This article examines, within a comparative framework, the concepts of Era di Langi’ and Puang Tomanurun Tamboro Langi’ in Aluk To Dolo in relation to the Christology of John 14:6. Employing a comparative theological approach, this study analyses the cosmological and soteriological structures of Aluk To Dolo as well as the mediatory functions of these two concepts in connection with Jesus’ claim to be ‘the way, and the truth, and the life’. An exegetical investigation of John 14:6 suggests that, within (...) the Johannine theological framework, access to the Father is portrayed as mediated through the person and work of Christ, whose nature is presented as divine and whose mission carries soteriological and eschatological significance. The findings indicate a functional point of contact – namely, the human need for a mediator between the earthly and the divine realms – while also highlighting fundamental differences in ontological status, epistemological grounding and soteriological scope. Accordingly, Era di Langi’ and Puang Tomanurun Tamboro Langi’ are not treated as ontological equivalents to Christ within their respective systems. This study further argues that, although these Aluk To Dolo concepts may serve as contextual analogies in communicating the Gospel, their use requires a critical and non-syncretistic hermeneutical framework that takes into account the distinctive and exclusivist claims associated with Johannine Christology. Contribution: This research offers a rigorous comparative framework for evaluating functional parallels – without conflating natures – between the cosmological mediators of Aluk To Dolo and the Christology of John 14:6, thereby enriching critical and non-syncretistic efforts of Gospel contextualisation in Toraja. (shrink)

This study examines the shame that drives the rite of confession of guilt and sin in the Toraja tradition and then dialogues with the Christian faith. In this study, a qualitative research method was used with an ethnographic approach. Observations and interviews were conducted with figures who knew the topic. The results show that Toraja people experience collective shame when community members commit moral violations. A sense of shame before others or social shame is felt. However, spiritual shame (...) is an aspect that cannot be ignored. Behind the social violations, there are efforts to interpret the relationship with God (Toraja language, Puang Matua), which needs to be brought back to lead people to repentance. Contribution: This article combines tradition and theology, particularly missional and contextual theology. The results of this study are expected to increase the efforts of each respondent to interpret God in every social violation committed to lead people to repentance. (shrink)