Hans A. Harmakaputra, "Christian-Muslim Relations in Post-Reformation Indonesia: Resistance, Identity and Belonging" (Edinburgh UP, 2026)
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In this episode of New Books in Southeast Asian Studies, host Byung Ho Choi interviews Dr. Hans Harmakaputra about his groundbreaking 2026 monograph, *Christian-Muslim Relations in Post-Reformation Indonesia: Resistance, Identity and Belonging*, published by Edinburgh University Press. The book examines the evolving dynamics of Christian-Muslim relations in Indonesia following the 1998 Reformasi, a period marked by the collapse of Suharto’s New Order regime and the rise of conservative Islamic voices. Drawing on extensive fieldwork, including interviews and case studies, Harmakaputra challenges the assumption that Indonesian Christians are passive minorities, instead highlighting their active forms of resistance—ranging from public worship protests to interfaith dialogue and creative peacebuilding. Key case studies include the Yasmin Church controversy in Bogor, the Ahok blasphemy trial, the 2016 MUI fatwa on non-Muslim symbols, and post-conflict reconciliation efforts in Maluku. The discussion reveals how religious identity, political change, and social belonging are deeply intertwined in Indonesia’s pluralistic yet tense landscape. Harmakaputra emphasizes the importance of centering minority perspectives in interreligious scholarship and calls for deeper engagement with subtle, nonviolent forms of resistance in global Christian contexts. The episode concludes with insights into Harmakaputra’s future projects, including a forthcoming book on Christians in Jakarta and a comparative theology work on Jesus Christ from Muslim and Christian Indonesian perspectives. The conversation underscores the book’s significance for scholars of world Christianity, interreligious studies, and Southeast Asian politics, offering a nuanced, lived-experience-driven account of faith, resistance, and belonging in one of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nations. The host expresses deep appreciation for the depth and personal resonance of Harmakaputra’s scholarship, which bridges academic rigor with moral urgency.
Indonesian Christians are not passive minorities but actively resist marginalization through creative, nonviolent forms of resistance such as public worship, dialogue, and peacebuilding.
The post-Reformation era (post-1998) has enabled conservative Islamic voices to gain political influence through regional Sharia regulations and populist mobilization, reshaping religious pluralism.
Key events like the Ahok blasphemy case and the Yasmin Church struggle reveal how religion, politics, and identity intersect in Indonesia, often amplifying tensions but also inspiring solidarity.
Interfaith initiatives in post-conflict Maluku—such as Peace Provocators and the Interfaith Gathering—demonstrate how grassroots religious leadership can prevent violence and foster reconciliation.
The 2016 MUI fatwa on non-Muslim symbols, while directed at Muslims, provoked deep anxiety among Christians and highlighted theological and political tensions around religious identity.
…and 1 more takeaway available in PodZeus
Audience Survey & Podcast Introduction
The episode begins with a brief promotional segment for the New Books Network’s 2026 audience survey, encouraging listeners to participate in shaping the network’s future. The host, Byung Ho Choi, introduces the podcast’s mission to explore world Christianity through underrepresented voices, particularly in the Global South.
Introduction to the Book and Author
The host introduces Dr. Hans Harmakaputra, assistant professor at Agustana University, and provides an overview of his new monograph. The book examines Christian-Muslim relations in post-Reformation Indonesia, focusing on how Indonesian Christians resist conservative Islamic trends through identity formation and active engagement.
Author's Background and Motivation
Harmakaputra shares his personal journey as an Indonesian Christian, his academic training at Harvard and Boston College, and the formative influence of mentors like Joas Adiprasetya and Mahmud Ayub. He explains that the book stems from personal curiosity, lived experience, and a desire to challenge the myth of Christian passivity.
Defining 'Indonesian Islam' and the Post-Reformation Shift
The host and guest clarify key terms: Pancasila as Indonesia’s pluralistic state ideology, the New Order regime (1966–1998), and the Reformation (1998). Harmakaputra explains how conservative Islamic voices grew post-1998 due to democratic freedoms, leading to demands for Sharia law and increased religious tensions.
Pancasila and the Politics of Religious Pluralism
The discussion focuses on Pancasila’s role in balancing religious pluralism and state ideology. Harmakaputra explains the historical debate over including the 'seven words' (Sharia obligation) in the Jakarta Charter, and how the New Order suppressed political Islam, creating a vacuum that post-Reformation conservatism filled.
“Our goal is not merely obtaining the permit. Our goal is to worship in peace forever in this city. But churches present should bring peace to its member and people in society alike. How can we live in peace but our neighbors do not?”
“Christians are not unbelievers because in the Quran, The Quran separates the two terms.”
“Ahok's case reminded them that despite seemingly much progress in the nation, religious minorities were still vulnerable. Mainly... minorities were the ones who should tolerate and endure various forms of discrimination and injustices.”
Host
Guest
Ahok
person
Yasmin Church
other
Hans Harmakaputra
person
Pancasila
other
Maluku
place
Byung Ho Choi
person
Reformation (Indonesia)
other
Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)
organization
Gereja Protestan Maluku
organization
New Books Network
organization
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