Queer Pneumatology of Friendship: Holy Spirit as a Solidaristic,Prophetic,and Erotic Friend

Abstract

I argue that while pneumatology (the theological study of the Holy Spirit) lacks a strategically embodied locus like Christology, lived pneumatology among individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations can serve as a site for advancing pneumatological discourse in Indonesia, particularly in developing queer pneumatology. Spiritual narratives surrounding queer pneumatology function as symbols of resistance against heteronormative theology. This study introduces a queer pneumatology rooted in the spiritual experiences of queer individuals within Indonesia’s cultural landscape. Using a grounded research methodology, data from 19 informants were analyzed thematically through the lens of friendship theology as articulated by Sallie McFague, Joas Adiprasetya, and Carter Heyward. In the Indonesian context, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a Holy (Queer) Spirit: a companion fostering resilience, resistance, and relationality amid heteronormativity. The Spirit is simultaneously solidaristic, prophetic, and erotic. I term this theological (de)construction “Queer Pneumatology of Friendship.”

Keywords

Pneumatology queer pneumatology Indonesia theology of friendship sexual theology

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