myth. The findings reveal that the pante myth reflects the Manggarai people’s cosmological worldview, in which nature is regarded as a living and sacred reality that must be respected and protected. Furthermore, the tradition promotes an ethic of sustainability that discourages excessive exploitation of natural resources and encourages balance between human needs and environmental preservation. From an eco-eschatological perspective, the pante tradition represents a vision of hope for the restoration of relationships among humans, nature, and God, anticipating the fulfillment of the “new heaven and new earth.” Therefore, this study affirms that Manggarai local wisdom provides a valuable contribution to the development of contextual, ecological, and sustainable theology in contemporary society.

This paper discusses the concept of global ethics put forward by Hans Küng as a universal moral framework in the face of the reality of a plural world. This study uses a qualitative approach with a literature study method to examine Küng's thoughts on global ethics, its basic principles, and its implications in social life and interreligious dialogue. The results of the study show that global ethics is a consensus of universal moral values that is not intended as a new religion, but as a common basis for all mankind in building a peaceful and just life. Principles such as humanity, non-violence, solidarity, honesty, and equality are the main cornerstones in building cross-cultural and religious relations. In addition, global ethics also encourages collective responsibility in maintaining social justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability. However, global ethics also faces criticism of its normative tendencies as well as the challenges of achieving universal consensus amid differences in values, cultures, and political interests. Therefore, the implementation of global ethics requires an inclusive, open, and sustainable dialogue. Thus, global ethics has strong relevance as the foundation of interreligious dialogue in creating sustainable global peace and harmony.

Counseling etymologically derives from the noun counsel, which originates from the Latin consilium, rooted in consilere, meaning “to consult,” or to seek the views and advice of others as guidance for consideration and decision-making. As a verb, to counsel or counseling refers to the act of providing advice, guidance, warnings, encouragement, and instruction aimed at fostering self-surrender in addressing problems and managing negative behaviors among students. Educational guidance and counseling aim to strengthen Christian students to live victoriously in the Lord Jesus Christ by bringing them to an understanding of the light of God’s Word and the acceptance of themselves as God’s grace. This Classroom Action Research was conducted to address and resolve the problems of Christian students based on the research formulation, particularly through the application of intellectual, moral, and social approaches as strategic steps to enhance educational counseling services. The study employed a qualitative approach, with data collected through in-depth interviews and field notes. Data analysis was carried out by categorizing findings to generate emerging themes. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with three teacher participants and two student participants. The findings revealed that several students required special attention due to tendencies toward delinquent behavior, while one case indicated a student’s involvement in narcotics. These findings demonstrate that student-related issues require special intervention efforts to improve their spiritual and mental well-being, leading them to a deeper knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The ultimate goal is the salvation of students’ souls and the glorification of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Teaching biblical principles to elementary school children plays a significant role in shaping their faith and character, as childhood represents a formative stage for spiritual, intellectual, and moral development. This study aims to examine developmentally appropriate Bible teaching tactics and emphasize the role of Christian Religious Education teachers in the faith-learning process. The approach used is a literature review that combines theological insights, developmental psychology, and Christian didactics. The findings of this analysis indicate that effective teaching methods include the use of storytelling, visual and creative aids, interactive activities, spiritual music, and the teacher's life example. These methods enhance children’s understanding of biblical teachings in a concrete and contextually relevant manner. This research confirms that Bible teaching should not be seen simply as conveying information, but rather as a holistic process of faith formation. The results of this study provide both theoretical and practical benefits, especially for Christian Religious Education teachers, Christian schools, churches, and families in supporting children's holistic faith development.

The rapid development of AI-assisted programming has encouraged the emergence of vibe coding, an approach to software development in which developers focus more on formulating intentions, contexts, and constraints through prompts rather than writing code manually. However, existing evaluations of AI-generated code still tend to emphasize functional correctness and productivity, and therefore have not fully addressed the relationship between user intent, technical code reliability, and developers’ understanding of the generated artifacts. This study aims to propose a new evaluation method called TD-VCEM (Three-Dimensional Vibe Coding Evaluation Method) to assess vibe coding practices in a more comprehensive and auditable manner. The proposed method consists of three primary dimensions: Intent Alignment to evaluate the conformity of code with prompt requirements, Code Reliability to assess the technical quality of the generated code, and Developer Cognition to measure developers’ understanding of AI-generated code. TD-VCEM is designed through several stages, including prompt decomposition, prompt-to-code traceability matrix, code reliability assessment, and developer cognition evaluation. Each dimension employs indicator-based scoring rubrics normalized on a scale of 0–100, enabling the construction of a Vibe Coding Evaluation Score (VCES). This study does not present empirical experimental results; instead, it offers a methodological framework that can serve as a foundation for evaluating AI-generated code in modern software engineering environments. The proposed TD-VCEM is expected to improve review process transparency, reduce security risks, strengthen software maintainability, and ensure that developers maintain control and understanding of AI-generated code artifacts.

This study aims to analyze people's online shopping behavior and assess its impact on family economic conditions. The development of digital technology has transformed people's consumption habits, particularly in shopping activities, which are now increasingly practical through online platforms. Easy access, product diversity, and various payment options have made online shopping a dominant trend. However, this convenience also has the potential to foster consumer behavior that impacts financial stability. This study aims to analyze bold shopping patterns and their impact on household financial conditions. The approach used is descriptive qualitative library research, collecting and analyzing data from various scientific journals, articles, and related references. The study findings indicate that online shopping has diverse effects: on the one hand, it offers time and cost savings, but on the other hand, it can lead to waste and indiscipline in family budget management if not supported by adequate self-control. Therefore, an understanding of financial management and digital literacy is crucial to ensure optimal use of technology without harming family economic well-being. Furthermore, this phenomenon requires synergy between digital platform policies and consumer education to mitigate the risk of impulsive buying. This research confirms that psychological factors often outweigh objective needs in digital transactions. As a recommendation, adaptive financial management support strategies are needed for families in this era of disruption to maintain domestic economic resilience against the pressures of a modern lifestyle.

This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Majikan (Sesarengan Book Study Community) activities, identify supporting and inhibiting factors in the implementation of activities, and examine the contribution of the “Majikan” activities to the development of Islamic education in the community. This study uses a qualitative approach taking the object of the implementation of Islamic education through the “Majikan” activities located in Jatiluhur Village, Rowokele District, Kebumen Regency, with research subjects including the chairman of GP Ansor, the administrators of the “Majikan” activities, religious leaders, and the congregation participating in the “Majikan” activities. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation to then be analyzed descriptively. The results of the study indicate that the Majikan (Sesarengan Book Study Community) activities in Jatiluhur Village are carried out consistently as a form of community-based non-formal Islamic education. These activities include reading sholawat, studying fiqh books regarding basic worship using the bandongan method, as well as closing prayers and mushafahah. This activity was driven by community involvement and support from the village government, despite challenges such as differences in educational backgrounds, time constraints, weather conditions, and location. The contribution of the "Majikan" program is to improve religious understanding, foster appropriate worship behavior, strengthen Islamic brotherhood, and raise social awareness through alms management.