Christianity in Indonesia Surges; Healings, Miracles Part of the Reason?

Teresa Neumann : Apr 21, 2010
Hannah Beech - Time Magazine

"More surprising, though, is the boom in Christianity—officially Indonesia's second largest faith and a growing force throughout Asia. Indeed, the number of Asian Christian faithful exploded to 351 million adherents in 2005, up from 101 million in 1970, according to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, based in Washington, D.C."

(Indonesia)—A report in Time Magazine—a secular publication—has recognized the explosive growth of Christianity in Indonesia.

Notes reporter Hannah Beech: "A religious revolution is transforming Indonesia. Part of the spiritual blossoming entails Muslims embracing a more conservative form of faith...More surprising, though, is the boom in Christianity—officially Indonesia's second largest faith and a growing force throughout Asia. Indeed, the number of Asian Christian faithful exploded to 351 million adherents in 2005, up from 101 million in 1970, according to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, based in Washington, D.C." (Photo: TIME by Kemal Jufri / Imaji)

"Much of the growth comes from Pentecostal and evangelical conversions," she adds, "which have spread charismatic Christianity across the globe and are a large reason for estimates that by 2050 a majority of Christians will be living in developing nations. Already, less than a quarter of the world's 600 million Pentecostals reside in the West, where the modern movement has its roots. Indeed, Pentecostalism is believed by some to be the fastest-growing faith in the world, if measured by conversions as opposed to births."

Later in the article, Beech asks what it is about Christianity that has so resonated in Indonesia and comes partly to the conclusion that it must be because the "concept of individual salvation is a powerful one."

After presenting her case for religious "diversity" in Indonesia, the author concludes, "Still, it's hard to ignore the power of a revival like the one held in Temanggung..." Even though organizers had forbidden Muslims from attending the revival, she adds, "among the line of sick and suffering hoping to be healed was an elderly Muslim man who others said was blind. After fervent prayers from worshippers in the driving rain, he suddenly blinked and gazed at the gathered crowd."

"A Muslim who can now see," said Pastor Jason Balompapueng. "It is a miracle."

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