Predica Verbum: Jurnal Teologi dan Misi

God's Love Language is Obedience: Structure and Substance of 1 John 5:1-5

Paulus Dimas Prabowo, Sanghee Kim, John Marlin — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to present the structure and substance of 1 John 5:1-5, in light of various interpretations and even disagreements over whether 1 John 5:1-5 constitutes a single structural unit. The main issue discussed in this study is: what is the structure and what is the substance of 1 John 5:1-5? Within the post-positivist paradigm and the evangelical theological perspective, the author will employ a stylistic analysis to examine chiasmus and repetition in 1 John 5:1-5. The study's results affirm strong evidence that 1 John 5:1-5 forms a single structural unit, and its substance is 'obedience as the language of love toward God.' Although borrowing the language popularized by Gary Chapman regarding the language of love, this study does not employ his theory. Future research could delve into systematic theological aspects such as the concept of being born again, or integrate it with social factors in terms ofrelated to love for others.

Rekonstruksi Integritas Panggilan Pelayanan Melalui Kajian Hermeneutik Injil Lukas 23:50-56a

Annatasya Tanti Meilynda Worang, Peggy Sandra Tewu — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The church is called to serve with integrity, but is often faced with ethical and moral challenges that threaten the credibility of its ministry. Often the church is used as a means of power, with church leaders preferring to compromise with corrupt systems for the sake of position and a comfortable life rather than upholding faith and truth. This points to a deep crisis of integrity in ministry. This study aims to reconstruct the understanding of integrity in ministry through a hermeneutical analysis of the narrative in Luke 23:50-56a, which focuses on the figure of Joseph of Arimathea. As a member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph was faced with a difficult choice: to prioritize his position or to act out of compassion for Jesus. He chose to take down and bury Jesus' body, an act that went against the Sanhedrin's consensus and could potentially endanger himself. This study uses a qualitative approach, with narrative hermeneutics based on E. G. Singgih's method, which includes: structure, plot, characters, conflict, setting, time, style, and narrator. The results of the study show that integrity in service lies not only in institutional obedience, but in the willingness to transcend institutional and social barriers. Joseph's actions show that true service is rooted in moral courage and compassion, which are capable of setting aside personal, political, and comfort interests. Contemporary churches must reconstruct their understanding of ministry to emphasize courage, ethics, and commitment, even when facing personal risk. In this way, the ministry of the Church can once again become an authentic and transformative witness.

Transformasi Iman dari Personal ke Komunal dalam Kitab Ratapan: Studi Hermeneutik terhadap Ratapan 3 dan 5

Joel Amadeus Brilian — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to identify and analyze the process of faith transformation from the personal to the communal realm in the Book of Lamentations, particularly chapters 3 and 5. Using interpretive qualitative methods and a structural-literary hermeneutical approach, this study examines poetic patterns, rhetorical dynamics, and key verses that mark changes in expressions of faith. The results of the study show that Lamentations 3 displays a deep reflection of personal faith and becomes a turning point for the spiritual transformation of the people. Key verses such as Lamentations 3:21-22 and 3:40 show a shift from lamentation to a collective call for self-correction and hope in God. This process reaches its peak in Lamentations 5, which is a response and expression of faith and a collective plea for God's sovereignty amid destruction. The main conclusion of this study is that personal faith filled with reflective space can be a source of restoration and strength for the community as a whole. Of course, this study makes an important contribution in seeing suffering not as an ending but as a transformative space for the growth of faith, both personally and communally.

Studi Komparatif Teologi Cyrill Tentang Kebangkitan Kristus dan Budaya Slametan Suku Jawa: Sebagai Jembatan Misi

Eka Kurniawan Zebua — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to explore the encounter between Cyrill's theology and the Slametan culture of the Javanese tribe. Cyril is one of the important figures in the history of the Church who has made a significant contribution to understanding the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Cyrill, the resurrection is not merely a historical event, but has profound theological implications for the lives of believers. The resurrection of Christ is an absolute gift of victory for human life over sin and death, so that through His resurrection, it becomes clear evidence that true salvation comes only from Him who is full of power. This study provides a new contribution to understanding the dynamics between the Christian faith and local culture by focusing on the concept of Christ's resurrection and the practice of selametan. This study uses a literature review and qualitative analysis approach to compare the concept of Christ's resurrection and the practice of selamatan. By examining various sources, including sacred texts, theological literature, and ethnography, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between faith and culture. This study contributes a methodology that can be applied in similar studies on religion and culture. It highlights the importance of dialogue between theology and cultural anthropology in the context of religious pluralism in Indonesia and is a first step toward carrying out a mission for the Javanese people.

What It Takes to Make Buddies: Exposition of 1 John 1:5-8

Amelia Agustina — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:24:25 +0700

By using a spiral writing style, the Jewish author of the letter sought to give the reader a deep understanding of the main idea of the letter and its application in daily life, which is about the light and love that Jesus taught and practiced. This research prioritizes a literary approach in terms of hermeneutics. This is what distinguishes the research from previous studies. The researcher implemented two methods. First, the interpretation of the epistles, particularly the text of 1 John 1:5-8. Second, literature study in preparing the article. including intensive textual investigation. Although the text is the introduction to describe God's identity as light, it also mentions that love is an attribute of God's identity that believers slowly but surely come to possess and be able to demonstrate through their social relationship. Like the cross of Christ, which has one upright side and one straight side. By highlighting the use of a spiral writing style in the passage, the narrative style of the writer of 1 John is different from the Hellenistic cultural style of making his point in order the original audiences gain the depth of meaning.