Epistemologi Teologi Religionum: Menginternalisasi Doktrin Soteriologi Dalam Konteks Dialog Antaragama

Abstract

This article is grounded in the reality of religious pluralism in Indonesia, which presents theological challenges for the church, particularly in situating Christian soteriological doctrine within the demands of interfaith dialogue. This study aims to analyze the epistemology of Theology of Religions in the context of interfaith dialogue in Indonesia and to formulate a “Soteriological Epistemic Bridge” model as a dialogical approach that mediates exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism of salvation. The research method employed is a qualitative approach using comparative-critical theology through hermeneutical analysis of theological texts across traditions, combined with a phenomenological approach to religious experience. This study offers the “Soteriological Epistemic Bridge” model, a new construct that mediates between exclusivism, inclusivism, and salvation pluralism without relinquishing the doctrinal identities of each tradition. The research findings indicate that the internalization of soteriology within Theology of Religions does not constitute a reduction of truth but rather an expansion of the epistemic horizon that provides space for authentic and transformative dialogue. The theological implications and pastoral practices of these findings are formulated within the context of Indonesia’s diversity.