Student Discussion on Christianity

Read History &

Get Inspired Faith

Christianity has grown up in Indonesia and its history is important to be known by the Christian youth, because there are various church denominations that exist today. But the young generation of Christians in Indonesia who live in various denominations do not know what exactly happened in the history of Christianity and the extent of the contribution of Christianity to this nation.

Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta as an institution mentoring christian students from different regions thought that church history is important to be known by the students. Through a student discussion held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Secretariat of Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta, young people were expected to know the history of Christianity in Indonesia, denomination and its contribution to the nation of Indonesia.

Two dozens of participants joined the three sessions discussion. The first session was guided by Trustha Rembaka, which invited participants to review the early history of Christianity. Participants read the Bible of the apostles who received a mandate from Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to every person, started from Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth as recorded in Acts 1:8. While the term Christian itself appeared around the year 40 AD. Early Christianity started from Palestine then spread to various cities in Asia Minor, North Africa and Syria. Although there were challenges and obstacles, Christianity continued to grow up to Greece to Rome. Roman Empire at the time had very strong influence. Some emperors were opposed to Christianity, but there were some who eventually became a Christian.

The second session was hosted by Yohanes Dian Alpasa. He explained that Christianity has had power and became the state religion. Its great power finally pushed to fraud committed by rogue elements of church leaders that people who have difficulty unnoticed even ignored by the church, bribery among officials of the church for a certain position, infidelity and sex scandals among church leaders, the sale of indulgence letters, as well as sacred objects and cult without clear meaning. Martin Luther initiated campaigning reformation of the church in 1517. Reformation appeared to improve the church so that the church's existence was able to bring people into a better life. Church reform movement spread to many countries in Europe such as Switzerland, Germany, Holland, France and England. The development of Christianity in many different areas generated churches and agencies with specific characteristics and uniqueness, although the essence of Christianity has no difference.

The history of Christianity in Indonesia was presented by Vicky Tri Samekto in the third session. He explained the background of the Europeans who venture into various corners of the earth, known as 3G, namely Glory, Gold and Gospel. In 16th century Christianity began to enter Indonesia, particularly in eastern Indonesia such as Ternate, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara and Timor. Roman Catholicism was brought by the Portuguese and Spanish, while the flow of Protestant Christianity was brought by the Dutch.

At the end of the event, several participants shared their experiences, such as Aniri, a student of UMBY from West Kalimantan, said, "I learned, especially the history of Christianity and grew my curiosity, especially about the problems of the church in my hometown." Another opinion expressed by Wenny, a student of UKRIM from Southeast Maluku, reflected that the first church was formed from the personal side and constructive attitudes and character.

The development of Christianity is not only related with faith but it also made history of the world to preach the gospel to all nations. Young men, let us read history get inspired faith. (TRU).