Theological Education in The Pancasila Society of Indonesia: Creating a Harmonious Inter-Religious Relationship

Abstract

This article explores the role of theological education in fostering inter-religious harmony within Indonesia's multicultural and multi-religious society, particularly in the context of the Pancasila state ideology. It argues that Indonesian theological education must move toward a transformational approach—one rooted in Paul Ricoeur's concept of "second naiveté"—in order to enable churches and Christian communities to actively contribute to the nation's development. Historically shaped by colonial-era piety and restricted from political involvement, Indonesian Christianity must now reorient itself to engage constructively in a pluralistic society. The paper situates this challenge within Indonesia’s unique nation-building process, where nationalism, Islam, and socialism were synthesized into the Pancasila ideology. Theological education, therefore, plays a crucial role in cultivating religious leaders who understand and embrace Indonesia’s pluralistic identity and can work towards social justice, equality, and peaceful coexistence. The paper concludes that embracing this transformative theological vision is not only vital for the future of Christianity in Indonesia but also offers a valuable model for global religious engagement in diverse societies.