Efforts to Unite Diversity in an Indonesian Baptist Churches Context: An Ecumenical Perspective based on John 17:20-21

Abstract

This article aims to propose a model of togetherness between churches based on Biblical truths. In the historical facts, togetherness efforts between churches often experience some problems. Various unification efforts are often carried out, but the results have not been seen to last. On the other hand, efforts have also emerged to unite the church by eliminating its diversity, but the problem istill remains at the feet of the ecumenical movement. Such conditions, however, endanger the ecumenical movement itself. The results of this study are expected to produce a biblical paradigm and give the direction to the ecumenical movement, so that we can bring diverse churches together to a better condition of unity as Christ’s Body. This research applied a qualitative methodology. The researchers evaluated the qualitative data, and gave meaning or interpretation to the facts obtained using biblical literature. This research was carried out byfirst collecting data related to the ecumenical movement, secondly extracting biblical text data, and thirdly looking at the relevance to the present ecumenical movement. This study offers an effort to unite churches in Indonesia, especially in the context of the Indonesian Baptist Churches based on John 17:20-21 within an ecumenical perspective.