Journal for Christian reflections in the context of social sciences and humanities

Caritas et veritas 2024, 14(2):98-110 | DOI: 10.32725/cetv.2024.023

Theological Challenges of God’s Providence during the Covid-19 Pandemic: a Case Study in Indonesia

Jusuf Haries Kelelufna
Institut Agama Kristen Negeri Ambon, Ambon Maluku, Indonesia

The misguided theological view of God’s providence and worship practices that are not in accordance with health protocols contributed to the spread of Covid-19. It was seen in many religious clusters of the spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia. This research answers the challenges faced by the church in theology and explains how theology has developed during the pandemic. The research was conducted with a qualitative approach. The participants involved in this research were priests, assemblies, and members of congregations of churches in Maluku, Indonesia. The data in the form of interview results were then analysed with Huberman’s analysis. The real challenge faced by the church is not the Covid-19 pandemic itself but the challenge from within. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on Christian theology because it encourages the improvement of theological concepts, and religious practices in accordance with the development of science and technology, as well as the development of human resources and infrastructure that support worship. Concrete action is needed to answer the findings in the form of education and training, standardisation of priests, and inter-religious cooperation in various elements in the context of developing human resources and infrastructure.

Keywords: theology, providence, Covid-19, church, virtual

Received: February 24, 2022; Revised: January 3, 2023; Accepted: January 23, 2023; Prepublished online: January 14, 2025; Published: January 25, 2025  Show citation

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Haries Kelelufna, J. (2024). Theological Challenges of God’s Providence during the Covid-19 Pandemic: a Case Study in Indonesia. Caritas et veritas, 14(2), 98-110. doi: 10.32725/cetv.2024.023
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