Truth as a Foundation
A Comparative Study of Truth in John 17:17 and the Philosophy of Habonaron Do Bona as an Effort to Build the Contextual Identity of the Simalungun Protestant Christian Church (GKPS)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62926/js.v1i2.100Keywords:
Truth, John 17:17, Habonaron Do Bona, Contextual, GKPSAbstract
This article conducts a comparative study to analyze the meaning of truth in the biblical text of John 17:17, and the Simalungun philosophy of Habonaron Do Bona. This is done under the principle of reconciling the concept of truth within biblical foundations with local wisdom, which is then applied to shape a more contextual identity for GKPS (the Simalungun Protestant Christian Church). As a contextual church, GKPS strives to communicate the Christian faith within Simalungun culture. GKPS, as a church, also inevitably confronts acts of untruthfulness, such as corruption, theft, dishonesty, and similar issues. Therefore, this article seeks to address these challenges by reasserting the significance of truth within the GKPS context. Using contextual theology theory, comparative research, and qualitative methods, this article demonstrates that truth possesses a robust biblical foundation while remaining rooted in local culture. Through the intellectual contributions presented here, the truth can be taught and understood within the GKPS context by framing it as a biblical Christian teaching that is also deeply rooted in local cultural traditions.
References
Adams, Daniel J. Teologi Lintas Budaya: Refleksi Barat di Asia. Translated by D. Sutisna and K. G. Hamakonda. Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia, 2019.
Alinurdin, D. “Konsep Kebenaran Allah Menurut Rasul Paulus di dalam Surat Roma.” Jurnal Veritas 17, no. 1 (2018)
Andrews, Edward D. John 3:16: For God So Loved the World. Cambridge, Ohio: Christian Publishing House, 2017.
Chairunissa, and I. Yuniati. “Bahasa Dan Kebudayaan.” UNES Journal of Education Scienties 2, no. 1 (2018)
Cipta, Samudra E. “100% Katolik 100% Indonesia: Suatu Tinjauan Historis Perkembangan Nasionalisme Umat Katolik di Indonesia.” Jurnal Sosiologi Agama 14, no. 1 (2020)
Damanik, Jan J. Dari Ilah Menuju Allah: Sejarah Kekristenan di Simalungun Dalam Aras Perjumpaan Injil Dengan Kebudayaan. Yogyakarta: Penerbit ANDI, 2017.
Dasuha, Juandaha R. P., Suprayitno, H. Dewi, B. Agustono, H. Saragih, K. Turnip, and Setia D. Purba. Sejarah Etnis Simalungun (Sejak Kerajaan Nagur Sampai Terintegrasinya Ke Pangkuan Provinsi Sumatera Utara 1950). Pematang Raya: Universitas Sumatera Utara dan Kabupaten Simalungun, 2020.
Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey (4th ed). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2022.
Fitri, H. “Habonaron Do Bona and Sapangambei Manoktok Hitei Symbols Interpreted as Simalungun Ethnic Identity in Regional Autonomy.” International Conference on Contemporary Social and Political Affairs 1, no. 1 (2017)
Kantor Pusat GKPS. Tata Gereja GKPS (Dokumen Sinode Bolon GKPS Ke-44, No. 2). Pematangsiantar: Kantor Pusat GKPS, 2020.
Kleden, I. “Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial Dan Teologi Kontekstual.” Jurnal Ledalero 17, no. 2 (2018)
Lucas, Tjong A., and S. Binar. “Makna Frasa ‘ὁ Ἀμνὸς Τοῦ Θεοῦ’ Dalam Yohanes 1:29.” Jurnal Teologi dan Pelayanan Kerusso 9, no. 2 (2024)
Makahekung, C. “Pendekatan Teologi Kontekstual dalam Menciptakan Dialog Antar Agama” Shamayim: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Kristen 3, No. 1 (2024)
Nasution, M. I. S., Dahlia V. H. Sipayung, Erich P. Pasaribu, Elia D. S. Gurusinga, and Melisa N. Siahaan. “Sejarah Perkembangan GKPS Pertama Di Kota Medan Tahun 1952.” Innovative: Journal of Social Science Research 4, no. 3 (2024)
Ndona, Y., L. Siagian, and Pulumun P. Ginting. “‘Habonaron Do Bona’: Simalungun Community Values Philosophy and Inspiration for Anti-Corruption Education in Indonesia.” Jurnal Al-Ulum 2, no. 1 (2021)
Newman, Barclay M. Kamus Yunani-Indonesia Untuk Perjanjian Baru. Edited by J. Miller and G. van Klinken. 23rd ed. Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia, 2018.
Nggebu, S. “Korupsi dalam Sorotan Etika Kristen dan Implikasinya Bagi Pendidikan Anti Korupsi” Didaché: Journal of Christian Education 2, no. 1 (2021)
Nopi, Yanti A. R., R. S. Hasibuan, T. J. Saragih, R. B. B Perangin-angin, and Parlaungan G. Siahaan. “Potensi Perlindungan Kain Hiou Sebagai Ekspresi Budaya Tradisional Suku Simalungun.” IJEDR: Indonesian Journal of Education and Development Research 2, no. 1 (2024)
Purba, Freddy A. “Kajian Etis Deontologis Berdasarkan Falsafah Habonaron Do Bona Dalam Penanganan Korupsi.” Fidei: Jurnal Teologi Sistematika dan Praktika 7, no. 1 (2024)
Ridderbos, Herman N. Injil Yohanes: Suatu Tafsiran Teologis. Translated by L. Wahyuni. Jakarta: Penerbit Momentum, 2018.
Saragih, Jan C. W. “Contextualisation of John 8:37-47 in the Context of Hoax Among Indonesians.” Studium Biblicum: Jurnal Teologi dan Studi Biblika 1, no. 2 (2024)
Saragih, Jan C. W. & Tarihoran, Joshua T. V. H. “Sumbangsih Pemikiran dalam Konteks GKPS: Menuju Konseling Pastoral yang Holistik” The Way: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan 11, no. 1 (2025)
Sinaga, Andri V. & Togatorop, Andri R. “Persekutuan Dan Pelayanan Yang Berdampak: Mengulik Makna Teologis Persekutuan Dan Pelayanan Berdasarkan Kisah Para Rasul 2:41-47 Serta Implikasinya Bagi GKPS Masa Kini” Innovative: Journal of Social Science Research 3, no. 5 (2023)
Sinaga, Andri V. “Penggembalaan Spiral: Memaknai Perjumpaan Yesus Dengan Perempuan Samaria (Yoh. 4:1-42) di Era Postmodern.” Fidei: Jurnal Teologi Sistematika dan Praktika 7, no. 1 (2024)
Sipayung, Febri R. “Buku Doding Haleluya Sebagai Salah Satu Media Pelestarian Lagu Rakyat Simalungun Di GKPS Simalingkar.” Grenek Music Journal 7, no. 1 (2017)
Sitohang, L., N. Hutapea, and N. Sitanggang. “Perspektif Budaya Luar Terhadap Suku Simalungun.” Eastasouth: Journal of Impactive Community Services 2, no. 2 (2024)
Sugiono & Dompas, Befly H. “Studi Komparatif Teologi Paulus berdasarkan Surat Roma dengan Teologi Yakobus berdasarkan Surat Yakobus tentang Keselamatan” Eleos: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen 2, No. 1 (2022)
Talbert, Charles H. Reading John: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Fourth Gospel and the Johannine Epistles. Revised Edition. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 2017.
Thomaskutty, J. “Oneness in John 17:1-26 as a Paradigm for Wider Ecumenism and Dialogue.” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 78, no. 3 (2022)
Untoro, T. “Trinitas Dalam Konsep Sang Logos Bersama Sang Theos Menurut Yohanes 1:1.” Magnum Opus: Jurnal Teologi dan Kepemimpinan Kristen 1, no. 1 (2019)
Wibowo, Eka A. & Kristanto, H. “Korupsi dalam Pelayanan Gereja: Analisis Potensi Penyimpangan dan Pengendalian Internal” Integritas: Jurnal Antikorupsi 3, no. 2 (2017)
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Sisean: Journal of Theology and Christian Mission
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
