Thursday, September 25, 2025

Strengthening the Values of Christian Education in Facing the New Normal Era

 

Authors: Dirk R. Kolibu, Ramot Peter, Lamhot Naibaho, Stenly R. Paparang, Edward E. Hanock

Introduction

The global problems facing the nations of the world in recent days are increasingly complex.  The Covid-19 pandemic has forced an increasingly complex change and has resulted in the development of individualistic views amid rapid change.  The competition of the world is increasingly open so that those who are not able to compete will be tempted.  Social change, the rapid development of IT (information technology), the rapid flow of globalization has made many significant social changes, and so fast.  This condition is inevitable, so it is necessary to establish National Resilience as a dynamic condition of national and state life capable of combating all forms of threat that endanger the sovereignty and survival of the nation [1; 2].  The threats can arise from within and outside the sovereignty of the country and can threaten all dimensions of national life, namely: ideology, politics, economy, social, cultural, defense and security.  To face various threats, Indonesians should prepare themselves for all aspects of life in the face of various impacts of globalization.  The development of Science and Technology is a trigger that is so fast and has the potential to cause threats both from home and abroad [3; 4]. There is an ambivalence of the use of science and technology that is a means to spread fake news, pornography and pornography, fraud, and other crimes that have caused a deterioration in the character and morale of the nation's children [5; 6]. On the other hand, the advancement of science and technology, especially in the field of IT, has changed the human life order more easily with all online facilities [7]. Advances in IT in the 4.0 technology era have forced different dimensions of life to be sucked into it. More than that, Christian educational values need to be seen in the scheme of change during the Covid-19 pandemic, and education providers need to strengthen those values [8; 9]. With this action, Christian education is expected to survive and give widespread influence even though the threat is an inhibition factor. The values of Christian education, namely relational, humanity, creed, and missional, should be able to develop biblical principles to continue to make inroads along with the times.  Increasingly sophisticated technology and information can be a medium for strengthening the values of Christian education.

Methodology

This research uses narrative methods conducted by fact-observing, reading and reviewing literature that are closely related to the context of Christian educational values and other significant features that have the support of facts and the power of theory. The narrative method is a research step that collects data from various sources. This method is used as a construction formulation of thoughts on strengthening Christian education values in the normal era in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The research process was carried out by explaining the phenomena that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic and showing strengthening points on Christian values that include relational, humanities, creeds, and missional.  

Results / Findings  

Christian educational values that include relational, humanities, creeds and missional are a biblical formulation that shows the identity and face of Christian education itself. In fact, without these values, Christian education cannot become a global education system.  Especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic coupled with advances in technology and information in the era of industrial revolution 4.0, encouraging every Christian education stakeholder and observer to strive for strengthening these values [10; 11]. Christian education has contributed both locally, nationally, and internationally. The pattern of strengthening will be an internal mechanism that encourages all parties to be able to participate in realizing a credible and biblical Christian education.  Relational, humanity, creed, and missional are biblical values expiration in public spaces, where Christian education is applied [12; 13].

In today's observation of facts, there are shifts and changes in almost all areas of human life. Paradigms and learning processes are also affected by advances in technology and information, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic [14].  Reflecting on the phenomenon, Christian education, with its internal values needs to be the main highlight to be strengthened as an act of anticipation of the Covid-19 pandemic phenomenon that is not yet known when it ends [15].  Thus, strengthening the values of Christian education is expected to be a priority step by every Christian education stakeholder and observer so that the vision, mission, and objectives of Christian education can be realized. 

The source of Christian Education is rooted in God's righteousness. The Bible notes that obedience to this law will have a positive impact on blessings and successes; otherwise, disobedience results in condemnation and condemnation (De deity 28). Walter Brueggemann stated in his writings that the Torah is, an intentional ethical practice, and hence the Torah is a command. The people of Israel were invited to reflect amicably and attentively, about the meaning of related to and derived from intangible God.  That is, the practice of the Torah is not a study; the practice of the Torah is worship [16; 17].  It is an individual intensity with God significantly, discourse or conversation with God (theology).  The relationship is certainly built on the basis of "fear of the Lord" (Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 10:12). The fear of the Lord begins with a confession of faith in the Lord called "Shema" "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is One!"  (Deut. 6:4). 

The basis of calling was to love the Lord as the primary duty of carrying out the Lord's will (Deuteronomy 6:5), "You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength". That is, the ultimate purpose of God's commandments is to instill the love of God expressed through faithfulness and obedience. So, loving God is synonymous with answering His unique calling [18; 19]. The call is closely related to "work" or "vocation" (English), "vocare" (Latin), translated to "calling".  That is, in "work" there is the meaning of "call", because "work" is a call. Who is calling? The Lord who calls His people to serve Him [20; 21]. The Hebrew word "call" has the meaning of "worship" and "work" is the same word בבבע ה - 'Avodah, (Arabic absorption) being called "worship" as an exercise in serving the Lord (Genesis 2:15), "The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work for and preserve the garden". So obviously the word work is serving as a natural activity for man since it was called by Him to seek and choose ara.  A servant must understand how God shaped himself for service [22; 23]. Whenever God gives a task, He always equips a servant with what is needed to accomplish it. It can be identified and understand the factors that exist. Warren explained itself is a combination of many different factors.  A special combination of these abilities is called SHAPE (Spiritual Gift, Heart, Abilities, Personality).

Conclusion

 The education system needs to be built in totality as an interaction of a set of educational elements that work together in an integrated manner, and complement each other towards achieving educational goals that have become ideals with the perpetrators. Although the fact of the Covid-19 pandemic has made everything change, strengthening the values of Christian education:  relational, humanities, creeds, and missional become a joint task. Christian education becomes an essential part in facing the deterioration of national character as the impact of the ambivalence of science and technology development, including in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic.  Therefore, strengthening the values of Christian education remains a priority for stakeholders and education providers. Christian education is expected to create a superior young generation in all fields facing the challenges of intolerance amidst diversity. Educators are expected to instill Christian values and national values to prepare students for entry into the workforce in the 4.0 technology era.

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