The Prophetic Transformation of the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP) Amid Socio-Ecological Conflicts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64099/tv1px846Keywords:
Church Agency, HKBP, Local Church, Moral Politics, Toba Pulp LestariAbstract
This study aims to analyze the role of the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP) in responding to environmental conflicts and the dispossession of indigenous lands by PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL), and how the church’s stance reflects a form of moral politics within the sociocultural context of the Batak people. Employing a descriptive-qualitative approach, this research utilizes content analysis of institutional documents, news reports, and relevant prior studies. Data interpretation draws on theoretical frameworks from Maslow, Giddens, Oliver, Fletcher, and the concept of institutional dissonance. The findings reveal a dynamic shift in HKBP’s position, ranging from open resistance, pragmatic cooperation, to the revival of prophetic engagement. A significant factor affecting the effectiveness of the church’s moral movement lies in the tension between central leadership and local congregations. The study concludes that HKBP’s practice of moral politics represents a complex interplay of institutional structure, socio-economic pressures, and contextual ethical considerations. These findings contribute to the field of public theology and highlight the importance of participatory communication in maintaining moral consistency amid political and economic pressure.
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