Temanggung, Yogyakarta: This Novel Exposes the Dilapidated Leadership System in the Charismatic Church
Mikael Rinto interviewed Arie Saptaji about his creative process in writing Temanggung, Yogyakarta , the third novel in Temanggung Trilogy. What are the main challenges in writing Temanggung, Yogyakarta ? This novel is set in the life and ministry of a charismatic church. Now, the charismatic church, especially at the beginning of its appearance in Indonesia, is considered strange, and even heretical, by the mainstream church. Even Christians find it strange, what about people who are not Christians? So, the challenge is how to make this novel understandable and digestible by a wide audience of readers. I devote quite a few pages to describing leadership practices and systems in charismatic churches. For my fellow readers who have been involved in charismatic churches (especially those who used to be at the same church with me), I imagine this part can make them experience déjà vu, smile, smirk a little while enjoying our nostalgic moments. For my fellow readers who h...