The Church and Politics of Early 20th Centuries in Minahasa

Abstract

This study aims to explain the presence of the Indische Kerk (church) of the Dutch colonial government in Minahasa, identify the problems faced by the Indische Kerk and efforts to address them in Minahasa, and analyze politics and political education in Minahasa, as well as the impact of colonial politics on the process of church ministry in Minahasa. This study employs both the structural method of Lloyd (1978) and the explanation of the fact theory of Tilly (1978). Research and discussion revealed that the presence of the Indische Kerk in Minahasa is connected to the rule of the Dutch colonial administration following the bankruptcy of the VOC trade partnership on December 31, 1799. Consequently, NZG cannot refinance its work in Minahasa. The Dutch colonial administration utilized the church door, the Indische Kerk, to exert control over the Minahasa people. However, some Minahasa-educated individuals who comprehended the politics of the Dutch colonial administration and who collaborated with the Indische Kerk to control the Minahasa people opposed the colonial church's engagement in establishing an autonomous church in Minahasa.

Keywords

• church
• politics
• xix century
• early xx century
• minahasa