Abstract:This study originates from the increasing prevalence of subclinical narcissistic traits among church congregants, manifested in religious practices that appear devout yet are latently oriented toward external validation…
rather than an intimate relationship with God. This phenomenon generates a distortion of spirituality, as religious identity is constructed upon social recognition, thereby hindering spiritual-psychological well-being and displacing the longing for divine love. The research problem focuses on how subclinical narcissism operates as a psycho-spiritual disorder within the context of worship and how faith community engagement moderates this dynamic. Employing an integrative conceptual analysis and critical engagement with the psychology of religion literature, including the typology of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, this study finds that performance-based community cultures intensify narcissistic tendencies through symbolic competition and religious self-imaging, whereas inclusive and transformational communities function as corrective spaces that reorient the existential framework of congregants. The study concludes that restoration cannot be achieved merely through behavioral modification or the intensification of religious activities, but through a reorientation of worship that restores the True Self in relationship with Christ as the authentic source of self-worth. The novelty of this research lies in its conceptualization of subclinical narcissism as a form of worship disorder and in its emphasis on the role of faith community as a moderating variable within holistic spiritual therapy, thereby offering both theoretical and pastoral contributions to contemporary churches facing the challenges of performative spirituality.
Abstract:The crisis of integrity, ethical disorientation, and the declining quality of strategic decision-making in contemporary leadership demand a robust and transhistorical normative foundation. The figure of King Solomon in ancient…
ncient Israelite tradition represents a prototype of leadership legitimized by divine wisdom, making it critically relevant for scholarly examination. This study addresses the problem of how the construction of Solomon’s character and the praxis of his wisdom in Old Testament texts can be transformed into a conceptual paradigm for modern leadership without falling into historical romanticism. The objective of this research is to formulate a theoretical leadership model grounded in biblical wisdom through an analysis of Solomon’s character, theological orientation, and decision-making patterns. The method employed is a theological hermeneutical approach integrated with interdisciplinary literature studies, including leadership theory, public ethics, and Old Testament theology. The analysis focuses on key narratives that portray the judicial, administrative, and spiritual dimensions of Solomon’s leadership. The findings indicate that Solomon’s wisdom is theocentric, deliberative, and oriented toward distributive justice, thereby shaping an integrative and visionary model of leadership. The relevance of these findings lies in their capacity to offer a normative framework for leadership formation rooted in transcendent morality while remaining adaptive to modern social complexity. The novelty of this study resides in the formulation of a hermeneutical reconstruction model of Solomonic wisdom as a normative-strategic paradigm for the development of contemporary leadership theory based on sacred texts.
Abstract:This study explores the concept of covenant in the Pentateuch through a qualitative-descriptive approach that integrates historical and theological analysis of God’s covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Israel at Sinai. Historical…
istorical findings indicate that the covenantal structures in the Pentateuch correspond to treaty forms common in the Ancient Near East, particularly suzerainty treaties, yet the biblical covenants reveal a fundamental distinction by emphasizing God’s gracious initiative independent of political negotiations or human strategic interests. The theological examination affirms that the covenant is not merely a legalistic contract but a manifestation of God’s relational commitment that shapes the identity of His people as a covenant community grounded in divine faithfulness and promise. The Torah is understood as an expression of faith response arising from this covenantal relationship, rather than a prerequisite for salvation, thereby retaining its significance for the contemporary church as an ethical and spiritual framework guiding Christian praxis, character formation, and communal responsibility amid rapidly evolving social contexts. The integration of historical and theological perspectives demonstrates that the Pentateuchal covenant encompasses intertwined dynamics of grace, obligation, and identity formation, contributing theoretically to Old Testament studies, particularly covenant theology, while offering practical implications for ecclesial faith formation, the strengthening of communal spirituality, and ministry orientation rooted in a holistic understanding of the divine–human relationship. This research underscores the urgency of interpreting the Pentateuchal covenant through an interdisciplinary lens to meet the theological, ethical, and pastoral challenges faced by the church in the contemporary era.
Abstract:The cultural transformation resulting from secularization, digitalization, and a crisis of values in the modern era has posed serious challenges to the resilience of Christian marriages. The relationship between husband…
and wife is threatened not only by external issues but also by a lack of deep understanding of marital spirituality in the light of Christian faith. This study aims to examine marital counseling from pastoral and biblical perspectives as a theologically integrative approach to Christian family formation. The focus of the study is directed toward identifying the absence of a counseling model grounded in contextual theology and rooted in biblical foundations. The methodology employed is a literature review with a critical analysis of pastoral theology sources, biblical studies, and contemporary counseling practices published between 2015 and 2025. The findings reveal that marital counseling, when grounded in pastoral and biblical frameworks, serves not only as a means of conflict resolution but also as a channel for reconciliation, faith development, and relational restoration based on God's grace. The novelty of this study lies in its formulation of a marital counseling approach that contextually integrates transformative pastoral principles and biblical theological narratives. Theoretically, this research expands the horizon of pastoral family theology in the digital-modern context, while practically, it provides a pastoral framework for churches to facilitate the restoration and formation of Christian households. Thus, pastoral-biblical-based marital counseling can play a strategic role in building a resilient and theocentric marital spirituality.
Abstract:This study examines the effectiveness of the Presbyterian-Synodal system of church governance in shaping an inclusive, participatory, and contextual ministry within the Indonesian Protestant Church in Papua (GPI Papua).…
Employing a qualitative approach and contextual case study, the research focuses on the relationship between church governance structures and Papuan communal culture, which emphasizes deliberation, egalitarianism, and communal living. The findings indicate that, in principle, the Presbyterian-Synodal system possesses the potential to accommodate the collective character of Papuan society and to support congregational participation in ecclesiastical decision-making processes. However, implementation at the local level faces several challenges, including inconsistent understanding of ecclesiastical roles and responsibilities, limited human resource capacity, and misalignment between synodal policies and the contextual needs of congregations. These issues reveal a gap between the theological-structural design of the system and the pastoral realities on the ground. Therefore, this study recommends institutional renewal based on local contexts, the development of transformative church leadership models, and the strengthening of ecclesiological education rooted in Papuan cultural and social dynamics. Theoretically and practically, this research contributes to the development of contextual ecclesiology and church management in multicultural settings, emphasizing the importance of synthesizing Reformed theology with local values. As such, this study not only offers a constructive critique of current church governance practices but also opens space for reflection and innovation, enabling the church to become more relevant, just, and empowering in addressing contemporary challenges and contextual realities.
Abstract:This research investigates the challenge posed by the perceived lack of assertiveness among pastors in disciplining members of the congregation amidst the proliferation of fake news or hoaxes. It delves into the multifaceted…
eted roles of pastors within the church context, the nuanced concept of discipline as it pertains to congregational dynamics, and the pervasive phenomenon of hoaxes in contemporary society. Emphasizing the critical importance of pastors taking proactive measures to address and counteract the dissemination of hoaxes to safeguard the integrity and unity of the church community, this paper employs a comprehensive descriptive research methodology. Through an in-depth exploration of the characteristics and implications of hoaxes, the functions and responsibilities of pastors, and the significance of discipline within the ecclesiastical setting, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the complexities of managing misinformation within religious communities. By synthesizing theoretical frameworks and empirical observations, the paper offers actionable recommendations for pastors to effectively combat hoaxes while fostering an environment of truth, trust, and integrity within the church.
Abstract:The development of digital technology over the past two decades has revolutionized human communication, social interaction, and the formation of both individual and collective identities in a global context. Digital media…
a no longer merely function as communication tools but have become socio-cultural spaces that actively shape values, norms, symbols, and everyday practices. This phenomenon raises research questions regarding how cultural transformation and identity construction are influenced by the dominance of digital technology, as well as how social media and platform algorithms shape cultural visibility and digital identities. This study employs a qualitative approach through a critical narrative literature review, synthesizing theories of network society, mediatization, cultural globalization, digital capitalism, and digital identity. The analysis focuses on four key issues: cultural digitalization, the role of social media in identity formation, the emergence of hybrid identities, and platform power in determining cultural representation. Findings indicate that digital technology has ambivalent effects: it expands spaces for cultural expression, enhances public participation, and provides opportunities for marginalized groups to represent their identities; however, global platform dominance drives cultural homogenization, identity commodification, and inequitable symbolic representation. The novelty of this study lies in integrating a critical perspective on the influence of algorithms and digital capitalism in identity formation, which has rarely been addressed comprehensively in digital cultural studies. These findings offer theoretical contributions to media and cultural research as well as practical implications for understanding identity representation in the global digital era.
Abstract:Islamic Religious Education in higher education frequently experiences a reduction of meaning due to the separation between the mastery of empirical sciences and the cultivation of spirituality, resulting in its position…
being perceived as a complementary course with limited integration into other academic disciplines. This condition raises both conceptual and practical issues regarding how to design a model of Islamic Religious Education that systematically, applicatively, and contextually integrates scientific knowledge and spirituality within contemporary higher education. This study aims to formulate such an integrative framework through a qualitative approach based on an in-depth literature review of books, journal articles, and research findings, which are analyzed thematically and conceptually. The results identify three main strategies: the development of an interdisciplinary curriculum that internalizes ethical–tawhidic values within professional sciences, the implementation of value-based pedagogy that connects spiritual concepts such as as-sidq and al-amanah with real-life case studies, and the strengthening of campus culture that supports value internalization through co-curricular activities and community service. The synthesis of findings indicates that this integrative model has the potential to enhance students’ moral awareness, spiritual resilience, and ethical decision-making capacity in responding to the dynamics and complexities of modern life. The conclusion emphasizes that the integration of scientific knowledge and spirituality in Islamic Religious Education is not merely a curricular supplement, but a strategic necessity in higher education. The novelty of this study lies in the formulation of a conceptual framework that positions spirituality as an overarching paradigm that provides meaning, direction, and ethical responsibility for the entire structure of knowledge, while offering an applicative model to overcome the dichotomy between secular science and religion in order to produce graduates with strong character, reflective capacity, and a commitment to social responsibility. The theoretical and practical implications of this model are expected to serve as a reference for academic policy development and innovation in Islamic Religious Education learning that is adaptive to global challenges and responsive to the needs of students across contemporary interdisciplinary fields in a sustainable, transformative, and contextually Islamic humanistic value-based manner.
Abstract:This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of the electrical installation at Budi Bakti School Building in Samarinda by emphasizing aspects of reliability, safety, energy efficiency, and compliance with applicable…
electrical installation standards. The research approach involved field surveys to obtain empirical data, measurements of lighting intensity, calculations of the required number of lighting points according to the function and characteristics of each room, as well as technical analysis of installation components, including conductors and protection systems. All observed data were compared with theoretical calculations to identify the level of conformity as well as potential deviations that could cause problems. The findings indicate that although the electrical installation remains operational, there are significant discrepancies, particularly in the distribution of lighting intensity, the number of lighting points, and the selection and placement of protective components that do not fully meet the standards. These discrepancies affect the optimality of lighting, reduce user comfort, and present potential safety risks. Therefore, this study recommends adjustments to the installation design, prioritizing the optimization of the lighting system, the use of standard-compliant components, and the implementation of energy efficiency principles as part of a comprehensive improvement effort. The implications of these findings highlight that regular evaluations and updates of electrical installations in educational buildings are essential to create a safe, comfortable, and productive learning environment. Thus, the results of this research not only provide practical contributions for school management but also offer a scientific basis for developing technical standards of electrical installations that are more responsive to educational needs.
Abstract:Economic growth is a key indicator in assessing a country's ability to sustainably increase the output of goods and services. This study aims to analyze the effect of trade openness (TO) and the interaction between foreign…
gn direct investment (FDI) and political stability (PS) on economic growth in member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The study utilizes panel data from 30 OIC member countries over the period 2005–2023, sourced from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators (WDI). The analytical method employed is panel data regression using the Fixed Effect Model (FEM) to control for individual heterogeneity across countries, as well as Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) to test the moderating role of PS in the relationship between FDI and economic growth. The estimation results show that both TO and FDI have a positive and significant impact on economic growth. However, the interaction between FDI and PS exhibits a negative and significant effect, which contradicts conventional theoretical expectations that political stability should enhance the positive impact of FDI. These findings suggest that in several OIC countries, despite relatively low political stability, FDI continues to flow in response to economic opportunities, strategic interests, or domestic market appeal. In other words, political instability does not always serve as a major barrier to foreign investment, especially when the economic potential remains high. Moreover, FDI under such conditions may serve as an important instrument to strengthen international economic cooperation, expand production capacity, and drive long-term economic growth. These findings provide strategic implications for the formulation of investment and institutional stability policies in OIC countries.