Kajian Biblika Kebebasan Finansial Alkitabiah

Finance is an important aspect of human life, so having financial freedom is the hope of many people. But poor financial management often makes a person depressed and frustrated. For Christians, the topic of discussion about money and its management is also often considered taboo and has worldly connotations. But in fact, the Bible has a lot to say about money and the principles of its management. The purpose of this study is to build a biblical study of financial freedom by explaining biblical principles on financial management to gain financial freedom. This research is presented in a qualitative-descriptive form through a topical presentation on finance to conduct a study and theological construction of Biblical financial freedom. The data collection and analysis model used is a literature study. Biblical financial freedom is a construction of financial management based on biblical principles. The results of this study a person can have the right heart and morals in managing finances wisely and well, refrain from falling into debt and credit bonds, use the money to help others in need, dedicate all money and wealth to the glory of God with good management. , true, obedient, and faithful to tithe.

Sitting in the Pews: Theological Beliefs and Racial/Ethnic Identity Among African American Adolescents

Church attendance, prayer, and faith practices play a significant role in the life experiences among African Americans, especially youth. Few studies on religious behaviors among African American youth investigate the relationship between theological orientations and racial identity. These orientations include biblical principles, other-worldliness, and social legacy. A total of 187 African American adolescents ( Mage = 15) attending 18 predominantly Black churches in two Midwestern cities participated in the study. Results provided support for two theological orientations that were associated with racial/ethnic identity in distinct ways. More specifically, other-worldliness was linked to more negative feelings about the appearance of African American adolescents and being more likely to endorse negative stereotypes about African Americans. Adolescents who perceived their church as communicating a theology based upon biblical principles reported rejecting negative stereotypes about African Americans. Study findings suggest theological orientations may be associated with shaping racial/ethnic identity attitudes among African American adolescents.

An analysis of spousal competence and non-compellability in terms of section 198 of the Criminal Procedure Act

Marital privilege is founded on the biblical principles of the union between man and wife. Thus wives were not competent or compellable witnesses against their husbands. Over the years the privilege developed in English common law. South Africa codified the privilege through Section 198 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 which states that spouses cannot be compelled to testify against each other unless the crime for which the accused spouse is charged appears in the categories listed in Section 195 of the Act. There are many criticisms against affording a privilege to a particular class of persons - notably that the non-compellability exception given to spouses is unconstitutional as it violates the right to equality in terms of section 9 of the Constitution. Recent media coverage at the Zondo Commission highlighted this conundrum when the ex-minister's spouse was asked to testify. This article examines the merits of the unconstitutionality argument and concludes that spousal non-compellability fails to withstand the test against unfair discrimination on the basis of marital privilege. Finally, recommendations are proposed in this regard which examine the nature and evolution of spousal competence and non-compellability in South African law.

The (mis)interpretation of the Bible in South Africa: Towards a better hermeneutic

The Bible continues to have a prominent place in the South African discourse. Unfortunately, however, it is often poorly interpreted. The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of the misinterpretation of the Bible. We aimed to uncover the specific interpretive methods responsible for this misinterpretation, considered generally in the South African milieu. Specifically, we discussed the role of biblical fundamentalism. Essentially fundamentalism fails to account for the reader’s place in the process of biblical interpretation and so operates under the guise of false objectivity. We then discussed three examples of this phenomenon: the way in which Scripture has been interpreted by the African Christian Democratic Party, Peter Hammond’s view in his Biblical principles for Africa, and the scriptural interpretation of Deuteronomy by Dutch Reformed theologians in the 1930s–1960s. This essay demonstrated that the primary problem with the fundamentalistic method is its failure to account for the reader’s role in the interpretive process. Fundamentalism presents itself in several ways as ‘biblical’ without recognising the problems inherent in such a formulation, especially in the assumption of objectivity. This result illustrated the necessity for a more reader-centred approach to Scripture that takes note of prior ideological commitments. As a result, it is imperative that we embrace a hermeneutic that is firstly ‘critical’, that means willing to interrogate ideological pre-commitments. Secondly, we proposed that the hermeneutic focus on ‘eschatology’, whereby Scripture is considered primarily based on its redemptive trajectory. The emphasis is then placed on the Christ event, especially the resurrection as the culmination of the story. Biblical ethics are then grounded in an understanding of the people of God as the eschatological community. This approach is also termed ‘redemptive-historical’. As one example of such an approach, we discussed N.T. Wright’s Five-act model. In this view, biblical ethics are grounded upon knowing where we find ourselves in the overall drama and what is appropriate within each act. God’s people are to imagine themselves as players in a later stage of the same grand drama of Scripture. This hermeneutic provides, so we argued, a better approach to applying Scripture in the modern context. If we wish to reduce the misinterpretation of Scripture in the South African milieu, we need to identify fundamentalist hermeneutics and continually strive towards a more reader-centred and eschatological approach to its interpretation.Contribution: This article attempted to contribute towards our understanding of the way Scripture is used in public discourse, and it also suggested a way forward to a better interpretation.

Hubungan Kualitas Kerohanian, Struktur Pelayanan dan Ibadah yang Membangkitkan Inspirasi Terhadap Pertumbuhan Gereja di GBI House of Glory Batam

The journey of the GBI House of Glory Batam Church has entered its 17th year. Over time the number of congregations continues to grow. This paper is an analysis of church growth based on the principles of natural church growth. The church is both an organism and an organism. therefore it is something scientific and natural for the church to experience maximum healthy growth. The direction of the growth of the Church includes both quality and quality. Researchers used three of the eight characteristics of a healthy church quality as described by Christian A. Schwarz. Some of these characteristics include (1) Spiritual Thirst and Enthusiasm, (2) Appropriate Structure, (3) Worship That Generates Inspiration. The purpose of this research is to analyze the Church services at GBI House of Glory Batam in relation to the application of Biblical principles in order to produce a growing Church.

Tinjauan Buku: Allah Mengizinkan Manusia Mengalami Diri-Nya, Pengalaman dengan Allah dalam Konteks yang Berpancasila

This book is a compilation of writings from Andreas A. Yewangoe, especially in 2017 which was delivered by Yewangoe on various occasions. Yewangoe covers these themes under a big umbrella: “God Permits Humans to Experience Himself. In the first part Yewangoe discusses about dogmatics. Meanwhile, in the second part, Yewangoe discusses religion and society. For readers, this book is an important book to read for both theology students and church members. Yewangoe in this book wants to invite every reader to understand the biblical principles regarding the role of church members in the political arena, the importance of peace efforts among religious adherents in Indonesia, the importance of literacy education in order to raise awareness to be wiser and more responsible in using social media so as to avoid influence. ideologies that are opposite to Pancasila, calls for anarchist demonstrations, or access to information that will arouse terrorist cells in Indonesia, the importance of reading and reflecting on Indonesian history so that we appreciate the struggles of our predecessors even more. And finally, the importance of maintaining Pancasila as the basis of the state as a common home for a pluralistic Indonesia.

Role Model Kepemimpinan Transformasional Berdasarkan 2 Raja-raja 18:1-8 pada Borneo Evangelical Mission Sarawak

The leadership factor greatly determines the progress and success of an organization. During the same period as the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Synod, which has reached 93 years this year. It was time for BEM to evaluate existing leadership, both related to institutionalization, administrative systems and service programs. This research is a qualitative research with historical and phenomenological analysis, which uses observation, documentation, and interview techniques. The data analysis model used is descriptive analysis using the perspective of Christian leadership to find a suitable model for future BEM leaders. The purpose of this study was to determine the role model of transformational leadership based on biblical principles taken from 2 Kings 18: 1-8 to become a role model for the leadership of BEM Sarawak, especially in every level at the central and regional levels. Of course this research will also indirectly impress the leadership in the rankings of local churches and ministries that are available in BEM Sarawak. This study aims to find the principles of biblical leadership practice, and to provide answers to biblical principles for leaders and congregations to continue to play an active role in the ministry through the opportunities God has given them. Practically the results of this research can help the leaders of BEM Sarawak to lead the congregation to mobilize all congregations to become involved as channels of God's love to this world.Faktor kepemimpinan sangat menentukan kemajuan dan keberhasilan sebuah organisasi. Selama kurun waktu bersamaan dengan usia Sinode Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) yang sudah mencapai 93 tahun pada tahun ini. Tiba masanya untuk BEM melakukan evaluasi terhadap kepemimpinan yang ada, baik yang berkaitan dengan pelembagaan, sistem administrasi dan program pelayanan. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif dengan analisis historis dan fenomenologi, yang menggunakan teknik observasi, dokumentasi, dan wawancara. Model analisis data yang digunakan ialah analisis deskriptif dengan menggunakan perspektif kepemimpinan Kristen untuk menemukan model yang sesuai bagi pemimpin BEM akan datang. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui Role Model kepemimpinan transformasional berdasarkan prinsip Alkitab yang diambil dari 2 Raja-Raja 18:1-8 menjadi role model bagi kepemimpinan BEM Sarawak khususnya di setiap peringkat di pusat dan daerah. Sudah tentu penelitian ini juga secara tidak langsung akan memberi kesan kepada kepemimpinan di peringkat gereja-gereja lokal dan bidang-bidang pelayanan yang sedia ada di dalam BEM Sarawak. Penelitian ini bertujuan menemukan prinsip-prinsip pelaksanaan kepemimpinan yang Alkitabiah, dan memberi jawaban terhadap prinsip Alkitabiah kepada pemimpin dan jemaat agar tetap berperan aktif di dalam pelayanan melalui kesempatan yang Tuhan anugerahkan. Secara praktis hasil penelitian ini dapat membantu para pemimpin BEM Sarawak untuk memimpin jemaat untuk mengerakkan semua jemaat untuk terlibat menjadi saluran kasih Allah kepada dunia ini.

Tinjauan Etis-Teologis Terhadap Tradisi Belis Di Pulau Sumba Berdasarkan Konsep Mahar Dalam Alkitab

This paper is aimed to determine the appropriate Christian attitude towards the practice of belis (dowry) in Sumba Island. The biblical, anthropological, and sociological concepts of dowry are the conceptual framework for understanding and analyzing the concept of belis. Based on systematic reviews and asymmetric comparisons of the Sumbanese belis concepts and biblical concept of dowry, it is found that rejection of the practice of belis is unnecessary. Belis can be practiced by Sumbanese Christians with a critical attitude. The goal is the transformation of the belis culture. Transformation is achieved through several actions: doing belis principles that do not conflict with biblical principles; rejecting the principles that conflict with biblical principles; and avoiding the practices of belis which have been distorted by deviating motivations either from the biblical or the rights belis principles. Keywords: Belis; Dowry; Marapu; Sumba; Cultural Transformation.

The Prosperity Ethic

A new prosperity gospel is emerging in the Philippines. We call it the prosperity ethic. Its dimensions set it apart from the previous incarnation of the prosperity gospel, which emphasized tithing and confessing. Specifically, the prosperity ethic values upward mobility and uses biblical principles for the acquisition of practical skills to become rich. We make our case by drawing on the writings of Bo Sanchez and Chinkee Tan, two of the most influential prosperity-oriented preachers in the country. The prosperity ethic has three dimensions: the morality of wealth (believing right), the prescribed mindset (thinking right), and the practical skills to accumulate wealth (doing it right). In the latter part we explain the rise of the prosperity ethic by relating it to major shifts in the economy since the 1990s. For sanctifying individual hard work and desire, the new prosperity gospel is emblematic of neoliberal Christianity in the Philippines today.