Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Simpson (STT): Simpson Journals
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Why Infusion of Virtue Matters? A Study on Thomas Aquinas’s Virtues in a Person’s Ethical Decision
Full text linkIn this article, I discuss the importance of St. Thomas Aquinas’s infused virtue in living an ethical Christian life, a critical element of church formation. The research question in this article answered the importance of infused virtue in understanding the goodness of a person\u27s moral life as a church member. The method used in this article is a literature study that focuses on the work of Thomas on acquired and infused virtue ethics. Thomas’s virtue ethics is demonstrated to be a complete set of ethics, that does not only focus on acquired ethics. Moral and intellectual virtues are not enough for human beings to achieve the proper purpose of their life by themselves. Therefore, human beings need the infusion of virtues as a part of God’s grace that will elevate their understanding of God’s universal moral order. There are three parts to this article, in the first part of the article, I present a critique of the belief that Christian ethics should rely only on habit as something that can be acquired through practice. In the second part of the article, I discuss Thomas’s virtue ethics by briefly introducing his concept of natural law and its relation to virtue. In the last part of this article, I provide a conclusion on why I think infused virtue matters
Evolution, Suffering, Omniscience and the Kenosis of Jesus Christ –Attempts at a Synthesis
Full text linkAt present, an intensive search is underway for a synthesis that satisfactorily explains the existence of evil and suffering against the background of the evolution of living beings and essential attributes of the Christian God. The methodological approach of this paper was to combine fundamental statements of the Christian faith, results of research in modern theological and philosophical publications, and findings of the natural sciences. The first attempt explains suffering and evil in the world in terms of evolution and human free will. The second attempt also takes into account the Angelic Fall and the Adamic Fall. The third attempt adds the following working hypothesis: God the Father is timeless. In contrast, God the Son, as part of his kenosis, subjected himself to time not only during his life as a human being on Earth, but also before and after. Various consequences of this working hypothesis were considered. The contribution of this working hypothesis is that it resolves the conflict between the free will of creatures and the omniscience of God and explains some other theological questions: The incarnation of Jesus Christ as a response to the Fall, the intra-Trinitarian dialogue and the significance of God the Father for creation
Contextualizing Mansinam’s Gospel Legacy: Forming Papua’s Alpha Generation through Early Childhood Christian Education
Full text linkPapua had received the Gospel since 1855, yet continued to experience persistent socio-economic and moral challenges, including poverty, limited access to quality education, and the erosion of cultural values. These realities indicated a theological and developmental disconnect between the region’s Christian identity and its lived social condition. This study aimed to explore how Early Childhood Christian Education (ECCE) could be developed as a transformative response to this gap, particularly for the Alpha Generation growing up in Papua’s multicultural context. Conducted through a descriptive qualitative approach within the socio-religious context of Papua, the study employed theological and pedagogical reflection to analyse how Christian values and Papuan indigenous wisdom can be integrated into early education. Data were collected through literature review, analysis of church-based documents, and contextual educational materials. The findings revealed a critical need for Gospel-centered, culturally grounded ECCE models that promote holistic spiritual, emotional, and moral formation from an early age. The study concluded that a contextual and integrative approach to ECCE could bridge the divide between ritual faith and transformative Christian living. This research contributed a conceptual framework for churches and theological institutions to equip young children with Christlike character, cultural rootedness, and active participation in the renewal of Papuan society
Iman Dan Teknologi: Antara Kontemplasi Dan Koneksi
Full text linkPerkembangan teknologi digital yang pesat telah menciptakan lanskap baru bagi praktik dan ekspresi keagamaan, menimbulkan dialektika antara iman dan teknologi dalam bingkai kontemplasi spiritual dan koneksi sosial. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan dialektis tersebut serta dampaknya terhadap pertumbuhan iman, dengan fokus pada sintesis antara teologi dan praktik pemanfaatan teknologi. Metode yang digunakan adalah studi kepustakaan kualitatif dengan teknik analisis isi, analisis komparatif, dan sintesis konseptual terhadap literatur teologis dan akademis terkini. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa teknologi berfungsi sebagai fasilitator dualistis: di satu sisi, ia memperkaya spiritualitas melalui akses terhadap sumber-sumber rohani digital, aplikasi kontemplatif, dan komunitas virtual yang memperluas jangkauan iman. Di sisi lain, teknologi berpotensi mendangkalkan spiritualitas melalui distraksi, informasi yang menyesatkan, dan pelemahan interaksi tatap muka. Pembahasan menekankan bahwa kunci dari pemanfaatan teknologi yang positif terletak pada kebijaksanaan digital dan kerangka teologis yang menempatkan iman sebagai fondasi, sehingga teknologi menjadi alat yang tunduk pada nilai-nilai spiritual, bukan sebaliknya. Disimpulkan bahwa keseimbangan antara kontemplasi dan koneksi digital sangat penting untuk pertumbuhan iman yang autentik dan kontekstual di era modern
The Sabu Tribe\u27s Concept of Culture and Traditions Through the Perspective of Feminist Theology
Full text linkThis research examines the culture and traditions of the Sabu tribe through a feminist theological perspective to understand how women are positioned in a social system that is often associated with patriarchy. Although injustice against women is still found in various cultural practices in Indonesia, research findings show that the puru tradition actually presents the value of equality and respect. Using a descriptive qualitative method, this study found that puru functions as a protection mechanism for women from harassment, prejudice, and immoral acts. This tradition is in line with the Christian teaching of God\u27s just love and respect for human dignity. Through puru, Sabu women gain space to determine their own way of life, develop as a whole person, and enjoy equal rights with men. Thus, women are seen as independent individuals and have control over their existence and future
Injil dalam Dunia Digital: Strategi Pelayanan Kontekstual di Era Digital
Full text linkPenelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis strategi pelayanan kontekstual dalam menyampaikan Injil di era digital. Latar belakang penelitian ini adalah perubahan budaya komunikasi dan interaksi akibat perkembangan teknologi digital yang menuntut gereja hadir secara relevan tanpa kehilangan esensi Injil. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan studi literatur dari berbagai jurnal teologi dan penelitian terkait pelayanan digital. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelayanan kontekstual digital memiliki empat aspek utama: kebutuhan strategi untuk menjangkau generasi digital, landasan teologis yang berakar pada inkarnasi Kristus dan Amanat Agung, peluang pelayanan melalui media sosial dan jejaring daring, serta tantangan berupa banjir informasi, penyederhanaan teologi, kesenjangan teknologi, dan isu etika digital. Kebaruan penelitian ini terletak pada integrasi kajian teologis dengan dinamika digital sehingga menghasilkan kerangka pelayanan yang lebih kreatif, relevan, dan transformatif
Pastoral Hibrida: Menggembalakan Jemaat secara Fisik dan Digital
Full text linkPenelitian ini mengkaji praktik pastoral hybrid yang menggabungkan pelayanan fisik dan digital dalam konteks pasca-pandemi, di mana kebutuhan keintiman rohani dalam ruang digital masih menjadi tantangan. Tujuannya adalah untuk menjelaskan bagaimana pendeta menghadirkan keintiman rohani dalam pelayanan pastoral secara hybrid. Penelitian dilakukan melalui studi literatur sistematis, analisis konten, dan triangulasi sumber data yang kredibel dari literatur akademik dan laporan media. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa meskipun interaksi fisik terbatas, pelayanan digital membuka peluang pertumbuhan spiritual yang signifikan dan penguatan ikatan komunitas jemaat. Pendeta dapat keterampilan komunikasi digital yang efektif untuk mengembangkan keintiman rohani, serta menciptakan komunitas inklusif yang mengintegrasikan aspek teologis dan teknologi. Kesimpulannya, pelayanan pastoral hybrid harus mengadaptasi dinamika digital tanpa mengorbankan esensi keintiman dan dukungan spiritual. Implikasi penelitian ini mendorong pemimpin gereja untuk memanfaatkan teknologi sebagai sarana memperkuat pengalaman rohani jemaat di era modern, sekaligus memberikan rekomendasi bagi pengembangan program pastoral yang relevan dengan kebutuhan abad ke-21
The Role of Fieldwork Practice in Developing Professional Competence of Christian Religious Education Students
Full text linkThis study examines how fieldwork practice improves the professional competence of Christian Religious Education students. It evaluates the program to inform us of its next semester\u27s development. Using a qualitative descriptive method, the study collected data through interviews with 11 mentor teachers and 52 randomly selected students of fieldwork practice. The data was analyzed using Atlas.ti, following the steps outlined by Miles and Huberman. The findings reveal that the students demonstrate teaching planning, implementation, and evaluation skills. They are also proficient in integrating technology and instructional media. Overall, the students effectively fulfilled their responsibilities and performed their roles and functions in the learning process well. They demonstrated satisfactory professional competence, including understanding and explaining course materials, classroom management, communication, feedback reception, ethics, and integrity. With some of the challenges of fieldwork practice, the faculty must improve the program preparations and implementation quality
Sentralitas Pengajaran Teologi dalam Membentuk Konsep Diri Pemuda menghadapi Kemajuan Teknologi
Full text linkPenelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis peran sentral pengajaran teologi dalam membentuk konsep diri pemuda Kristen di tengah kemajuan teknologi digital, dengan studi kasus pada komunitas pemuda GKII Alfa Omega Salatiga. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dan metode studi kasus, data dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner terbuka dan wawancara terhadap sepuluh responden aktif berusia 15-23 tahun. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa bentuk pengajaran teologi yang interaktif, seperti diskusi kelompok dan studi kasus kehidupan nyata, sangat efektif dalam memperkuat pemahaman iman dan relevan dengan tantangan digital yang dihadapi pemuda. Tantangan utama yang diidentifikasi adalah tekanan media sosial, kecenderungan perbandingan diri, kehilangan fokus, dan kesulitan menjaga keaslian identitas di tengah ekspektasi digital. Pengajaran teologi terbukti memperkuat konsep diri pemuda dengan memberikan landasan nilai iman yang kokoh, membantu mereka memilah pengaruh teknologi, serta membangun identitas yang otentik dan tidak mudah goyah oleh tekanan eksternal. Penelitian ini merekomendasikan model pengajaran teologi yang kontekstual, reflektif, dan aplikatif untuk memperkuat konsep diri pemuda Kristen di era digital.
 
Mission-Church Type for College Students: A Qualitative Research on Contextual Ministry in Urban Setting
Full text linkYogyakarta, the designated research locus, is recognized as a leading student city, with a substantial academic community consisting of hundreds of universities and hundreds of thousands of students from various geographical locations throughout Indonesia. This condition gives rise to various social dynamics that must be addressed in relation to urgent spiritual issues. The students, who are new adults (18-25 years old) and the subjects of this study, often face a variety of social, emotional, and spiritual challenges associated with this age group\u27s high rate of release in activities and communities of faith. As a result, there is an emerging need to provide related services that prioritize outreach to students, especially in the context of urban settings. This study uses a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach to examine the phenomenon of religious practice in a local church in Yogyakarta that has shown the capacity to develop socialization services for young people. The findings of this study show the importance of understanding the cognitive, social, and emotional development aspects of students as young adults. The personal perceptions and experiences of the study respondents highlighted the needs addressed during their involvement in the faith communities studied. These findings were then formulated into a mission-church-type model for reaching students in urban contexts. The model is based on the following: the adoption of an inclusive community model, the provision of dynamic discipleship, the delivery of relevant teaching, and the implementation of empowerment services