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This study is motivated by the author’s interest in the concept of God’s faithfulness (khesed) as revealed in the book of Hosea, which portrays God’s steadfast love through the marriage of Hosea and Gomer. Gomer represents Israel, the unfaithful spouse, while Hosea embodies God’s enduring love despite betrayal. Contemporary family life faces numerous challenges, including infidelity, economic hardship, incompatibility, and divorce problems also affecting Christian families in the Toraja Church congregation of Tabang. This study aims to describe the hermeneutics of khesed in the book of Hosea and its practical theological implications for families in that congregation. A qualitative research method was employed, incorporating library research, field research, and interviews with six informants. The findings reveal that khesed refers to an act of faithfulness rooted in obedience to previously agreed vows, commitments, and principles. The practical theological implication is that every Christian family is called to reflect God’s faithfulness by remaining loyal to their spouse, to others, and to God in every dimension of life.

Human happiness does not lie in physical pleasure, victory, wealth, honour, worldly power, a beautiful body, or the senses. People in religious communities seek something deeper, contemplating and acknowledging the highest value in union with God. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Contra Gentiles, arguments that human happiness lies in the contemplation of God, through which one attains peace and fulfilment in total self-surrender to God. However, in the lived experience of religious communities, a fear of matters related to sexuality is evident. Indeed, some misunderstand and misinterpret these matters, resulting in monks and nuns who become cold, dry, and rigid, acting in ways that violate sexual morality, thereby disrupting or even destroying—their ministry due to such improper conduct. Based on this, the author recognises the importance of education and the appreciation of sexual values for religious communities. Using a literature review method involving relevant books, journals, articles, and Church documents with a theological approach, it was found that the education of religious people requires aspects of happiness and sexuality education. The results of the study indicate that Thomas Aquinas’s concept of happiness can bridge religious life with sexuality education, which is one aspect that must be understood and lived out. Therefore, the happiness of love and the sexuality education of religious people need to be explored and lived out in the course of living and experiencing life as a religious person.

This study aims to analyze the participation of the faithful in the Sacrament of Penance and to identify the pastoral challenges influencing its practice in the Vicariate of West Sulawesi, Archdiocese of Makassar. Theologically, the Sacrament of Penance serves as a means of reconciliation that restores the relationship between humanity, God, and the Church. However, in contemporary contexts, its practice encounters various social, psychological, and pastoral dynamics. This research employed a descriptive quantitative approach involving 267 respondents from four parishes through questionnaire distribution. The data were analyzed using percentage-based statistics to map participation frequency, spiritual motivation, level of understanding, post-sacramental experiences, and perceived obstacles. The findings indicate that although most respondents demonstrate strong theological understanding, sincere spiritual motivation, and positive spiritual experiences after receiving absolution, participation remains largely seasonal and periodic. The principal challenges include psychological factors such as shame and anxiety, structural limitations related to schedule and accessibility, and formative deficiencies such as insufficient ongoing catechesis. The study concludes that the primary issue is not a crisis of faith in the sacrament itself, but a gap between theological awareness and concrete practice, thus calling for more dialogical, communicative, and contextual pastoral renewal.

The study highlights the importance of spirituality as a foundational framework for shaping adolescents’ life orientation in the complex digital era, marked by pervasive distractions and fragmented meaning. Ignatian spirituality, emphasizing reflection and lived experience as loci of encounter with God, provides a contextual approach to help adolescents construct deeper existential meaning. The study aims to examine how reflective practices within this framework support students of SMK Katolik St. Mikael Surakarta in internalizing spiritual values and navigating digital challenges. Using a qualitative descriptive case study design, data were collected from 195 reflective writings of twelfth-grade students and reduced to 90 representative samples. The film Hacksaw Ridge was employed as a reflective stimulus to enhance affective and existential engagement. Data analysis was conducted using the four pillars of Jesuit education: Competence, Conscience, Compassion, and Commitment. The findings reveal that all reflections contain at least one element of the 4C framework integrated with Ignatian spirituality. Reflection serves not only as a medium of self-expression but also as a transformative process fostering moral awareness, social sensitivity, and commitment to action. It effectively enables students to process both personal and digital experiences into meaningful learning. The study affirms the strong relevance of integrating spirituality, reflection, and Ignatian pedagogy in contemporary education, contributing to the formation of reflective, value-oriented individuals committed to the common good.

The study aims to analyze the role of digital media as a distracting factor affecting the faith loyalty of Catholic adolescents in their relationship with God amid religious pluralism in Indonesia. The development of digital media has transformed how adolescents understand, express, and live out their faith, while simultaneously presenting both opportunities and ambivalent challenges. This research employs a qualitative approach using a library research method, analyzing various theological, sociological sources, and Church documents. The findings indicate that digital media can serve as a broad and participatory space for expressing faith, but it also has the potential to create distractions in three main dimensions: cognitive, affective, and practical. Cognitively, adolescents experience confusion in understanding faith teachings due to the diversity of information available. Affectively, there is a shift in orientation from a relationship with God toward the pursuit of emotional gratification in digital spaces. Practically, there is a decline in engagement in concrete religious practices. Within the context of religious pluralism, this complexity intensifies and influences the formation of adolescents’ faith identity. This study also finds that digital media does not only have negative impacts but also holds positive potential as a means of deepening faith when used critically and reflectively. Therefore, the role of the Church is essential through contextual, dialogical, and integrative pastoral accompaniment combined with critical digital literacy. Through this approach, adolescents are expected to integrate their digital experiences into a more mature, authentic faith life rooted in a deeper relationship with God.

This article examines the dialogue between John Calvin’s educational thought and the Merdeka Curriculum within the context of Christian Religious Education (PAK) in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative-comparative approach with descriptive analysis, this study traces the points of convergence and tension between Calvin’s educational principles particularly the concept of imago Dei, holistic education, and the God-centered purpose of education and the principles of the Merdeka Curriculum such as flexibility, differentiated learning, and the Profil Pelajar Pancasila (Pancasila Student Profile). The analysis reveals significant convergence in terms of respect for the potential and uniqueness of learners, holistic educational orientation, and the role of teachers as facilitators and character formers. However, fundamental tensions also exist regarding Calvin’s theocentric theological foundation vis-à-vis the secular Pancasila foundation, the concept of discipline and authority versus student freedom, and the ultimate goal of education glorifying God versus forming the Pancasila Student Profile. Based on these findings, this article offers practical recommendations for PAK curriculum design based on the Merdeka Curriculum, a Kingdom of God-nuanced project-based learning approach, holistic assessment, and Christian character formation within the Profil Pelajar Pancasila framework. This research contributes to filling the gap in studies that dialogue the Reformed theological tradition with contemporary Indonesian national education policy.

This study aims to analyze the relevance of Robert Raikes' Christian educational thinking to the character formation of children in contemporary Sunday School services. This study uses a qualitative approach with a library research method. Data were obtained from various literature sources such as books, scientific journals, and research articles related to Christian education, character education, and the history of Sunday School development. Data analysis techniques were carried out through the stages of data reduction, grouping themes, interpretation, and drawing conclusions using descriptive qualitative methods. The results show that Robert Raikes' thoughts remain relevant in modern Christian education, especially in the formation of children's character through the teaching of God's Word, discipline, role models, and the instilling of Christian values. Sunday School plays an important role as a means of fostering faith, morality, and social responsibility in children from an early age. In addition, the challenges of the digital era require churches to develop more creative, interactive, and contextual learning methods without abandoning the basic values ​​of the Christian faith. This study confirms that the success of children's character formation depends not only on the church, but also on the role of Sunday School teachers and families who work together to build a conducive spiritual environment. Thus, Robert Raikes' thinking makes an important contribution to the development of Christian education that is relevant in the modern era.

The Tandak Timang tradition in Batu Badinding Village, Central Katingan District, plays an important role in fostering the faith of children aged 1-5 years, which is carried out by parents. From an early age, children are introduced to faith values through Tandak Timang verses that contain advice, prayers, and praise to God. This study aims to (1) describe the role of parents in fostering the faith of children aged 1-5 years through the Tandak Timang tradition in Batu Badinding Village, Central Katingan District; and (2) describe the values implemented by parents for children aged 1-5 years in Batu Badinding Village, Central Katingan District. The research used a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques including observation, interviews, and documentation.The results show that Tandak Timang plays a significant role in shaping children's spiritual foundation. Parents' roles are manifested through daily practices, such as singing, storytelling, and rocking children while chanting verses in the Dayak Ngaju language. This practice not only builds strong emotional bonds but also serves as an effective medium for instilling noble values. These values include cultural values, moral and ethical values, ancestral values, and spiritual values that teach children about the importance of prayer and hope in God.The conclusion of this study is that parents act not only as cultural inheritors but also as educators, role models, and facilitators. They utilize intimate moments when putting children to sleep—through singing, storytelling, and rocking—to instill faith values. The strong physical and emotional interaction builds a solid bond, making it easier for children to accept and internalize a deep understanding of the teachings conveyed. The Tandak Timang tradition is rich in noble values that serve as the foundation for faith formation. These values include cultural values, moral and ethical values, ancestral values, and spiritual values. The suggestions put forward are that parents should further understand the meaning of Tandak Timang for fostering children's faith from an early age, and pass on and preserve the character of children through this Central Kalimantan Dayak culture. For subsequent researchers conducting similar studies, it is recommended to develop the research objectives and focus more specifically on the research topics.

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed various sectors of human life, including church ministry and religious organizational management. This study aims to analyze Christian leadership ethics in the use of AI within modern church ministry. The research employs a qualitative descriptive method through theological literature review and analysis of recent studies concerning digital technology and pastoral ministry. The findings indicate that AI provides significant benefits for church administration, digital communication, congregational data management, and online evangelism. Nevertheless, ethical challenges also emerge, such as the weakening of pastoral relationships, data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and the risk of dehumanization in ministry practices. From a Christian theological perspective, ministry is fundamentally relational and incarnational, reflecting the example of Jesus Christ who ministered through personal presence, compassion, and direct interaction with people. Therefore, AI should be understood as a supportive instrument rather than a substitute for spiritual authority and pastoral presence. Christian leadership in the digital age must be grounded in integrity, transparency, spiritual discernment, and respect for human dignity as the image of God (imago Dei). This study contributes to the development of ethical guidelines for churches in utilizing AI responsibly while maintaining theological integrity and Christian spiritual values.

Christology is a branch of Christian theology that discusses the person and work of Jesus Christ as the core of the Christian faith. The development of the modern era, characterized by globalization, pluralism, technological advancement, and cultural diversity, presents new challenges in understanding Christ in a relevant and contextual manner. This research aims to examine the development of Christological reflection in various life contexts and explain its application in contemporary life. The research uses a qualitative approach with a literature study method thru the examination of various classical and modern theological literature from both Protestant and Catholic traditions. The analysis was conducted using a historical-critical approach to understand the development of Christological thot from the early church period to the modern era. The research results show that Christology is not only doctrinal but also has practical dimensions related to personal, social, cultural, interfaith dialog, ecological, and modern challenges. Christological reflection affirms that Jesus Christ is understood as the true God and true man, serving as the foundation of spirituality, ethics, and social action for Christians. Furthermore, the contextual Christological approach helps the church present Christ's teachings relevantly in a pluralistic and dynamic society. This research implies the importance of developing contextual, inclusive, and transformative theology so that the Christian faith remains meaningful in modern life.

Technological developments have brought significant changes to various aspects of human life, including church life. These changes also impact intergenerational relationships within the congregation. This paper aims to examine the challenges faced by church leaders at GEKISIA Depok in serving Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z, and to examine the relevance of the theological principle of Romans 12:2 in addressing these challenges. Ultimately, the author observes that differences in generational characteristics influence communication patterns, ministry models, and congregational expectations of church leadership. Therefore, church leaders in the digital age are required to be adaptive, transformative, and remain rooted in biblical values. Romans 12:2 serves as an important theological foundation for Christian leaders to experience a renewed mindset so they can serve according to God's will without being influenced by worldly patterns. Furthermore, the challenge of cross-generational leadership is not merely practical in nature, but also theological. Each generation brings different experiences, values, and perspectives in understanding faith and spirituality. Generation X tends to value institutional stability and loyalty, while Millennials are more oriented toward authentic experience and community. Generation Z, having grown up entirely in the digital age, communicates and expresses faith in ways that differ greatly from previous generations. In this context, church leaders are called to become bridges between generations, rather than simply following trends or rigidly preserving tradition.

This research is motivated by the importance of understanding the development of the Kingdom of God in Indonesia as a reality present in the lives of the people through the values ​​of love, justice, and peace in a pluralistic society. The purpose of this research is to analyze the factors that support and hinder the development of the Kingdom of God in Indonesia and explain its application in contemporary life. The method used is a qualitative descriptive method through a literature review and theological analysis of the social, cultural, and religious dynamics that are developing in Indonesian society. The results of the study indicate that the development of the Kingdom of God is supported by the role of the church in evangelistic missions, holistic services, universal values ​​of love and justice, and a spirit of religious moderation. On the other hand, this development is hampered by local cultural resistance, socio-political dynamics, a lack of comprehensive theological understanding, and the potential for conflict in poorly managed plurality. The implications of this research emphasize that the Kingdom of God needs to be lived as a contemporary reality through personal and social transformation, obedience to God's will, and the realization of identity as citizens of the Kingdom of God in everyday life.

The book on the City of God and the City of Man is a masterpiece by St. Augustine that is very influential in the history of philosophy and theology. This book contains the background of Augustine's philosophical and theological reflections on the accusation of the destruction of the Roman Empire against Christianity. The City of God described in Augustine's perspective is a city that prioritizes love for God. While the City of Man is a city that reflects self-love. The implications of both types of cities in Augustine's perspective are very relevant to be discussed in the discourse on the concept of statehood. This paper also aims to analyze the relationship between democracy and capitalism in the perspective of Augustine of Hippo's thought, especially through the concept of civitas Dei (City of God) and civitas terrena (World City). This study uses a qualitative method with a library research approach. The results of this study show that democracy and capitalism, although providing space for freedom, are vulnerable to deviations when not guided by the correct moral orientation. In light of Augustine's thought, the crisis in modern democracy such as; Money politics, media manipulation, and anarchic demonstrations reflect the dominance of self-love (amor sui) that characterizes the civitas terrena. Therefore, democracy can only operate fairly if it is rooted in moral values ​​that lead to the common good (Bonum communae).

This study examines eschatology within the framework of Catholic faith as a reflection of faith and hope of salvation, not merely as a depiction of the end times. The background highlights the need to avoid reducing eschatology to a sole event of judgment day, by emphasizing the close relationship between eschatology, Christology, and soteriology, as well as the role of faith in the daily life of Catholic believers. The aim of the study is to articulate eschatology as an integrative framework that connects faith, hope, love, sacraments, liturgy, and inculturation in the Church’s praxis, and to consolidate the active participation of the faithful in the Kingdom of God, which has been initiated but not yet completed. The research method is descriptive-analytical literature review, comparing the views of experts, the Church Magisterium, and contemporary liturgical and theological documents to construct a comprehensive theoretical framework. The main findings indicate that Catholic eschatology functions as a moral and spiritual engine: (1) it integrates the “already and not yet” in the experience of faith; (2) it links eschatological hope with the actions of love, justice, and social liberation; (3) it bridges private faith with sacramental practice and inculturation. Theological and pastoral implications include strengthening faith formation, participation in liturgy, and an imaginative response to present-day social and environmental challenges. This narrative affirms a living, inclusive, and relevant eschatology for the Church’s life of faith in the contemporary era.

The crisis of human spirituality, which separates the inner dimension from the universe, is at the root of the current global environmental crisis. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively examine how Sufi principles are applied in environmental conservation practices at the Shadana Islamic Boarding School in Padarincang, and to determine how the teachings of the book Fathul 'Arifin influence the formation of the students’ ecological ethics. This research was conducted qualitatively through a case study. Data were collected through document analysis, in-depth interviews, and participatory observation from September 22 to October 5, 2025. The results indicate that the concept of spiritual purification, or tazkiyatun nafs, is integrated with nature conservation by activating the seven lathaif. Environmental conservation, such as protecting springs and forests, is viewed as a form of spiritual devotion to the Creator, as human awareness of the elements of fire, water, wind, and earth fosters a strong inner connection with the macrocosm or the universe. The results indicate that the santri paradigm has shifted from anthropocentrism to theocentrism. This study proposes an “Eco-Sufism” model, grounded in the transformation of inner consciousness, as an alternative solution to address environmental degradation. This approach emphasizes that to foster sustainable harmony among humans, God, and the universe, ecosystem sustainability requires a strong foundation of spirituality.

The book on the City of God and the City of Man is a masterpiece by St. Augustine that is very influential in the history of philosophy and theology. This book contains the background of Augustine's philosophical and theological reflections on the accusation of the destruction of the Roman Empire against Christianity. The City of God described in Augustine's perspective is a city that prioritizes love for God. While the City of Man is a city that reflects self-love. The implications of both types of cities in Augustine's perspective are very relevant to be discussed in the discourse on the concept of statehood. This paper also aims to analyze the relationship between democracy and capitalism in the perspective of Augustine of Hippo's thought, especially through the concept of civitas Dei (City of God) and civitas terrena (World City). This study uses a qualitative method with a library research approach. The results of this study show that democracy and capitalism, although providing space for freedom, are vulnerable to deviations when not guided by the correct moral orientation. In light of Augustine's thought, the crisis in modern democracy such as; Money politics, media manipulation, and anarchic demonstrations reflect the dominance of self-love (amor sui) that characterizes the civitas terrena. Therefore, democracy can only operate fairly if it is rooted in moral values ​​that lead to the common good (Bonum communae).

The fleeting nature of human life constitutes a key theme in theological reflections within the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Psalms in the Alkitab, which highlights human limitations and the inherent uncertainty of existence. Psalm 39:6–7 depicts human life as a transient shadow and emphasizes the futility of human efforts if they are not oriented toward God. This study seeks to explore the meaning of human transience in this passage and assess its theological significance for contemporary life. A qualitative approach with biblical hermeneutics is employed, considering historical, literary, and theological dimensions. The analysis indicates that the metaphor of the “shadow” illustrates human fragility, while the depiction of life’s futility critiques the human tendency to find purpose solely in worldly endeavors. Despite this, Psalm 39 ultimately directs readers toward hope in God, portraying Him as the ultimate source of true meaning. In a modern, materialistic context, this message continues to be relevant as a reminder of human dependency on God and the limitations of human life. Therefore, the transience of life does not signify the end of existential purpose but rather opens the way to deeper spiritual insight and the strengthening of faith.

Knowledge should not only make human beings intellectually capable, but also guide them to understand the meaning and direction of life. However, in modern education, knowledge is often reduced to an instrument for obtaining grades, degrees, employment, and material success. This condition indicates a crisis of meaning in education, where knowledge grows rapidly but is not always followed by moral awareness and spiritual maturity. This article examines the Philosophy of Unity of Sciences as an alternative paradigm to restore the meaning of knowledge in modern education. This study uses library research with a descriptive-critical approach. The primary sources include the Qur’an, Hadith, Al-Ghazali’s Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm Al-Dīn, Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas’ Islam and Secularism, and the Javanese ethical text Serat Wedhatama. This article is also strengthened by the thoughts of Muslim scholars such as Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Al-Biruni, Ibn Al-Haytham, Al-Khawarizmi, and Ibn Khaldun. The result of this study shows that the Philosophy of Unity of Sciences views all knowledge as originating from Allah. Therefore, religious knowledge and general knowledge should not be separated or opposed to each other. Both should work together to form human beings who are faithful, rational, ethical, and responsible. In this sense, knowledge can be understood as “a way home”, namely a way to return to God, to the self, to humanity, and to nature.

The contemporary ecological crisis demonstrates an imbalance in the relationship between humans and nature that is not only ecological, but also theological and moral. This article aims to analyze the ecological crisis from the perspective of Augustine of Hippo through the concepts of free will (liberum arbitrium) and the order of love (ordo amoris), as well as their relevance to the relationship between humans and nature. This study employs a qualitative approach using the library research method. The primary data sources are secondary literature, namely books and academic studies discussing Augustine’s philosophical and theological thought, supported by journal articles, Church documents, and contemporary ecotheological studies. The data were analyzed using descriptive-analytical and hermeneutic methods. The results of the study indicate that the ecological crisis originates from the disorientation of human will influenced by excessive self-love, which gives rise to an anthropocentric and exploitative attitude toward nature. From Augustine’s perspective, the restoration of the relationship between humans and nature requires an order of love directed toward God as the highest good. Therefore, the ecological crisis is understood as a spiritual crisis that demands an inner transformation of humanity in establishing an ethical relationship with all creation.

This research aims to analyze the integration of biblical authority in the construction of the theological education curriculum through a theological and pedagogical approach. The authority of the Bible as the normative and final word of God has a central role in the formation of doctrine, ethics, and practices of church life, so it should be the main foundation in the development of the theological education curriculum. In practice, however, there is a tendency that the construction of the curriculum is more influenced by modern academic and pedagogical approaches without adequate integration into biblical theological foundations. This study uses a qualitative method with a literature study approach that analyzes various sources of systematic theology and Christian education theory. The results of the study show that the integration of biblical authority in the theological education curriculum can be carried out through three main aspects, namely: (1) the placement of the Bible as a normative source in the entire curriculum structure, (2) the integration of theological values in learning design, and (3) the development of pedagogical models oriented towards spiritual formation and character. The findings of this study confirm that the construction of a theological education curriculum rooted in biblical authority not only results in academic competence, but also shapes spirituality, integrity of faith, and readiness for ministry. Thus, this research makes a conceptual contribution in developing an integrative theological education curriculum model between theological and pedagogical dimensions.