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Published by Universitas Katolik Parahyangan
ISSN : 27226336     EISSN : 27233855     DOI : Prefix 10.26593
Core Subject : Religion, Humanities,
Religion Humanities
FOCUS or FOCUS: Theological Studies is an open-access journal covering multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and trans-disciplinary studies of religion in the field of theology. Theology is a field of study that examines logically the doctrines of faith in religions that are connected to the context of the problems of contemporary society in this world. This theological study, first, is transformative theology which is empirical scientific reflection. Second, it is contemporary theology that has an actual and solution role in contemporary social reality. Therefore, the focus and scope of publication of FOCUS are based on rigorous research, accountable methodologies, and new findings based on good scientific ethical standards in the disciplines of the study of religions in the field of theology.
Arjuna Subject : Seni dan Humaniora - Studi Agama
Articles 76 Documents
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Reflexive Fieldwork Practices in a Sacred Context: Researching the Baduy Religious Landscape Kusmayani, Anisa Eka Putri; Elfrida, Tuti
FOCUS Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025): Focus
Publisher : Parahyangan Catholic University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.26593/focus.v6i1.9307

Abstract

The growing academic interest in Indigenous communities has led to a surge of studies on the Baduy people in Indonesia. However, many of these studies have been criticized for relying on Western paradigms that misalign with the Baduy’s cosmological, ethical, and relational worldview. This research aims to critically re-examine fieldwork practices in the sacred Baduy context by adopting a decolonial and relational approach that foregrounds methodological sensitivity and epistemic justice. Employing an autoethnographic method, the author reflects on personal experiences conducting collaborative fieldwork with the Baduy community. The study highlights essential elements of Baduy lifeways—including pikukuh, buyut, and principles of asceticism—alongside formal and informal rules that shape engagements with outsiders. The findings underscore the necessity of conducting research that is reflexive and respectful, rooted in the Baduy’s spiritual-relational epistemology. The discussion calls for a rearticulation of research ethics within sacred and Indigenous settings and advocates for pluriversality as a framework to honor diverse ontologies and knowledge systems. This study offers an original contribution by centering Indigenous epistemologies in research methodology and advancing a collaborative model for ethical engagement in sacred landscapes.
The Role of Religion in Building Peace in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Literature Review Sidik, Mohamad Dindin Hamam; Dilawati, Rika
FOCUS Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025): Focus
Publisher : Parahyangan Catholic University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.26593/focus.v6i1.9350

Abstract

This study aims to systematically examine the role of religion in peacebuilding in Southeast Asia, a region marked by significant religious and cultural diversity as well as recurring ethno-religious conflicts. While religion is often associated with violence, this research highlights its constructive potential by mapping how religious actors, institutions, and values contribute to reconciliation and social cohesion. Employing a qualitative Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, this study analyzed 35 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2014 and 2024, selected from databases such as Scopus and Google Scholar. The articles were screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria focusing on empirical research dealing explicitly with religion and peace within Southeast Asia. The analysis identified five thematic areas: the role of religious actors, strategies of interfaith dialogue and mediation, integration of local wisdom, institutional and political challenges, and the contribution of religious education. The findings reveal that religious figures—across Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity—have been central in peacebuilding initiatives, particularly when supported by grassroots legitimacy and cultural contextualization. Dialogical approaches, cultural sensitivity, and educational programs emerged as effective mechanisms for fostering tolerance and reconciliation. However, structural challenges, such as state bureaucracy, ideological resistance, and illiberal policies, continue to hinder the full participation of religious actors in formal peace processes. The study underscores the importance of multi-level collaboration and the recognition of religious institutions not merely as symbolic agents, but as strategic partners in sustainable peacebuilding. Its originality lies in its comprehensive synthesis of literature that bridges fragmented local case studies into a regional framework, offering new insights for both academic discourse and policy development on religion and peace in Southeast Asia.
From Kitab Kuning to Digital Content: The Political Theology of BIWALI Pesantren in the 2024 Regional Elections Ahmad, Ikhsan; Haq, Mochamad Ziaul
FOCUS Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025): Focus
Publisher : Parahyangan Catholic University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.26593/focus.v6i1.9397

Abstract

This study aims to analyze how the traditional pesantren kobong Bintang Sembilan Wali (BIWALI) in Banten reconstructs Islamic political theology through digital media during the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections. The research addresses the urgency of understanding how religious institutions adapt to algorithmic political communication and navigate the blurred boundaries between dakwah and electoral propaganda. Employing a qualitative case study approach, the study combines online observation of BIWALI’s official social media accounts with literature analysis to examine the epistemological, sociological, and practical dimensions of digital dakwah content. The findings reveal three major insights: first, BIWALI transforms the authority of the kitab kuning into algorithmically shaped visual narratives; second, it uses moral dakwah as a strategic medium for political endorsement; and third, it triggers public polarization that challenges the singular authority of pesantren in digital discourse. These results suggest that pesantren have evolved into active political actors capable of shaping public opinion in the digital sphere. The research contributes to the fields of Islamic communication, digital religion, and political theology by showing how pesantren function as producers—not merely preservers—of Islamic discourse. Its originality lies in exploring pesantren kobong as algorithmic agents that reinterpret religious authority and communication ethics in the age of viral politics, offering a fresh theoretical and empirical perspective to the study of Islamic institutions in contemporary democracy.
Symbolic Modification and Declining Community Participation in Cultural Traditions: A Study of the Ngarot Ritual in Tugu Village, Indramayu, West Java Siga, Willfridus Demetrius; Waruwu, Dominikus; Fransiska, Federika; Joshua, Marchelino
FOCUS Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025): Focus
Publisher : Parahyangan Catholic University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.26593/focus.v6i1.9400

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of modification on the declining community participation in the Ngarot ceremony in Tugu Village, Lelea Subdistrict, Indramayu Regency. Ngarot is an agrarian tradition that emphasizes the regeneration of cultural values through the active involvement of youth. Unlike Lelea Village, which has preserved the symbolic structure and educational function of Ngarot, Tugu Village has undergone format changes—such as the removal of agricultural training, the addition of religious recitations (pengajian), and entertainment—that have led to a disorientation of meaning and decreased engagement among younger generations. This study employs a qualitative approach using a descriptive-interpretative method. Data were obtained through interviews, observation, and document analysis, and were analyzed thematically and reflectively. The findings reveal that modifications that disregard the cultural structure of meaning can trigger symbolic alienation, interpretive conflict between cultural and religious narratives, and a sustainability crisis in traditional practices. The original contribution of this research lies in mapping the relationship between local policy, symbolic transformation, and cultural participation. This study recommends a contextual meaning-based preservation model and active youth engagement as an alternative approach to sustaining traditions amid ongoing social change.
Integration of Amaedola in Pastoral Context of the Catholic Church in Nias, Indonesia Hulu, Stefanus Deliati; Daeli, Onesius Otenieli
FOCUS Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025): Focus
Publisher : Parahyangan Catholic University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.26593/focus.v6i1.9410

Abstract

This study aims to reaffirm the relevance of amaedola, a traditional proverb of Nias which is rich ofethicsand moral values, as a means to form a humanistic, integrative, and dignified character. Despite its deep cultural significance, amaedolais increasingly neglected, particularly among younger generations who are more captivated by the allure of global culture. The rapid flow of information and modern technology has further eroded interest in local wisdom. This research employs a qualitative methodology with an ethnographic approach. Data were collected through literature review, interviews, and direct observation in local communities. The findings reveal that amaedolaserves as an effective medium for pastoral engagement in Nias, as its messages and meanings are embedded in the communal psyche and resonate with the lived experiences of the people. These values facilitate a more accessible embodiment of faith and spirituality through existing cultural traditions. The study implies that integrating amaedolainto pastoral practices not only enhances cultural sensitivity in ministry but also contributes to the preservation and revitalization of Nias’ indigenous wisdom. The originality of this research lies in its contextual theological approach, which bridges local culture and pastoral praxis in a manner that affirms indigenous identity and spiritual development.      
Paradigm Menemukan Kekatolikan Baru: Telaah Pemikiran Ilia Delio tentang Teologi, Sains, dan Teknologi: Discovering a New Catholicism: A Study of Ilia Delio’s Thought on Theology, Science, and Technology Triesadi, Bernardus Andriananta Hadityo; Atawolo, Andreas Bernadinus
FOCUS Vol. 6 No. 2 (2025): Focus
Publisher : Parahyangan Catholic University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.26593/cwcm5x96

Abstract

This study explores Ilia Delio’s thought on a new paradigm of “catholicity” within the context of dialogue between faith and science. This topic is significant because the Catholic Church is frequently challenged to reassess the relevance of its teachings amid the rapid advancement of scientific knowledge and the global ecological crisis. The research employs a qualitative method with a hermeneutic approach and literature review of Delio’s works. The main findings indicate that “catholicity” should not be understood merely as an institution or doctrinal system, but as a spiritual consciousness that unites all of creation in the love of God. The holistic dimension highlighted includes the interconnectedness of the universe, humanity, Christ, and the Church as part of a cosmic evolutionary process directed toward unity. The implications of this thought are relevant for the development of contextual theology, especially in addressing technological and ecological challenges in a more inclusive and sustainable way. This study offers added value through a systematic synthesis of Delio’s ideas and their potential application in renewing theological understandings of the identity and mission of the Catholic Church in the contemporary era.

Page 8 of 8 | Total Record : 76

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