Cross-Cultural Christian Education in the Metaverse: Developing Virtual Faith Communities for Global Spiritual Formation and Interfaith Dialogue

Oktavianus Rangga

doi:10.70062/greenphilosophy.v1i1.34

Authors

Oktavianus Rangga Sekolah Tinggi Agama Kristen Arastamar Grimenawa Jayapura

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70062/greenphilosophy.v1i1.34

Keywords:

Cross-Cultural, Christian Education, Metaverse, Virtual Faith Communities, Global Spiritual Formation

Abstract

This study aims to explore the role of cross-cultural Christian education in cyberspace in supporting the formation of virtual faith communities for global spiritual formation and interfaith dialogue. Issues that include the challenges of globalization and digitalization that change the way communities interact, especially in religious contexts. The methods used are concept analysis and literature studies that support the development of a theoretical framework for digital-based cross-cultural education. The results of the study indicate that digital platforms can be an effective means of creating inclusive cross-cultural dialogue spaces, strengthening spiritual identity, and facilitating cross-cultural learning. The findings also highlight the importance of design programs that are sensitive to cultural and technical contexts. The main conclusion of this study is that cross-cultural Christian education in cyberspace can be a powerful tool for advancing global solidarity and interfaith dialogue. However, its success depends on collaboration between educators, technology developers, and religious communities, as well as attention to obstacles such as digital literacy and unequal access to technology.

References

Andok, M. (2024). The impact of online media on religious authority. Religions, 15(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091103

Anthony, M. T. (2024). Cultivating digital wisdom in the deep future. IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies, 9(1), 8–30. https://doi.org/10.22492/ijcs.9.si.01

Assingkily, M. S. (2021). Metode penelitian pendidikan (Panduan menulis artikel ilmiah dan tugas akhir). Penerbit K-Media.

Azzuhri, M., Huang, M.-P., & Irawanto, D. (2024). Reinventing spiritual leadership from an Indonesian perspective. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/14705958241245245

Bajan, A. (2020). Brazos Fellowship: A case study in digitally mediated liturgical design. Brill: Ecclesial Practices, 7(2), 32–47.

Bingaman, K. A. (2023). Religion in the digital age: An irreversible process. Religions, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14010108

Campbell, H. A. (2012). Digital religion: Understanding religious practice in new media worlds. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203084861

Gasperz, S. (2009). Iman tidak pernah amin: Menjadi Kristen & menjadi Indonesia. BPK Gunung Mulia.

Gulo, R. P., Zai, E., & Harefa, A. (2023). Pendidikan agama Kristen dalam masyarakat majemuk: Mencerminkan hidup humanis di tengah-tengah pluralisme. ELEOS: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen, 2(2), 81–90.

Hadi, N. F., & Afandi, N. K. (2021). Literature review is a part of research. Sulawesi Tenggara Educational Journal, 1(3), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.54297/seduj.v1i3.203

Hia, Y., & Waruwu, E. W. (2023). Dampak teknologi digital terhadap pewartaan Injil dalam konteks menggereja. Phronesis: Jurnal Teologi Dan Misi, 6(2), 178–192. https://doi.org/10.47457/phr.v6i2.395

Hilmy, A. L., & Respati, Y. A. (2024). Evolusi konstruksi agama di Indonesia: Sinkretisme dan koeksistensi dalam lanskap keagamaan: Integrasi tradisi lokal, pengaruh kolonial, dan modernisasi. Integritas Terbuka: Peace and Interfaith Studies, 3(1), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.59029/int.v3i1.33

Hirschy, M. (2011). Virtual team leadership: A case study in Christian higher education. Christian Higher Education, 10(2), 111–197.

Jimmy, A. (2024). Katolisitas digital: Mengintegrasikan artificial intelligence dalam pembentukan iman generasi Z. Stipas Tahasak Danum Pambelum Keuskupan Palangkaraya, 2(2), 174–192.

Juhri, M. A., & Hariani, H. (2023). Cultivating religious inclusiveness through social media: Decorating podcast for interfaith dialogue in the "Login Program." Digital Muslim Review, 1(2), 105–119. https://doi.org/10.32678/dmr.v1i2.13

Kurniawan, W., Rohman, M., Sudrajat, W., Yana, H. H., Nawawi, M. L., & Najah, S. (2024). Analisis kompetensi guru pendidikan Islam dalam pengembangan kurikulum merdeka menuju local genius 6.0 ideas Internet of Things (IoT). An-Nawa: Jurnal Studi Islam, 6(1), 103–118. https://doi.org/10.37758/annawa.v6i1.964

Lase, Y., Pasaribu, F., Bang, A. D., & Paat, V. (2023). Church and dialogue: Build dialogue between religions in a virtual world. Matetes STT Ebenhaezer, 4(1), 1–7.

Lei, C., Wu, H., Sun, N., Zhao, Y., & Ye, M. (2024). Application of virtual simulation technology in research experiment teaching and management. Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.2478/amns-2024-2337

Miner, M., & Beilharz, K. (2023). Mentoring in Christian higher education: Cross-cultural reflections from Australia. Christian Higher Education, 22(2), 345–359. https://doi.org/10.1080/15363759.2023.2280985

Mubarok, M. S. (2024). Manajemen strategi sekolah berbasis mutu di era digital: Menghadapi tantangan dan memanfaatkan peluang. Dialektika Jurnal Pendidikan, 8(2), 554–566. https://doi.org/10.58436/dfkip.v8i2.1600

Nababan, S., Sianturi, E., Rantung, D. A., Naibaho, L., & Boiliu, E. R. (2023). Peran pendidikan agama Kristen dalam mengatasi dampak penggunaan teknologi bagi remaja di era digital. Harati: Jurnal Pendidikan Kristen, 3(2), 205–217.

Opara, C. O., Gbule, N. J., & Olumati, R. (2023). Deux ex Machina ("God from the machine"): Exploring digital worship in the Salvation Ministries, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Khazanah Journal of Religion and Technology, 1(2), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.15575/kjrt.v1i2.350

Pariama, L. S. (2024). Integrating digital literacy in Christian religious education: A study of students in Politeknik Negeri Ambon. International Education Trend Issues, 2(2), 214–224. https://doi.org/10.56442/ieti.v2i2.719

Parish, H. (2020). The absence of presence and the presence of absence: Social distancing, sacraments, and the virtual religious community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Religions, 11(2), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel11060276

Rangga, O. (2024). Pembelajaran agama Kristen berbasis pengalaman: Membangun iman melalui narasi hidup. PEADA’: Jurnal Pendidikan Kristen, 5(2), 81–99. https://doi.org/10.34307/peada.v5i2.216

Rangga, O., Bilo, D. T., & Yuliana, D. (2024). Penggunaan teknologi informasi dalam pembelajaran pendidikan agama Kristen: Memperbaharui pikiran untuk meningkatkan spiritualitas di Roma 12: 2. Didache, 5(2), 127–140. https://doi.org/10.55076/didache.v5i2.164

Rangga, O., Yuliana, D., & Mailoor, A. J. A. (2024). Unearthing biblical wisdom for active learning: An interactive model of Christian education in the age of digital technology. TELEIOS: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen, 4(2), 147–159. https://doi.org/10.53674/teleios.v4i2.179

Sijabat, N., & Sinaga, J. (2024). Inkarnasi Yesus Kristus dalam dialog teologis-filosofis: Dari doktrinal hingga implikasi transformatif. Jurnal Media Sabda Biblika, 1(1), 44–56.

Sinaga, A. V. (2024). Spiritualitas digital gereja menghadapi disrupsi teknologi: Sebuah refleksi 1 Petrus 2: 5 tentang membangun rumah rohani di dunia digital. HRONOS: Jurnal Teologi Kristen, 5(2), 131–144. https://ojs.bmptkki.or.id/index.php/thronos/article/view/61

Sumartono, E. (2024). Filsafat kehidupan pelaut: Memahami keseimbangan antara teknologi dan spiritualitas di era 5.0. Journal of Mandalika Social Science, 2(2), 225–235. https://doi.org/10.59613/jomss.v2i2.166

Wuisan, P. I., Suparman, A., & Wibawa, B. (2024). Sistem penilaian kompetensi profesional guru berbasis elektronik: Konsep dan aplikasi. Bumi Aksara.

Zanovsyah, D., Wiratno, E., & Multazam, D. I. (2024). Refleksi moderasi beragama di era Society 5.0: Dalam menghadapi fenomena religious blasphemy digital. Riwikrama: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, 4(9), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.6578/triwikrama.v4i9.5483

Zebua, S. I. P., Giban, Y., & Karlau, S. A. (2024). Instruksi pendidikan agama Kristen dalam mengembangkan karakter dan nilai-nilai spiritual dalam era digital 5.0. EDULEAD: Journal of Christian Education and Leadership, 5(1), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.47530/edulead.v5i1.207

Zuhri, A. M. (2021). Beragama di ruang digital; Konfigurasi ideologi dan ekspresi keberagamaan masyarakat virtual. Nawa Litera Publishing.