Praktik Pemanggilan Arwah Orang Mati dalam Tradisi Suku Batak Toba: Tinjauan Teologis Berdasarkan 1 Samuel 28:7

  • Rafael Natanael Universitas Advent Indonesia Bandung
  • Exson Eduaman Pane Universitas Advent Indonesia Bandung
Keywords: 1 Samuel 28:7, batak toba, necromancy, syncretism

Abstract

This research examines the practice of necromancy among the Toba Batak from a theological perspective, specifically based on 1 Samuel 28:7. This practice, although it has long been an integral part of Batak culture, poses serious challenges when confronted with the teachings of the Christian faith. In the present context, there are still Batak Christian communities who practice this ritual as a form of respect for ancestors, even though the Bible explicitly opposes it. This research uses a qualitative method with a literature study approach to trace the roots of this belief, exegetical analysis of 1 Samuel 28:7, and the church's response to this phenomenon. The results show that there is syncretism between Christian teachings and local culture that causes theological confusion among the congregation. This finding indicates the need for a contextualized and educative pastoral approach by the church in guiding people to uphold the Christian faith without completely abandoning their cultural identity. This research emphasizes the importance of churches understanding the local cultural context in conveying doctrine and developing relevant and transformative mission strategies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Appleby, Scott L. (2000). The Ambivalence of the Sacred: Religion, Violence, and Reconciliation. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Arnold, Bill T. (2004). 1 and 2 Samuel” dalam The NIV Application Commentary ed. Terry Muck. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic.

Blareq, Y. K. G., & Purba, M. J. (2024). "Filosofi Mangalap Tondi dalam Budaya Batak Toba." Jurnal Pendidikan Filsafat 19, no. 1:67-81.

Brueggemann, Walter. (1990). First and Second Samuel. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.

Buckland, Raymmond. (2002). Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft . St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications.

Collins, Gary R. (2007). Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Davies, O. (2023). "The Witch of Endor in History and Folklore." Folklore 134, no. 1:69.

Dhavamony. (1995). Fenomenologi Agama. Yogyakarta: Kanisios.

Eliade, Mircea. (1964). Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Fee, Gordon D. (1996). Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God . Peabody: Hendrickson Publisher.

Goldingay, John. (2006). Old Testament Theology: Israel’s Faith . Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

Hasugian, Monika Relly. (2017). "Upacara Kematian Saur Matua Batak Toba: Analisis Tradisi Lisan." Lingua: 225-242.

Heiser, Michael S. (2015). The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible . Bellingham: Lexham Press.

Hess, Richard S. (2007). Israelite Religions: An Archaeological and Biblical Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Gertz, Jan Christian, dkk. (2017). Purwa Pustaka: Eksplorasi ke dalam Kitab-kitab Perjanjian Lama dan Deuterokanonika, diterjemahkan oleh Robert Setio dan Atdi Susanto. Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia.

Kiboko, J. K. (2010). "Divination in 1 Samuel 28 and Beyond: An African Study in the Politics of Translation": 105-107.

Kozok, Uli. (1999). Surat Batak: Sejarah Perkembangan Tulisan Batak . Jakarta: Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia.

Lewis, James R. (1998). The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions (Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1998), 354. Amherst: Prometheus Books.

Ludji, Barnabas. (2009). Pemahaman Dasar Perjanjian Lama: Untuk Studi Kritis, Jilid 1. Bandung: Bina Media Informasi.

Martozet, M., Nurwani, N., & Togatorop, M. R. S. (2021). "Si Gale-Gale Folklore in the Toba Batak Society: A Study of Continuity and Change. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal." BIRCI-Journal 4, no. 3: 576-574.

Simamora, R. M., and N. A. Matondang. (2024). "An Anthro-Pragmatic Approach: Implicatures in the Sacred Mangongkal Holi Ritual of Batak Toba Tradition." INAPRA Conference Proceedings 1, no. 1: 4-5.

Min, Suh Sung. (2001). Injil dan Penyembahan Nenek Moyang . Yogyakarta: Penerbit Media Pressindo.

Onwuegbuzie, Anthony J. (2016). Seven Steps to a Comprehensive Literature Review: A Multimodal and Cultural Approach . Hungtington Beach: SAGE Publications.

Pakpahan, D. D. (2022). "Budaya Batak Toba 'Berziarah Ke Kuburan' Ditinjau Dari Kebenaran Alkitab." JTKI 8, no. 1: 1-10.

Purba, M. (2002). "Adat ni Gondang: Rules and Structure of the Gondang Performance in Pre-Christian Toba Batak Adat Practice." JSTOR 34, no. 1: 122-123.

Schmidt, B. B. (1996). Israel’s Beneficent Dead: Ancestor Cult and Necromancy in Ancient Israelite Religion and Tradition. Eisenbrauns: Penn State University.

Schreiner, L. (2015). Adat dan injil: perjumpaan adat dengan iman Kristen di Tanah Batak. Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia.

Siahaan, Nalom. (1964). Sejarah Kebudayaan Batak. Medan: CV. Napitupulu.

Sihotang, M. (2020). "Penghormatan Kepada Leluhur Dalam Budaya Batak Toba." Jurnal Teologi 4, no. 2: 88-97.

Silaban, D. N., & Herlina. (2022). "Ritual Mangalap Tondi pada Etnik Batak Toba: Kajian Semiotika Budaya." Jurnal Bastaka 5, no. 1: 101-118.

Sirait, A. D., & Hutasoit, M. (2023). "Kajian Dogmatis Terhadap Tradisi Ritual Mangalap Tondi." Jurnal Teologi 51: 44-57.

Sirait, D., Telaimbanua, A. T., & Anggraini, D. (2024). "Patung Sigale-Gale Simbol Penghantar Kematian dan Kekuatan Spiritual dari Tanah Batak." Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia 8, no. 6: 192-198.

Situmorang, Sitor. (2005). Toba Na Sae: Sejarah Sosial Budaya Batak Toba. Jakarta: Pustaka Utama Grafiti.

Stott, John R. W. (2006). The Cross of Christ. Downers Grove: IVP Academic.

Tiarnita, dkk. (2023). "Death Ceremony in Batak Toba: Saur Matua Oral Tradition." International journal of Research and Review 4, no. 12:1849-1851.

Tindaon, R., Simatupang, G. R. L. L., Ganap, V., & Haryono, T. (2016). "Mangandung dalam Perkabungan Masyarakat Batak Toba." Resital: Jurnal Seni Pertunjukkan 17, no. 3: 131-139.

Trumbower, J. A. (2001). Rescue for the Dead: The Posthumous Salvation of Non-Christians in Early Christianity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Voorhoeve, P. (1977). Codices Batacici: A Catalogue of Batak Manuscripts . Leiden: E. J. Brill.

Waltke, Bruce K. (2007). An Old Testament Theology: A Canonical and Thematic Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academics.

__________. (2011). Old Testament Theology: A Thematic Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic.

Published
2025-04-29
How to Cite
Natanael, Rafael, and Exson Pane. “Praktik Pemanggilan Arwah Orang Mati Dalam Tradisi Suku Batak Toba: Tinjauan Teologis Berdasarkan 1 Samuel 28:7”. Jurnal Ilmiah Religiosity Entity Humanity (JIREH) 7, no. 1 (April 29, 2025): 153-166. Accessed September 11, 2025. https://ojs-jireh.org/index.php/jireh/article/view/397.
Abstract viewed = 343 times
PDF downloaded = 176 times