WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

CHAPTER SEVEN
AN EXAMPLE OF
CONTEXTUALISED
MINISTRY AMONG JAVANESE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter focuses on an example of contextualization among the Javanese
in Indonesia. It does not discuss the worldview of the Javanese which is
highly influenced by mysticism. For a further understanding of the Javanese
worldview and beliefs, a study of Javanese mysticism or kebatinan is necessary.
Mysticism runs parallel to the major religions which have influenced Indonesia
– Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity.
Although Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, pure
Islam is practised by a small percentage of the population. The Javanese on the
island of Java form the largest people. Javanese Islam is highly syncretistic.
Studying kebatinan will give an important overview of Javanese religious life.
Searching the internet under “kebatinan” will bring up some sources of
anthropological articles and books.
Clanging gongs, beating drums, glaring footlights ... what is happening?
Here is the true story. 1
For two years, a cross-cultural missionary experimented with traditional
Javanese art forms in an attempt to contextualise the ministry. The aim was to
convey the Gospel and biblical principles utilising traditional music and drama,
so that Javanese could naturally respond to these concepts.
The missionary and his family developed an interest in learning gamelan
instruments. 2 In the process of learning the siter, 3 the missionary’s teacher and
his wife trusted Christ. The teacher was a well-known wayang orang4 actor who
performed at wayang kulit shows. 5 He was also leader of the gamelan. His wife
was a skilful costume maker and make-up artist. As their lives were transformed
by the Gospel, they wanted to communicate their faith to others.
1 Adapted from a paper with the same title, presented at a seminar, 1988.
2 Gamelan is the Javanese classical orchestra comprising approximately forty instruments, including bronze gongs, flutes, and
xylophones. It provides the accompaniment for most traditional music and theatre.
3 Javanese zither in three sizes.
4 Wayang is a dance-drama, orang means a person. Wayang orang are actors-dancers who chant their parts, following careful
movements in imitation of puppets, which are manipulated by a puppeteer.
5 Ancient puppet theatre of Java. Shadows are cast on a white sheet by flat leather puppets manipulated by a puppeteer who also
narrates the story.
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