TINJAUAN TEOLOGIS TERHADAP PERAYAAN IBADAH IMLEK DI GEREJA LOKAL: ANALISIS DALAM PERSPEKTIF ALKITAB

Abstract

The Lunar New Year celebration is a cultural and religious tradition of the Chinese community that is rich in spiritual symbolism and social values. Within the context of local churches in Indonesia especially those with Chinese congregations there has emerged the phenomenon of holding a “Chinese New Year Worship Service” as an expression of gratitude and as an act of inculturation of the Christian faith within Chinese culture. However, this practice has sparked theological debate between inculturation and syncretism.This study aims to provide a theological review of the Chinese New Year worship based on the principles of pure and biblical worship, referring primarily to Exodus 20:3–5 and John 4:23–24. The research employs a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach through literature study and hermeneutical analysis of biblical texts.The results show that culture can serve as a means of proclaiming the Gospel insofar as it is transformed by the truth of God’s Word and does not contain elements of worship toward spirits or idols. Cultural symbols such as red color, lanterns, and red envelopes (angpao) can be reinterpreted Christologically as expressions of joy and gratitude to God, rather than as instruments of magical spirituality.Thus, the Chinese New Year worship can be accepted within the local church context if it is conducted culturally rather than spiritually, while keeping Christ as the center of worship. This study emphasizes the importance of theological discernment for the church in developing a contextual liturgy that remains faithful to the purity of the Christian faith and biblical truth.