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This study aims to develop a strategy for developing praise and worship services through a deeper biblical theology of Psalm 150, as a fundamental solution for congregational growth at YHS Eka Sinta Church in Kapuas Regency. The main premise of this study is based on the crucial disconnect between contemporary church music practices, which tend to be performative, and the essence of the doxology authoritatively contained in the text Scripture. By integrating descriptive qualitative methods and an exegetical biblical theology approach, this study explores the imperative meaning and poetic structure of Psalm 150 and then engages them in intercultural dialogue with the sociocultural context of local churches in Kalimantan. The results reveal that the biblical theology Psalm 150 emphasizes the totality of instrumental use and the universality of the subject of praise as an absolute reflection of God's sovereignty and might. Field findings indicate that the effectiveness of music services is often hampered by technical limitations and theological shallowness of liturgical ministers. This study concludes that healthy congregational growth, both in terms of spiritual quality and quantity, is rooted in the extent to which the church able to actualize biblical theological values ​​in expressions of praise that are relevant and resonate with the cultural background and local identity of its congregation. The resulting strategy offers a holistic ministry model, in which church music returns to its essential function as an instrument of faith transformation and a means of growing the Kingdom of God, adaptively yet faithful to the biblical text.

The study examines John 15:1–8, highlighting its Christological, ecclesiological dimensions, and pastoral implications in a contemporary context, particularly in West Kalimantan. Employing an exegetical approach integrated with theological reflection, the metaphor of the “true vine” is understood as a declaration of Jesus’ identity as the source of authentic life and the relational foundation of the community of disciples. The concept of “abiding” is interpreted as an ongoing existential connectedness with Christ, expressed through practices of faith such as engagement with the Word, prayer, and love. Meanwhile, “bearing fruit” is not merely ethical output but an authentic manifestation of life grounded in this relational union. Furthermore, the study argues that Johannine ecclesiology is organic in nature, portraying the church as a living community deriving its existence from and in Christ, rather than a purely institutional structure. The pastoral implications of this metaphor are significant in addressing local challenges such as individualism, ecological crisis, religious plurality, and the spiritual formation of youth. Using a praxis–reflection–praxis framework, the text is integrated into theological education as a model linking faith reflection with concrete action. The findings affirm that Christ-centered spirituality fosters personal and communal transformation relevant to the contemporary church.

Divorce is an increasing social reality within Christian congregations, including in Indonesia, bringing profound psychological, social, and spiritual impacts while simultaneously presenting serious challenges for the church's pastoral ministry. This article examines the theological foundation and practical approaches in pastoral accompaniment for congregation members experiencing divorce, employing library research methodology within a pastoral theology framework. The study reveals that the church is called to be present not as a judge, but as a healing, supportive, and restoring community. Effective pastoral accompaniment encompasses empathetic pastoral counseling, a compassionate congregational community, intentional attention to affected children, and a long-term restoration commitment rooted in Gospel grace. The church is called to move beyond stigmatization toward genuine acceptance of wounded individuals, reflecting the redemptive love of Christ. This article concludes that the church's response to divorce must balance biblical integrity with deep compassion, affirming both the sanctity of marriage and the dignity of broken individuals. Thus, the church can become a safe space for every congregation member to experience genuine restoration and rediscover hope in Christ.

The paradigmatic transformation of Christian Religious Education (CRE) in the digital era has become a crucial issue to be examined because the development of information technology, virtual culture, and globalization has brought significant changes to adolescents’ mindsets, behaviors, and character formation. These conditions have created various moral and spiritual challenges, such as identity crises, declining ethical sensitivity, and the increasing influence of individualistic and hedonistic values among young people. This study aims to analyze the paradigm transformation of Christian Religious Education in shaping adolescent character through a theological-pedagogical perspective that is relevant to the context of the digital era. The research employs a qualitative method using a library research approach and descriptive analysis of various scientific, theological, and pedagogical sources related to Christian education, teacher spirituality, and adolescent character development in the digital age. The findings indicate that the transformation of the CRE paradigm should be directed toward contextual, participatory, and transformative learning by positioning teachers as spiritual role models and facilitators of character formation. Furthermore, the integration of Christian values, the ethical use of technology, and collaboration among schools, families, and churches are important factors in shaping adolescents who possess strong character, integrity, and spiritual maturity amid increasingly complex digital challenges.

Urban poverty remains a complex social problem that affects various community groups, including scavengers who work within the informal sector. This study aims to analyze the survival strategies of scavengers in Tangerang City and reflect on their experiences from a Christian theological perspective. The research uses a qualitative approach through literature study and descriptive analysis of relevant social phenomena. The findings show that scavengers develop several survival strategies, including utilizing family and community networks, working persistently, selecting strategic collection areas, managing limited income, and adapting to uncertain environmental and economic conditions. Nevertheless, scavengers continue to face social marginalization, economic vulnerability, occupational risks, limited access to health services, and inadequate social protection. From a Christian theological perspective, this reality calls for a response grounded in love, justice, human dignity, and concern for marginalized communities. Therefore, churches, local communities, and wider society are expected to participate actively in empowering scavengers through holistic, inclusive, and contextual approaches that strengthen welfare, social recognition, and sustainable livelihoods.

This article theologically analyzes the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers through a study of the doctrine of pneumatology, traced from the testimony of Scripture to its impact on the practice of Christian faith. The purpose of this study is to explain how the work of the Holy Spirit is understood not merely as a theological concept, but also as a spiritual reality that shapes the identity, character, and dynamics of believers’ service. The method employed is qualitative research with a library research approach, involving the analysis of relevant theological and biblical sources to construct a conceptual framework concerning the work of the Holy Spirit in guidance, conviction, the sealing of salvation, spiritual transformation, and empowerment in ministry. This research is necessary because there remains a limited understanding of pneumatology that tends to be doctrinal and disconnected from concrete faith experiences. The findings of this study indicate that the presence of the Holy Spirit plays a vital role in leading believers into truth, forming Christian character, strengthening their identity as children of God, and empowering them to serve effectively within the community. Therefore, pneumatology holds significant practical relevance in fostering a dynamic, reflective, and transformative life of faith in the contemporary Christian context.

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.

This study examines the contribution of Anselmus dari Canterbury in addressing the tendency of anti-intellectualism in certain theological practices that separate faith from reason. The background of this research lies in the growing assumption that faith does not require philosophical reflection, which often leads to subjective and uncritical interpretations of sacred texts. The objective of this study is to analyze Anselm’s concept of fides quaerens intellectum as a framework for integrating faith and reason. This research employs a qualitative method with a philosophical and hermeneutical approach, focusing on textual analysis of Anselm’s works and relevant scholarly literature. The findings show that Anselm does not oppose faith and reason but emphasizes that faith naturally seeks understanding. This integration prevents arbitrary interpretations and strengthens the rational foundation of belief. The study implies that Anselm’s thought remains relevant for contemporary theological discourse, especially in promoting a balanced and critical understanding of faith in modern religious contexts.

The gobal ecological crisis reflects the deteriorating relationship between humans and nature caused by the anthropocentric paradigm that places human at the center of life. This perspective encourages excessive exploitation of nature, resulting in inviromental destruction and ecosystem imbalance. This study aims to analyze the decontruction of anthtropocentricm within the ecological crisis and to reconstruct the relationship between humans and creation through the perspective of eco-theology. The research employs a quaitative method using a literature study approach by analizyng  various theological and ecological sources. The findings reveal that the ecological crisis is not merely a technical, but also a crisis of human paradigms toward nature. Therefore, the deconstruction of anthropocentrims is necessary to challenge the exploitative mindset of humans toward creation. Eco-theology offers an understanding that humans are an integral part of creation and possess moral and spiritual responsibilities  top reserve ecological sustainability. The relationship between humans and nature needs to be rebuilt harmoniously through ecological awareness, invironmental ethics, and collective responsibility for the sustainability of life. Thus, reconstructing the relationship between humans and creation becaomes an essential step toward developing a more ethical, sustainable, respectful awareness of all  creation.

This study starts from the observation that Christian education is still often delivered in a one-way, top-down manner. As a result, learners are less actively engaged in understanding their faith and social lives. Paulo Freire’s ideas on critical education offer an approach that emphasizes dialogue, participation, and social change. This study aims to examine Christian educational theology through Freire’s perspective and to explore how his ideas can be applied in learning processes. A qualitative approach was used, employing library research methods—reading, note-taking, and analyzing written sources related to Freire’s thought and Christian educational theology. The findings indicate that Freire’s approach can shift education from teacher-centered to learner-centered. Learning becomes more dialogical, encouraging critical thinking and deeper understanding of reality. Christian education then focuses not only on knowledge of faith but also on character development and spiritual life. Consequently, Christian education should be developed to be more open, participatory, and dialogical through activities such as group discussions, open Q&A sessions, and faith reflection. This enables learners to grow in faith while developing stronger social awareness. Future research is recommended to study the direct application of Freire’s ideas in Christian educational institutions.

This article explores the map of Christian education approaches from theological, pedagogical, psychological, and contextual perspectives. Christian education plays a vital role in shaping the faith, character, and spirituality of students in a comprehensive manner. Using a literature review method, the study analyzes various sources on Christian education theology. The findings reveal that the theological approach emphasizes the Bible as the primary foundation for learning, while the pedagogical approach focuses on active and participatory teaching methods. The psychological approach tailors instruction to the developmental stages of students, and the contextual approach links faith with students' real-life experiences. Each approach has its strengths and limitations, and Christian educators are encouraged to integrate these approaches to achieve holistic learning goals. The study emphasizes the importance of collaboration among schools, families, and churches to create an educational ecosystem that fosters the spiritual and character growth of students. By combining these approaches, educators can better equip students for both spiritual and personal development.

Divorce has become an increasingly common reality in Christian family life and poses serious challenges for the church in carrying out pastoral family ministry. Theologically, divorce stands in tension with Christian ethics, which views marriage as a sacred and covenantal institution established by God. This article aims to analyze Christian ethics regarding divorce from a biblical theological perspective and to examine its implications for family ministry within the context of Ketapang, West Kalimantan. This study employs a qualitative research method with a theological-normative and contextual approach through a literature review of biblical texts, theological books, and scholarly journals. The findings indicate that Scripture affirms marriage as God’s ideal will, while divorce is understood as a consequence of human sinfulness and relational brokenness. In the context of Ketapang, social, economic, and cultural factors contribute significantly to the vulnerability of families to divorce. Therefore, the church is called to develop a contextual family ministry that not only upholds Christian ethical norms but also embodies love, justice, forgiveness, and restoration for broken families. This article emphasizes that Christian ethics concerning divorce must be practiced pastorally and transformatively within the life of the local church.

Social change in the context of liquid modernity has significantly influenced how people understand interpersonal relationships, love, and commitment. Contemporary relationships tend to be flexible, temporary, and oriented towards the fulfillment of subjective needs, making loyalty and long-term commitment often viewed as a threat to personal autonomy. Based on Zygmunt Bauman's analysis of liquid modernity and liquid love, this study examines the crisis of modern relationships as an anthropological and theological crisis of meaning. Specifically, the study focuses on the Nota Doktrinal Una Caro as the Catholic Church's theological response to these relational dynamics. Using a library research method with a qualitative and analytical-hermeneutical approach, this study interprets magisterial texts in critical dialogue with the sociological theory of liquid modernity. The research findings show that the Nota Doktrinal Una Caro offers an integrated anthropological-theological vision by affirming Catholic marriage as a permanent, monogamous, and indissoluble communion of life and love. Fidelity is understood as the highest actualization of freedom, while sexuality is seen as an expression of total self-giving, offering an alternative to the fragmentation of modern relationships. The study also emphasizes the importance of a dialogical and formative approach in family counseling.

This study examines the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) among theology students and its ethical and theological implications for theological education in the Society 5.0 era. Employing a light mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, the research involved theology students through surveys and semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that GenAI is primarily utilized as a learning support tool for understanding course materials and developing academic assignments. While students demonstrate awareness of potential bias and ethical concerns, consistent transparency and critical reflection in AI usage remain limited. The theological concept of imago Dei emerges as a significant analytical lens, emphasizing human dignity and moral responsibility in academic practices. The study concludes that GenAI can constructively support theological education when integrated with faith-based ethical literacy and clear institutional guidelines.

This study examines the anthropomorphic expression “the LORD came down to see” in Genesis 11:5 through an integrated historical–grammatical exegetical approach. The main objective is to analyze the lexical meaning, grammatical structure, historical context, and theological implications of the phrase within the framework of Old Testament theology. The research employs a qualitative library method, focusing on the Hebrew text supported by lexicons, commentaries, and Ancient Near Eastern studies. The findings indicate that the verb יָרַד (yārad) does not merely denote a spatial descent but signifies divine intervention, while רָאָה (rāʾāh) conveys evaluative and judicial observation. Grammatically, the use of the wayyiqtol form followed by an infinitive construct emphasizes intentional and purposeful divine action. Historically, the expression functions polemically against Mesopotamian religious concepts, particularly the idea of ziggurats as places where deities descend. Theologically, this anthropomorphic language serves as a medium to articulate the dynamic relationship between divine transcendence and immanence. Therefore, the phrase should not be understood literally but as a theological construct that communicates God’s active involvement and sovereign authority in human history.

The New Testament is an essential part of the Christian Bible, containing testimonies concerning the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the development of the early Church. To fully understand its message, it is necessary to examine the historical and theological contexts that shaped its composition. This article aims to explore the New Testament from historical and theological perspectives by examining the social, political, cultural, and religious background of the first-century world, the process of the writing of the New Testament books, and their principal theological messages. The study employs a library research method with a descriptive-analytical approach to various biblical and theological sources. The findings indicate that the New Testament emerged within the context of Roman rule, Jewish religious traditions, and Hellenistic cultural influences, all of which shaped both the authors and their audiences. The books of the New Testament were written to address the needs of early Christian communities, affirm the identity of Jesus Christ, strengthen believers' faith, and provide guidance for Christian living. Theologically, the New Testament emphasizes central themes such as the Kingdom of God, salvation through Jesus Christ, grace, the formation of the Church, and eschatological hope. Therefore, an understanding of the historical background and theological message of the New Testament is essential for accurate interpretation and for maintaining its relevance to the life of the Church and contemporary Christian believers.

The expression “God regretted” in Genesis 6:7 is one of the most theologically problematic statements in the Old Testament, as it seems to contradict the classical doctrine of God’s immutability. This study aims to examine the meaning of this expression through an exegetical approach, emphasizing the analysis of the Hebrew text and the lexical use of the word nāḥam. The method employed is qualitative-descriptive with a historical-grammatical and biblical-theological approach. The primary data are derived from the Hebrew text in the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and supported by lexical sources. The results indicate that the word nāḥam in Genesis 6:7 does not imply regret in the sense of wrongdoing, but rather refers to divine sorrow over the moral corruption of humanity. The expression represents a form of anthropomorphism used to depict the relationship between God and humans in language comprehensible to human beings. From an Old Testament theological perspective, this text affirms that God is relational and active in history, without compromising the consistency of His character. Therefore, the “regret of God” does not contradict the doctrine of divine immutability, but rather enriches the understanding of His involvement in human life.

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 study examines the theological tension between devotion to God and the influence of mammon within the context of church ministry, as reflected in Matius 6:24. The research aims to analyze how materialism shapes attitudes, motivations, and practices in ecclesiastical service, particularly in relation to financial and administrative responsibilities. The method employed is a literature analysis combined with a phenomenological approach, allowing for an integration of biblical teachings and lived ministry experiences. The findings reveal that mammon is not merely a material entity but a competing spiritual force that demands human loyalty, often subtly influencing the orientation of ministry. Materialism, therefore, emerges as a critical challenge to ministerial integrity, especially in contexts involving financial management. The novelty of this study lies in its integration of theological reflection with empirical ministry experience, emphasizing that integrity in church service is not only tested in spiritual expressions but also in the handling of material resources. This study contributes to practical theology by offering a contextual understanding of how faithfulness to God must be maintained amidst the persistent tension between spiritual calling and material demands.

From the beginning of creation, God had forbidden the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, warning that anyone who ate it would face death. However, this warning was ignored when Eve, tempted by Satan's persuasion, chose to disobey God's command. This action led to sin, as it reflected a wrong decision and went against God's will. Originally, Adam and Eve lived in a state of holiness and freedom from sin. God Himself stated that humans were created in His image and likeness, meaning they possessed a purity and nobility that reflected His love. However, their decision to eat the forbidden fruit removed that purity. As a result, humans were separated from God's holiness and fell into sin. This is the basis for the teaching affirmed in Romans 3:23, which states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This wrong choice had profound consequences, illustrating the importance of obedience to God's commands for maintaining purity and an intimate relationship with Him.