KAMASEAN: Jurnal Teologi Kristen

Front Matter (Cover, Editorial, Table of Content)

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A postcolonial critique of John Warneck and the Batak religious identity

Bonnarty Steven Silalahi — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines Johannes Warneck’s theological and anthropological interpretation of Batak indigenous religion as heathenism within the broader framework of colonial mission discourse. The research aims to evaluate whether Warneck’s category of heathenism adequately represents Batak religious identity or instead distorts it through a theological-civilizational hierarchy. Methodologically, the study employs qualitative textual analysis of Warneck’s The Living Christ and Dying Heathenism, read through a postcolonial hermeneutical lens and compared with historical and ethnographic scholarship on Batak religion, cosmology, and customary law. Theoretically, the study engages with postcolonial criticism and biblical models of contextualization, especially Acts 15 and Acts 17, to assess the relationship between Gospel proclamation and local culture. The findings show that Warneck construed Batak religion as estrangement from God, bondage to spirits, moral deficiency, and spiritual degeneration, while Batak society in fact possessed coherent religious concepts, ritual structures, and customary legal institutions. The study concludes that a contextual and redemptive missiology offers a more adequate framework, one that preserves Christian theological conviction while taking local identity and cultural forms seriously.

The incarnate Logos and manunggaling kawulo Gusti

Tri Astuti, Joko Priyono — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the concept of Manunggaling Kawulo Gusti within Javanese spirituality, employing a theological framework centered on the incarnation of the Logos, with a focus on the soteriological doctrine of Theosis and on intercultural hermeneutics as conceptualized by Paul Ricoeur. Employing a qualitative critical literature review methodology, this research brings primary theological sources, biblical exegesis, and Javanese cultural anthropology into the critical dialogue. The analysis demonstrates that Manunggaling Kawulo Gusti articulates a profound Javanese aspiration toward ontological union with the Divine, expressed through ascetic practice (laku), contemplative silence (suwung), and cosmic harmony (memayu hayuning bawana). This research suggests that the idea of the Logos incarnate, understood as the union of God and humanity in the person of Christ, provides a standard framework for re-examining Javanese spiritual aspirations. The study proposes Theosis as a conceptual link, rather than categorizing Manunggaling Kawulo Gusti as syncretism or assimilating it into an evangelical context, suggesting that the movement of the Logos towards humanity (incarnation) facilitates the possibility of humanity’s transformation and participation in the divine life. The role of the Holy Spirit as the agent of both the incarnation and the ongoing process of Christification is foregrounded throughout.

From dogma to dialogue

Styven Bill Chevyn Tambunan, Riris Johanna Siagian — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The phenomenon of interreligious intolerance is still a serious challenge in people’s lives, both globally and in Indonesia. Intolerance often arises from a rigid and exclusive interpretation of religious dogma, thus triggering discrimination, conflict, and rejection of groups with different beliefs. This article aims to examine the relationship between dogma and intolerance and explore interreligious dialogue as an alternative approach in building more inclusive religious relations. This research uses qualitative methods with a library research approach and a narrative literature review. Data were obtained from various books, journal articles, and theological works discussing dogma, intolerance, and interreligious dialogue, and were then analyzed descriptively and comparatively by applying source triangulation. The research results show that intolerance is not primarily caused by the existence of dogma, but rather by exclusive interpretations that reject the existence and dignity of other groups. By utilizing Raimon Panikkar’s typology of dialogue, namely dialectical and dialogical dialogue, this article shows that religious beliefs can be maintained while opening up a space for encounters that respect differences. The contribution of this research lies in the application of Panikkar’s dialogue framework in the context of Indonesia’s religious plurality as an effort to encourage a shift from dogmatic exclusivism to dialogical inclusivism.

The retteng as grief therapy

Ismail Banne Ringgi’ — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Death frequently triggers a sense of alienation that underscores human vulnerability. Within the context of Torajanese society, a latent tension often arises between cultural expressions of mourning and the dogmatic formalities of Christian pastoral theology, leaving a vacuum in the management of the mourners’ psychological trauma. Addressing this issue, this hermeneutic-contextual library research marries cultural anthropology with the theology of lament to dissect retteng, a traditional Torajanese lamentation poetry, as a medium of catharsis. The objective is to uncover the therapeutic and spiritual dimensions of retteng in order to formulate a hybrid pastoral care model capable of integrating local wisdom into pastoral ministry. The analysis demonstrates that retteng operates beyond mere aesthetic boundaries; it serves as a communal space to nurture the psychological resilience of grieving families. As an intersection between cultural spirituality and faith, this poetry weaves the misery of human transience with the transcendent sovereignty of God, transforming fatalistic lamentation into a transformative proclamation of eschatological hope. Through this study, retteng is proven to possess legitimate theological healing power, making it a contextual and adaptive pastoral instrument. Integrating this tradition into pastoral ministry will revitalize a grounded faith, where local cultural expressions are elevated into profound acts of faith that restore the community in Christ.

The SST alliance

Ted Peters — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article argues that the Christian public theologian engages the wider culture in rational discourse regarding truth versus falsity, information versus disinformation, and the common good over division. In the global struggle to base public policy on accuracy, the public theologian could make a positive contribution by partaking in an alliance made up of Science, Skepticism, and Theology (SST). This SST Alliance should lift up a shared vision of the common good. Through discourse clarification and worldview construction, the theologian should critique both ideological scientism and materialist skepticism for going too far. What is most valuable to the wider culture is the methodological commitment of both science and skepticism to evidence-based reasoning, something the public theologian endorses. Ultimately, by advocating for this interdisciplinary collaboration, this study demonstrates that theology serves as a vital, rational partner in the urgent global quest to combat the proliferation of misinformation and restore the integrity of objective truth in the public square.