The Role of Religiosity in Fostering Self-Control Skills among Theological Lecturers in East Java, Indonesia

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46445/ejti.v10i2.1127

Keywords:

Bearing all Things, Patience, Self-Control, Theology Lecturer, Theology of Jesus as Savior

Abstract

Self-control is essential for theology lecturers to manage emotions, behaviors, and impulses effectively while reflecting ethical and spiritual integrity in the learning process. This study examines how theological understanding of love contributes to self-control development among lecturers who affirm Jesus as Savior. Using a mixed approach (quantitative correlation analysis and qualitative thematic analysis), the study identified two main findings. First, a significant relationship (74%) emerged between understanding patience and coping with adversity, suggesting that patience functions as an internal moral framework that strengthens emotional regulation and behavioral resilience. Second, self-control develops through deliberate self-denial, Christ-centered faith as the foundation of emotional stability, and the practice of gratitude that promotes spiritual and psychological well-being. These findings confirm that self-control is not only psychological but also rooted in deep theological formations that equip lecturers to navigate academic pressures, institutional challenges, and interpersonal relationships wisely.

References

(Jos) de Kock, A. (2020). Learning in encounter and spiritual development in stressful times: a reflection from the perspective of protestant evangelical youth ministry practices in Flanders. International Journal of Children’s Spirituality, 25(3–4), 224–237. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364436X.2020.1843008

Agustin, E. A. I., Suparti, H., & Daliman, M. (2025). Spiritual Formation and Character Education: A Module Development for Christian Sunday School Children Based on Galatians 5:22–23. Pharos Journal of Theology, 106(4), 22–23. https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.106.4033

Anderson, L., Loekmono, J. T. L., & Setiawan, A. (2020). Pengaruh Quality Of Life Dan Religiusitas Secara Simultan Terhadap Subjective Well Being Mahasiswa Teologi. Evangelikal: Jurnal Teologi Injili Dan Pembinaan Warga Jemaat, 4(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.46445/ejti.v4i1.194

Andrei, O. (2023). Enhancing religious education through emotional and spiritual intelligence. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 79(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v79i1.7887

Aqmar, S. N. (2025). Influence of Self-control and Religiosity on the Academic Flow of Islamic Education Students at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Education and Ethics, 3(1), 73–88. https://doi.org/10.18196/jiee.v3i1.77

Arikunto, S. (2010). Prosedur Penelitian: Suatu Pendekatan Praktik. Rineka Cipta.

Belaise, C., Fava, G. A., & Marks, I. M. (2005). Alternatives to debriefing and modifications to cognitive behavior therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 74(4). https://doi.org/10.1159/000085144

Cornelius, E. M. (2023). South Africa is in need of God’s Wisdom. Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2023.v9n1.a20

Creswell, J. W. (2016). Research Design: Pendekatan Metode Kualitatif, Kuantitatif, dan Campuran. Pustaka Pelajar.

Daliman, M., & James, J. (2023). The servant of god as a proactive manager: A team service solution model for meeting COVID-19 challenges in Indonesia. Cogent Arts and Humanities, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2023.2225885

French, D. C., Christ, S., Lu, T., & Purwono, U. (2014). Trajectories of Indonesian Adolescents’ Religiosity, Problem Behavior, and Friends’ Religiosity: Covariation and Sequences. Child Development, 85(4), 1634–1646. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12234

Harianto, G. P., Umboh, S. H., Christi, A., Wang, S., Sondopen, D., & Ming, D. (2023). Opus Dei: A Challenge for Church Leadership. Pharos Journal of Theology, 104(2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.104.224

Hidayah, N. (2025). Religiosity, Emotional Intelligence, and Self-Control: A Mediation Analysis in Islamic Higher Education Contexts. Journal An-Nafs: Kajian Penelitian Psikologi, 10(2), 92–107. https://doi.org/10.33367/psi.v10i2.7768

Mastéy, E. (2022). Biblical Aramaic Passive Stems. Aramaic Studies, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1163/17455227-bja10031

Meliala, S. K., & Panjaitan, T. P. T. (2022). Pentingnya Penerapan Etika Teologis dalam Lembaga Pendidikan Teologi. HAGGADAH: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristen, 2(1), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.57069/haggadah.v2i1.18

Ming, D. (2021). Exegesis Integrative Review of Salvation Because The Love Of God Is The Basic of The Church As The Unity of The Body of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22). Journal DIDASKALIA, 3(1), 20–29. https://doi.org/10.33856/didaskalia.v3i1.166

Musenero, S. (2024). The Way of Love: An Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 13:4 -7 and Its Relevance to Church Ministry [Uganda Christian University]. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11951/1382

Novanto, Y., Handoyo, S., & Setiawan, J. L. (2022). The Role of Religiosity, Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Perceived Organizational Support on The Life Satisfaction of Christian Theological Seminary Lecturers in East Java: Meaning of Work as Mediator. Journal of Educational, Health and Community Psychology, 11(2), 227. https://doi.org/10.12928/jehcp.v11i2.23573

Okoh, B. U., & Majimre, S. J. (2025). Agape Love In 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13: Psychological Correlates of Well-Being Among Nigerian People. IGIRIGI: A Multi-Disciplinary Journal of African Studies, 5(4), 85–93. https://www.enyojonal.com.ng/index.php/igirigi/article/view/196

Ottati, D. F. (2014). Learning theological ethics through the Heidelberg Catechism. Acta Theologica, 34, 139–155. https://doi.org/10.4314/actat.v20i1.10S

Preston, T. J., Albanese, B. J., Schmidt, N. B., & Macatee, R. J. (2022). Impact of acute stress on neural indices of positive and negative reinforcement processing in cannabis users. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.

Purnomo, N. (2020). Theological Review of Emotional Intelligence for Educators. Diligentia: Journal of Theology and Christian Education, 2(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.19166/dil.v2i1.2058

Rother, J. F., Seer, M., Stegt, S., & Raupach, T. (2024). Explicit motives and personality characteristics in first year medical students: a multicentre quantitative study using McClellands motive disposition theory. BMC Medical Education, 24(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05717-3

Saragih, K. W., Suhendar, A., Damanik, J., Girsang, R. N., Saragi, S. R., & Ningrum, W. C. (2025). Juvenile Delinquency in the Perspective of Criminology in Indonesia: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal Analytica Islamica, 14(1), 208–218. https://doi.org/10.30829/jai.v14i1.24677

Sasmoko, Indrianti, Y., Karsidi, R., Wuisan, D., & Ruliana, P. (2018). Neuroresearch: Another form of mixed method. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(2.10), 134. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i2.10.10971

Schnitker, S. A., & Emmons, R. A. (2007). Patience as a virtue: Religious and psychological perspectives. In Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 18 (pp. 177–207). BRILL. https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004158511.i-301.69

van de Beek, A. (2013). The spirit of the body of Christ: The Holy Spirit’s indwelling in the church. Acta Theologica, 33(1), 252–265. https://doi.org/10.4314/actat.v33i1.13

Worthen, V. E. (2018). Patience as a development virtue and common therapeutic factor. Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy, 39(1), 9. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/irp/vol39/iss1/9/

Downloads

Published

2026-09-14

How to Cite

Kristiani, A. B., & Ming, D. (2026). The Role of Religiosity in Fostering Self-Control Skills among Theological Lecturers in East Java, Indonesia. Evangelikal: Jurnal Teologi Injili Dan Pembinaan Warga Jemaat, 10(2), 231–246. https://doi.org/10.46445/ejti.v10i2.1127

Issue

Section

Article