Indonesian Journal of Theology

Friendship and Virtue Ethics in the Book of Job

2023-12-05T09:03:50+00:00

A book review of Friendship and Virtue Ethics in the Book of Job.

The New Heretics: Skepticism, Secularism, and Progressive Christianity

2024-04-18T17:39:30+00:00

A book review of The New Heretics: Skepticism, Secularism, and Progressive Christianity.

Engaging Karl Barth's Theology with Nurcholis Madjid and Ibn Taymiyya

2024-02-06T11:55:24+00:00

This study presents a pioneering dialogue between Karl Barth’s Christian theology and Islamic theological perspectives in the Indonesian context, focusing specifically on the concept of universal salvation. The primary interlocutors are Nurcholish Madjid, interpreting Ibn Taymiyya, and Karl Barth’s theology. Barth’s universalism envisions an inclusive future for humanity, elaborated in Barth’s exposition of the theme “Jesus is Victor,” suggesting a universal reprieve from divine eschatological judgment. Correspondingly, Madjid’s interpretation of Islamic theology proposes a universally hopeful future, recognizing the broad spectrum of divine revelation across various religious traditions, thereby fostering a sense of shared hope among diverse religious followers. Ibn Taymiyya, often misconceived as a figurehead for radical elements, is depicted in this essay as advocating a form of universalism where divine mercy ultimately triumphs over retribution. This article contends that this mutual anticipation of universal salvation can pave the way for meaningful Christian-Islamic interactions in the Indonesian milieu, contributing significantly to interfaith dialogue and understanding.

Theopoetics

2024-01-16T13:36:41+00:00

This article proposes theopoetics as an alternative to theology. It explores the distinction between ‘theo-poetics’ and ‘theo-poetry,’ elucidating the poetic (poiesis) aspects absent in theo-poetry. While theo-poetry employs theological language poetically and metaphorically, theo-poetics delves into poiesis as a reflection on the creation of meaning concerning the divine (theos), thereby supplanting logos in theo-logy. Theopoetics is not ‘negative theology’ but, as described by John D. Caputo, is a weak and radical theology. While strong theology actively seeks the highest episteme, theopoetics, being a weak theology, emphasizes a more passive and receptive mode. As a radical theology, theopoetics is a hovering spirit that haunts conventional theology, is not subservient to any institution or authority, and permeates down to its roots (radix). By uprooting logos in theo-logy, theopoetics emerges as a unique, though improper, theology.

The House of God as the House of Salvation for All People

2024-03-25T09:19:50+00:00

This paper explores the existence of eunuchs in ancient Israel and the Israelites’ reception of them in the postexilic period. Using a postcolonial approach, this paper analyzes the ambiguity of the identities of foreigners and eunuchs, the liminal position they occupy in the Israelite community, the stereotypes they receive, and God’s actions to create a third space for them. The postcolonial reading of Isaiah 56:1-8 shows that there is an opportunity for foreigners and eunuchs who promise to keep the Sabbath and obey God’s covenant to live and become part of the Israelite community. Furthermore, Isaiah 56:1-8 also creates a third space for eunuchs where their dignity will be restored and their names will be immortalized forever. When connected to the Indonesian context, God’s initiative to bring marginalized and rejected eunuchs into the third space—a space of transformation that breaks down all oppressive binaries— becomes news of hope for sexual minority groups in Indonesia who have also experienced trauma and suffering. This interpretation calls for religious communities, including their leaders, to create a warm and loving home for others who are also part of God's family.

Motifs of Healing

2024-03-14T19:03:25+00:00

This article delves into the unique role of music as a therapeutic tool in ancient Israel, with a focus on the biblical account of music therapy healing Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-23). This study attempts to explore and question the relationship between music, healing, and religion. This study aims to: first, to interpret the text of 1 Samuel 16:14-23 which introduces the significance of music in the ancient Israelite tradition. Second, to emphasizes the function of music as healing therapy, where David uses the lyre to heal Saul. This text subtly demonstrates the prevalence of the healing practice of music in the biblical world. Third, it investigates narrative interpretive methods that discuss the extent to which Israel, through David, defines himself and how the superiority of music helps shape Israel’s self-perception as a musical community. Data was collected through literature studies/scientific literature related to the title of this study. The results of the data collection will then be processed and presented in the form of a description.

Theological Reinterpretation of Stereotypes of Women as Paboru in Tolu Sahundulan Lima Saodoran Kinship System

2023-08-25T16:51:09+00:00

This article questions the stereotypes of women in the Tolu Sahundulan Lima Saodoran (TSLS) kinship system in Simalungun, which is conspired by constructing patriarchal theology and intertwining it to form a collective consciousness. The reinterpretation was carried out to stimulate awareness that women are not only placed in a definitive meaning function based on traditional demands, but it is time for them to be aware of progress in the form of a presence in a new meaning in public spaces. The method used is descriptive qualitative research, interview approach, and secondary literature study with the principles of dialogue and criticism of feminist theology. The conclusion is that it is essential to read and reinterpret the image of women’s inferiority and stereotypes of women in the Simalungun traditional structure pioneered by GKPS, Simalungun women scholars, and women theologians. The meaning of labor in TSLS is similar to how God expressed His motherly love to the Israelites in the desert and the 5,000 hungry people and how Jesus gave life through table service by providing bread and wine. Thus, the customary legal obligations for women’s clans are significant to interpret theologically because successful implementation of customs will not be achieved without paboru as a manifestation of the existence of a mothering God who cares for His people and gives life.

History and Dynamics of Javanese Christianity in Tegal, Central Java, 1862-1942

2024-01-26T22:16:40+00:00

This article examines the history of Christianity in Tegal as the place where the Nederlandsche Gereformeerde Zendingsvereeniging (NGZV) first worked in Central Java in 1862. Aart Vermeer, whom the NGZV sent, opened a new area in north Tegal and established a Javanese Christian community there. Growth was insignificant until 1904 when Neukirchener Mission, or De Bond van Zendeling van de Salatiga Zending op Java (Salatiga Zending), replaced the NGZV and served Tegal’s Christians until approximately 1942. The data in this historical research came from archives, documents, newspapers, and records related to the research theme. Based on the historical search, it was found that the history and growth of indigenous (Javanese) Christianity in Tegal could not be separated from a place called Muaratua which became the initial landscape. The ministry transitioned from NGZV to Salatiga Zending, which influenced the pattern of service to Christian groups in Muaratua and Tegal in general.