Rekonsiliasi identitas dan politik tubuh Kristus
Efesus 2 dalam konteks polarisasi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30995/kur.v12i1.1554Keywords:
body of Christ, Ephesians 2, identity politics, new humanity, polarization, reconciliation, Efesus 2, manusia baru, polarisasi, politik identitas, rekonsiliasi, tubuh KristusAbstract
Social and political polarization poses a serious threat to commu-nal cohesion in various societies, including Indonesia. This article examines Ephesians 2:11-22 as a theological foundation for reconciliation amid contemporary polarization. Through historical-critical exegesis, combined with biblical and political theology, this study demonstrates that Paul presents a radical vision of reconciliation in which Christ demolishes the dividing wall of hostility and creates one new humanity that transcends ethnic and religious boundaries. The Body of Christ functions as an alternative political space that challenges worldly power structures and offers a new identity rooted in union with Christ. Three theological dimensions are explored: exegesis of the concept of the dividing wall and the new humanity, the Body of Christ as an alternative political space, and the application of these findings to contemporary polarization, including issues of xenophobia, racism, religious fundamentalism, and political division. This article concludes that the church is called to be an agent of reconciliation that embodies peace, justice, and love in concrete practice.
Abstrak
Polarisasi sosial-politik menjadi ancaman serius bagi kohesi masyarakat di berbagai belahan dunia, termasuk Indonesia. Artikel ini mengkaji Efesus 2:11-22 sebagai dasar teologis bagi rekonsiliasi di tengah polarisasi kontemporer. Melalui eksegesis historis-kritis yang dikombinasikan dengan teologi biblika dan teologi politik, studi ini menunjukkan bahwa Paulus menghadirkan visi rekonsiliasi yang radikal, di mana Kristus meruntuhkan tembok pemisah permusuhan dan menciptakan satu manusia baru yang melampaui batas-batas identitas etnis dan religius. Tubuh Kristus berfungsi sebagai ruang politik alternatif yang menantang struktur kekuasaan duniawi dan menawarkan identitas baru yang berakar pada kesatuan dengan Kristus. Tiga dimensi teologis dieksplorasi: eksegesis konsep tembok pemisah dan manusia baru, tubuh Kristus sebagai ruang politik alternatif, serta aplikasi temuan tersebut terhadap polarisasi kontemporer, mencakup isu xenofobia, rasisme, fundamentalisme religius, dan polarisasi politik. Artikel ini menyimpulkan bahwa gereja dipanggil menjadi agen rekonsiliasi yang mewujudkan damai sejahtera, keadilan, dan kasih dalam praktik konkret.
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