Spiritual Leadership and Moral Accountability: A Theological-Biblical Response to Corruption in Indonesia

Authors

  • Setio Dharma Kusuma Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Tabernakel Indonesia Surabaya
  • Onesiporus Pengharapan Lase STT Tabernakel Indonesia, Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59002/jtp.v5i2.177

Keywords:

Spiritual leadership, moral accountability, corruption, biblical theology, Christian education

Abstract

The corruption crisis that afflicts Indonesian society is not merely a legal or governmental issue, but also reflects a profound spiritual crisis. This article examines the integration between spiritual leadership and moral accountability as a biblical response to the phenomenon of corruption. Employing a qualitative approach through theological literature study, the research interprets 1 Samuel 2:12–36 to trace the roots of leadership failure in the sons of Eli as an example of moral deviation and the loss of spiritual responsibility. The findings indicate that corruption arises from the disintegration between faith and morality, as well as the misuse of authority that ought to be oriented toward service. This study reveals that genuine spiritual leadership, rooted in the fear of the Lord and biblical integrity, stands as the antithesis of corrupt practices. The implications highlight the central role of the church and Christian educational institutions in shaping accountable leadership through character formation and transformative spirituality.

References

Adejuwon, Ezekiel Adekunle. 2023. “Christian Ethical Expectations in Leadership.” International Journal of Culture and Religious Studies 4: 39–51. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2381-2293.

Arifianto, Yonatan Alex, Elisa Nimbo Sumual, and Yohana Fajar Rahayu. 2025. “Pendidikan Kristen Dan Moralitas Di Dunia Digital:” MANTHANO: Jurnal Pendidikan Kristen 4(1): 20–31. doi:10.55967/manthano.v4i1.83.

Asamoah-Gyadu, J. K. 2022. “Integrity and Accountability in African Pentecostal Leadership.” Journal of Pentecostal Theology 31(2): 105–119.

Banks, Robert J, and Bernice M Ledbetter. 2004. Reviewing Leadership (Engaging Culture): A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches. Baker Academic.

Blackaby, Henry T, and Richard Blackaby. 2011. Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda. B&H Publishing Group.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 2012. Ethics. Simon and Schuster.

Brueggemann, Walter. 2012. First and Second Samuel. Westminster John Knox Press.

Clawson, J. G., & Emmons, J. E. 2021. “The Power of Accountability in Faith-Based Leadership: Lessons from Organizational Ethics.” Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership 11(1): 75–90.

Creswell, John W, and J David Creswell. 2017. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage publications.

Danandjaja, James. 2014. 0 Antropologi Indonesia Metode Penelitian Kepustakaan. Jakarta: Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia. doi:10.7454/ai.v0i52.3318.

Djajadi, Soewieto. 2023. “Mereduksi Perilaku Dan Budaya Koruptif: Upaya Pembentukan Karakter Anti Korupsi Dalam Perspektif Etis Teologi.” Manna Rafflesia 10(1): 194–205.

Fry, Louis W, and Melanie P Cohen. 2009. “Spiritual Leadership as a Paradigm for Organizational Transformation and Recovery from Extended Work Hours Cultures.” Journal of business ethics 84(Suppl 2): 265–78.

Gule, Yosefo. 2022. “A Theological-Ethical Study of Church Against Corruption.” Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Science 2(2): 1910–20.

Infopublik. 2024. “KPK Tangani 2.730 Perkara Korupsi Pada 2020–2024, Fokus Lima Sektor Utama.” Kementerian Komunikasi dan Informatika Republik Indonesia. https://infopublik.id/kategori/nasional-politik-hukum/895488/kpk-tangani-2-730-perkara-korupsi-pada-2020-2024-fokus-lima-sektor-utama?utm.

International, Transparency. 2024. “Corruption Perceptions Index 2024: Indonesia.” Transparency International the Global Coalition Against Corruption. https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/indonesia.

Kia, A Dan, M Th, Gilbert Timothy Majesty, and M Th. 2025. Buku Konstruksi Pendidikan Agama Kristen Di Era Disrupsi. Penerbit Widina.

Kretzschmar, Louise. 2023. “A Christian Ethical Analysis of the Importance of Prophetic Leadership for Sustainable Leadership.” Verbum et Ecclesia 44(1): 2685.

Lase, Onesiporus Pengharapan. 2025. “Experiential Learning: Dari Pengetahuan Kognitif Menuju Iman Konkret Dalam Pendidikan Agama Kristen.” DOREA: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Kristiani 3(2): 116–29.

Lase, Onesiporus Pengharapan, and Stevanus Parinussa. 2025. “Restoring Self-Image in the Light of Imago Dei for Addictive Substance Abusers in the Contemporary Era.” Proskuneo: Journal of Theology 2(1): 25–39. doi:https://doi.org/10.53674/pjt.v2i1.256.

Maulidi, Ach, Muhammad Wisnu Girindratama, Bonnie Soeherman, and Fidelis Arastyo Andono. 2024. “Organizational Culture, Power Distance and Corruption: The Mediating Role of Religiosity.” The Indonesian Accounting Review 14(2): 203–21.

Maxwell, John C. 2018. Developing the Leader within You 2.0. HarperCollins Leadership.

Mzondi, Abraham Modisa Mkhondo. 2023. “Looking Back: Theological Reflections on the Intersection between Pentecostalism and Ubuntu within the African Section of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa.” Religions 14(10): 1274.

Nggebu, Sostenis. 2021. “Korupsi Dalam Sorotan Etika Kristen Dan Implikasinya Bagi Pendidikan Anti Korupsi.” Didache: Journal of Christian Education 2(1): 20.

Nouwen, Henri J M. 1999. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. St Pauls BYB.

Osmer, Richard R. 2008. Practical Theology: An Introduction. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.

Ricoeur, Paul. 1976. Interpretation Theory: Discourse and the Surplus of Meaning. TCU press.

Rini, Wahju Astjarjo, Yonatan Alex Arifianto, and Carolina Etnasari Anjaya. 2024. “Membangun Pemimpin Kristen Berintegritas: Menerapkan Nilai Dan Moralitas Alkitab Untuk Menghindari Banalitas Dalam Kepemimpinan.” EDULEAD: Journal of Christian Education and Leadership 5(1): 73–82.

Rope, Thian, Stefanus Sujatmoko, and Juan Carlos. 2023. “Relevance Of Christian Ethics In Addressing Corruption And Social Justice Issues In Indonesia.” International Journal of Education and Literature 2(2): 1–13.

Roshady, Mohammad Ezha Fachriza, and Satrio Adjie Wibowo. 2024. “Exploring the Role of Religious Leaders and Religious Organizations in Combating Corruption in Indonesia.” Jurnal Sosiologi Reflektif 18(2): 447–70.

Tsumura, David Toshio. 2007. The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.

Vivian, Elvan, Andreas Eko Nugroho, and Kornelius Rulli Jonathans. 2024. “Pemikiran Teologis Galatia 5: 16 Dalam Perspektif Spiritual Leadership Sebagai Solusi Pencegahan Kejatuhan Moral Pemimpin Rohani.” Jurnal Teologi Cultivation 8(2): 407–26.

Watch, Indonesia Corruption. 2024. “Laporan Hasil Pemantauan Tren Korupsi Tahun 2024.” Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW). https://www.antikorupsi.org/sites/default/files/dokumen/Laporan Hasil Pemantauan Tren Korupsi Tahun 2024.pdf?utm.

Published

28-02-2026 — Updated on 02-03-2026

Versions

How to Cite

Kusuma, S. D., & Lase, O. P. (2026). Spiritual Leadership and Moral Accountability: A Theological-Biblical Response to Corruption in Indonesia. Jurnal Teologi Pambelum, 5(2), 237–255. https://doi.org/10.59002/jtp.v5i2.177 (Original work published February 28, 2026)

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.