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Abstract
This research is an attempt to investigate Amos Yong’s Approach to Intercultural Theology as a framework for bridging Pentecostalism with the Batu Simbuang ritual in the Toraja society. The background of this research is grounded in the perception that Pentecostalism is often seen as having conservative attitudes toward culture. The research found that the roots of Pentecostal doctrine are closely linked to culture. Furthermore, the research shows the presence of shared values between Pentecostalism and the Batu Simbuang ritual, which is a part of Toraja society’s life. The contribution of this research lies in its exploration of Amos Yong's Approach to Intercultural Theology as a framework for fostering connections between Pentecostalism and the Batu Simbuang ritual in Toraja society. By challenging the perception of Pentecostalism as culturally conservative, the research reveals the intricate connection between Pentecostal doctrine and culture.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Agutinus Agustinus, Hersen Geny Wulur, Hengki Wijaya
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References
Adams, R., & Robin, G. (2022). Menhirs of Tana Toraja (Indonesia): A preliminary ethnoarchaeological assessment. In L. Laporte, J.-M. Large, L. Nespoulous, C. Scarre, & T. Steimer-Herbet (Eds.), Megaliths of the world (pp. 307–321). Archaeopress Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.15135898.25
Agustinus, Rouw, R. F., Camerling, Y. F., & Wijaya, H. (2023). The Dipopantunu Bai Tradition in Tana Toraja and its relevance to Calvin’s teachings about atonement. Pharos Journal of Theology, 104(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.104.425
Anderson, A. (2011). Intercultural theology, Walter J. Hollenweger and African Pentecostalism. In M. J. Cartledge & D. Cheetham (Eds.), Intercultural theology: Approaches and themes (pp. 128–144). SCM Press.
Anderson, A. H. (2017). Contextualization in Pentecostalism: A multicultural perspective. International Bulletin of Mission Research, 41(1), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/2396939316674428
Budiman, M. (2013). Contemporary funeral rituals of Sa’dan Toraja: From Aluk Todolo to new Religions. Karolinum Press.
Carson, D. A., Woodbridge, J. D., & Henry, C. F. H. (Eds.). (1993). God and culture: Essays in honor of Carl F. H. Henry. Eerdmans Pub Co.
Chan, S. (2014). Grassroots Asian theology: Thinking the faith from the ground up. IVP Academic.
Clements, M. L., Lagomasino, A., & Bates, B. R. (2022). Ethnography. In E. Y. Ho, C. L. Bylund, & J. C. M. Van Weert (Eds.), The International encyclopedia of health communication (pp. 1–6). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119678816.iehc0787
Du Plessis, A. L. (2020). Making theology practical: The inclusion of experiencia fide in the contextualisation of practical theological training. In Die Skriflig / In Luce Verbi, 54(2). https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v54i2.2542
Kärkkäinen, V.-M. (2002). An introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, historical & global perspectives. IVP Academic.
Kärkkäinen, V.-M. (Ed.). (2010). Holy Spirit and salvation: The sources of Christian theology. Westminster John Knox Press.
Kärkkäinen, V.-M. (2014). Pentecostal mission and encounter with religions. In C. M. Robeck, Jr & A. Yong (Eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Pentecostalism (1st ed., pp. 294–312). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CCO9780511910111.020
Lande, A. (2023, October). To Parenge [Personal communication].
Lichterman, P. (2022). Ethnography and social movements. In D. Della Porta, B. Klandermans, D. McAdam, & D. A. Snow (Eds.), The Wiley-Blackwell encyclopedia of social and political movements (pp. 1–4). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470674871.wbespm083.pub2
Longman, C. (2002). Empowering and engendering ‘religion’. A critical perspective on ethnographic holism. Social Anthropology, 10(2), 239–247. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0964028202000150
Maćkowiak, A. M. (2024). Christian and indigenous: Multiple “religions” in contemporary Toraja funerals. Religions, 15(9), 1112. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091112
Mekala M, M. (2022). Ethnography of Kumari Muslims in anthropological perspective. International Research Journal of Tamil, 4(SPL 1), 142–146. https://doi.org/10.34256/irjt22s119
Moris, S., & Rahman, A. (2022). Siri’ To Mate: Tedong sebagai harga diri pada Rambu Solo’ di Toraja [Siri’ To Mate: Tedong as self-esteem at Rambu Solo’ in Toraja]. Jurnal Syntax Admiration, 3(1), 216–223. https://doi.org/10.46799/jsa.v3i1.368
Mosse, D., Baker, D., Carroll, M., Chase, L., Kloocke, R., Wickremasinghe, K., Cramer, B., Pratt-Boyden, K., & Wuerth, M. (2023). The contribution of anthropology to the study of Open Dialogue: Ethnographic research methods and opportunities. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1111588
Nabhan-Warren, K. (2011). Embodied research and writing: A case for phenomenologically oriented religious studies ethnographies. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 79(2), 378–407. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/lfq079
Oyetade, M. O. (2020). A study of speaking in tongues in Acts and 1 Corinthians and its use and abuse in some selected contemporary churches in Nigeria. STJ | Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 6(1), 477–498. https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2020.v6n1.a
Panggarra, R., & Sumule, L. (2019). Pengaruh pelayanan pemuda berbasis kontekstual terhadap pertumbuhan Gereja Kemah Injil Indonesia di Kota Samarinda [The influence of contextual-based youth ministry on the growth of Kemah Injil Indonesia Church in Samarinda City]. Jurnal Jaffray, 17(1), 91–106. https://doi.org/10.25278/jj71.v17i1.325
Parker, S. E. (2015). Led by the Spirit: Toward a practical theology of Pentecostal discernment and decision making (Expanded edition). CPT Press.
Pasaribu, G. R. H. (2025). Inkulturasi iman: Dinamika budaya dan teologi Pentakosta dalam konteks modern [Inculturation of faith: Cultural dynamics and Pentecostal theology in a modern context]. Jurnal Imparta, 3(2), 95–107. https://doi.org/10.61768/jr2bzg23
Pesut, B., & Reimer-Kirkham, S. (2010). Situated clinical encounters in the negotiation of religious and spiritual plurality: A critical ethnography. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(7), 815–825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.11.014
Pinnock, C. H. (2016). Church in the power of the Holy Spirit: The promise of Pentecostal Ecclesiology. In C. Green (Ed.), Pentecostal Ecclesiology (pp. 47–64). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004317475_004
Ramba, S. (2023, November). To Parenge [Personal communication].
Salubongga, R. (2022). Simbuang Batu: Suatu kajian teologi kontekstual terhadap makna Simbuang Batu dalam masyarakat Toraja [Simbuang Batu: A contextual theological study of the meaning of Simbuang Batu in Toraja society]. Sangulele: Jurnal Teologi Kontekstual, 1(1), 1–14. https://journals.ukitoraja.ac.id/index.php/sangulele/article/view/1479
Simanjuntak, E., Suryanto, S., & Hendriani, W. (2022). Using ethnography in psychological research: Challenges and opportunities. Buletin Psikologi, 30(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.22146/buletinpsikologi.56215
Simatupang, F. (2022). Identity, local wisdom, and moral formation. In A. M. Peñamora & B. K. Wong (Eds.), Asian Christian ethics: Evangelical perspectives (pp. 55–81). Langham Global Library.
Stephenson, C. A. (2020). Un-speaking in tongues: Glossolalia as ascetical prayer. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 13(1), 88–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1939790919893278
Tambunan, E., & Ruslim, S. K. (2021). Gerakan keberagamaan baru: Mitosis dan reflikasi Pantekosta Amerika ke Indonesia [A new religious movement: Mythosis and replication of American Pentecostalism to Indonesia]. Jurnal Ilmiah Religiosity Entity Humanity (JIREH), 3(2), 146–167. https://doi.org/10.37364/jireh.v3i2.67
Toansiba, I. P., Manurung, M., Simalango, Z. N., Nainggolan, G. A., & Nadeak, T. R. (2025). Peran pastoral dalam meningkatkan iman jemaat Gereja Pentakosta Indonesia Tarutung di tengah tantangan sosial [The pastoral role in increasing the faith of the congregation of the Indonesian Pentecostal Church Tarutung amid social challenges]. Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial Dan Humaniora, 4(1), 1646–1652. https://publisherqu.com/index.php/pediaqu/article/view/1768
Vondey, W. (2010). Pentecostal contributions to the nature and mission of the Church. In W. Vondey (Ed.), Pentecostalism and Christian unity: Ecumenical documents and critical assessments (pp. 426–430). Pickwick Publications.
Vondey, W. (2013). Pentecostalism: A guide for the perplexed. T&T Clark.
Vondey, W., & Mittelstadt, M. (Eds.). (2013). The theology of Amos Yong and the new face of Pentecostal scholarship: Passion for the spirit. Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004251762
Wahyuni. (2018). Agama dan pembentukan struktur sosial: Pertautan agama, budaya, dan tradisi sosial [Religion and the formation of social structure: The intersection of religion, culture and social traditions]. Kencana.
Westerlund, K. (2024). “Living theology” – everyday life, challenges and resources among international Pentecostals in Stockholm. PentecoStudies, 22(1), 67–87. https://doi.org/10.1558/pent.24282
Wiessner, P. (2022). Understanding cultural clusters: An ethnographic perspective. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 45, e180. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X21001515
Woo, K. J. (2017). Calvin studies in context. Church History and Religious Culture, 97(3–4), 334–345. https://doi.org/10.1163/18712428-09703004
Wrogemann, H. (2023). On the profile of intercultural theology: A discipline (still) in the making. International Bulletin of Mission Research, 47(4), 461–477. https://doi.org/10.1177/23969393231167777
Wrogemann, H., & Stahlhoefer, A. D. B. (2024). Teologia intercultural como teologia intermediária. Vox Scripturae - Revista Teológica Internacional, 27(3), 623–639. https://doi.org/10.25188/2447.7443.2019v27n3.83
Yohanes, H. (2024). Teologi misi Pentakosta di Era Postmodern, Era Disrupsi, dan Era Society 5.0 [Pentecostal mission theology in the Postmodern Era, the Era of Disruption, and the Era of Society 5.0]. Ritornera - Jurnal Teologi Pentakosta Indonesia, 4(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.54403/rjtpi.v4i1.82
Yong, A. (2005). The spirit poured out on all flesh: Pentecostalism and the possibility of global theology. Baker Academic.
Yong, A. (2008). Hospitality and the other: Pentecost, Christian practices, and the neighbor. Orbis Books.
Yong, A. (2017). Intercultural theology: A Pentecostal apologia. Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology, 1(1), 147–151. https://doi.org/10.1558/isit.32690
Yong, A. G. (2024). Collective despair and a time for emergence: Proposing A contemplacostal spirituality. Religions, 15(3), 349. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15030349
References
Adams, R., & Robin, G. (2022). Menhirs of Tana Toraja (Indonesia): A preliminary ethnoarchaeological assessment. In L. Laporte, J.-M. Large, L. Nespoulous, C. Scarre, & T. Steimer-Herbet (Eds.), Megaliths of the world (pp. 307–321). Archaeopress Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.15135898.25
Agustinus, Rouw, R. F., Camerling, Y. F., & Wijaya, H. (2023). The Dipopantunu Bai Tradition in Tana Toraja and its relevance to Calvin’s teachings about atonement. Pharos Journal of Theology, 104(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.104.425
Anderson, A. (2011). Intercultural theology, Walter J. Hollenweger and African Pentecostalism. In M. J. Cartledge & D. Cheetham (Eds.), Intercultural theology: Approaches and themes (pp. 128–144). SCM Press.
Anderson, A. H. (2017). Contextualization in Pentecostalism: A multicultural perspective. International Bulletin of Mission Research, 41(1), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/2396939316674428
Budiman, M. (2013). Contemporary funeral rituals of Sa’dan Toraja: From Aluk Todolo to new Religions. Karolinum Press.
Carson, D. A., Woodbridge, J. D., & Henry, C. F. H. (Eds.). (1993). God and culture: Essays in honor of Carl F. H. Henry. Eerdmans Pub Co.
Chan, S. (2014). Grassroots Asian theology: Thinking the faith from the ground up. IVP Academic.
Clements, M. L., Lagomasino, A., & Bates, B. R. (2022). Ethnography. In E. Y. Ho, C. L. Bylund, & J. C. M. Van Weert (Eds.), The International encyclopedia of health communication (pp. 1–6). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119678816.iehc0787
Du Plessis, A. L. (2020). Making theology practical: The inclusion of experiencia fide in the contextualisation of practical theological training. In Die Skriflig / In Luce Verbi, 54(2). https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v54i2.2542
Kärkkäinen, V.-M. (2002). An introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, historical & global perspectives. IVP Academic.
Kärkkäinen, V.-M. (Ed.). (2010). Holy Spirit and salvation: The sources of Christian theology. Westminster John Knox Press.
Kärkkäinen, V.-M. (2014). Pentecostal mission and encounter with religions. In C. M. Robeck, Jr & A. Yong (Eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Pentecostalism (1st ed., pp. 294–312). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CCO9780511910111.020
Lande, A. (2023, October). To Parenge [Personal communication].
Lichterman, P. (2022). Ethnography and social movements. In D. Della Porta, B. Klandermans, D. McAdam, & D. A. Snow (Eds.), The Wiley-Blackwell encyclopedia of social and political movements (pp. 1–4). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470674871.wbespm083.pub2
Longman, C. (2002). Empowering and engendering ‘religion’. A critical perspective on ethnographic holism. Social Anthropology, 10(2), 239–247. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0964028202000150
Maćkowiak, A. M. (2024). Christian and indigenous: Multiple “religions” in contemporary Toraja funerals. Religions, 15(9), 1112. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091112
Mekala M, M. (2022). Ethnography of Kumari Muslims in anthropological perspective. International Research Journal of Tamil, 4(SPL 1), 142–146. https://doi.org/10.34256/irjt22s119
Moris, S., & Rahman, A. (2022). Siri’ To Mate: Tedong sebagai harga diri pada Rambu Solo’ di Toraja [Siri’ To Mate: Tedong as self-esteem at Rambu Solo’ in Toraja]. Jurnal Syntax Admiration, 3(1), 216–223. https://doi.org/10.46799/jsa.v3i1.368
Mosse, D., Baker, D., Carroll, M., Chase, L., Kloocke, R., Wickremasinghe, K., Cramer, B., Pratt-Boyden, K., & Wuerth, M. (2023). The contribution of anthropology to the study of Open Dialogue: Ethnographic research methods and opportunities. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1111588
Nabhan-Warren, K. (2011). Embodied research and writing: A case for phenomenologically oriented religious studies ethnographies. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 79(2), 378–407. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/lfq079
Oyetade, M. O. (2020). A study of speaking in tongues in Acts and 1 Corinthians and its use and abuse in some selected contemporary churches in Nigeria. STJ | Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 6(1), 477–498. https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2020.v6n1.a
Panggarra, R., & Sumule, L. (2019). Pengaruh pelayanan pemuda berbasis kontekstual terhadap pertumbuhan Gereja Kemah Injil Indonesia di Kota Samarinda [The influence of contextual-based youth ministry on the growth of Kemah Injil Indonesia Church in Samarinda City]. Jurnal Jaffray, 17(1), 91–106. https://doi.org/10.25278/jj71.v17i1.325
Parker, S. E. (2015). Led by the Spirit: Toward a practical theology of Pentecostal discernment and decision making (Expanded edition). CPT Press.
Pasaribu, G. R. H. (2025). Inkulturasi iman: Dinamika budaya dan teologi Pentakosta dalam konteks modern [Inculturation of faith: Cultural dynamics and Pentecostal theology in a modern context]. Jurnal Imparta, 3(2), 95–107. https://doi.org/10.61768/jr2bzg23
Pesut, B., & Reimer-Kirkham, S. (2010). Situated clinical encounters in the negotiation of religious and spiritual plurality: A critical ethnography. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(7), 815–825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.11.014
Pinnock, C. H. (2016). Church in the power of the Holy Spirit: The promise of Pentecostal Ecclesiology. In C. Green (Ed.), Pentecostal Ecclesiology (pp. 47–64). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004317475_004
Ramba, S. (2023, November). To Parenge [Personal communication].
Salubongga, R. (2022). Simbuang Batu: Suatu kajian teologi kontekstual terhadap makna Simbuang Batu dalam masyarakat Toraja [Simbuang Batu: A contextual theological study of the meaning of Simbuang Batu in Toraja society]. Sangulele: Jurnal Teologi Kontekstual, 1(1), 1–14. https://journals.ukitoraja.ac.id/index.php/sangulele/article/view/1479
Simanjuntak, E., Suryanto, S., & Hendriani, W. (2022). Using ethnography in psychological research: Challenges and opportunities. Buletin Psikologi, 30(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.22146/buletinpsikologi.56215
Simatupang, F. (2022). Identity, local wisdom, and moral formation. In A. M. Peñamora & B. K. Wong (Eds.), Asian Christian ethics: Evangelical perspectives (pp. 55–81). Langham Global Library.
Stephenson, C. A. (2020). Un-speaking in tongues: Glossolalia as ascetical prayer. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 13(1), 88–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1939790919893278
Tambunan, E., & Ruslim, S. K. (2021). Gerakan keberagamaan baru: Mitosis dan reflikasi Pantekosta Amerika ke Indonesia [A new religious movement: Mythosis and replication of American Pentecostalism to Indonesia]. Jurnal Ilmiah Religiosity Entity Humanity (JIREH), 3(2), 146–167. https://doi.org/10.37364/jireh.v3i2.67
Toansiba, I. P., Manurung, M., Simalango, Z. N., Nainggolan, G. A., & Nadeak, T. R. (2025). Peran pastoral dalam meningkatkan iman jemaat Gereja Pentakosta Indonesia Tarutung di tengah tantangan sosial [The pastoral role in increasing the faith of the congregation of the Indonesian Pentecostal Church Tarutung amid social challenges]. Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial Dan Humaniora, 4(1), 1646–1652. https://publisherqu.com/index.php/pediaqu/article/view/1768
Vondey, W. (2010). Pentecostal contributions to the nature and mission of the Church. In W. Vondey (Ed.), Pentecostalism and Christian unity: Ecumenical documents and critical assessments (pp. 426–430). Pickwick Publications.
Vondey, W. (2013). Pentecostalism: A guide for the perplexed. T&T Clark.
Vondey, W., & Mittelstadt, M. (Eds.). (2013). The theology of Amos Yong and the new face of Pentecostal scholarship: Passion for the spirit. Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004251762
Wahyuni. (2018). Agama dan pembentukan struktur sosial: Pertautan agama, budaya, dan tradisi sosial [Religion and the formation of social structure: The intersection of religion, culture and social traditions]. Kencana.
Westerlund, K. (2024). “Living theology” – everyday life, challenges and resources among international Pentecostals in Stockholm. PentecoStudies, 22(1), 67–87. https://doi.org/10.1558/pent.24282
Wiessner, P. (2022). Understanding cultural clusters: An ethnographic perspective. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 45, e180. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X21001515
Woo, K. J. (2017). Calvin studies in context. Church History and Religious Culture, 97(3–4), 334–345. https://doi.org/10.1163/18712428-09703004
Wrogemann, H. (2023). On the profile of intercultural theology: A discipline (still) in the making. International Bulletin of Mission Research, 47(4), 461–477. https://doi.org/10.1177/23969393231167777
Wrogemann, H., & Stahlhoefer, A. D. B. (2024). Teologia intercultural como teologia intermediária. Vox Scripturae - Revista Teológica Internacional, 27(3), 623–639. https://doi.org/10.25188/2447.7443.2019v27n3.83
Yohanes, H. (2024). Teologi misi Pentakosta di Era Postmodern, Era Disrupsi, dan Era Society 5.0 [Pentecostal mission theology in the Postmodern Era, the Era of Disruption, and the Era of Society 5.0]. Ritornera - Jurnal Teologi Pentakosta Indonesia, 4(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.54403/rjtpi.v4i1.82
Yong, A. (2005). The spirit poured out on all flesh: Pentecostalism and the possibility of global theology. Baker Academic.
Yong, A. (2008). Hospitality and the other: Pentecost, Christian practices, and the neighbor. Orbis Books.
Yong, A. (2017). Intercultural theology: A Pentecostal apologia. Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology, 1(1), 147–151. https://doi.org/10.1558/isit.32690
Yong, A. G. (2024). Collective despair and a time for emergence: Proposing A contemplacostal spirituality. Religions, 15(3), 349. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15030349