Yohanes BM Berteologi Yohanes BM Berteologi
Yohanes Bambang Mulyono
Yohanes Bambang Mulyono—originally known as Tan Hok Gie—was born in the quiet city of Malang, Indonesia, on October 19, 1960. His birth marked more than just the beginning of a new life—it marked the quiet unfolding of a lifelong calling that would eventually shape many lives across generations.
From a young age, his life was shaped by love, learning, and a growing sense of purpose. In 1989, he married Sri Hariyati, his partner in both life and ministry. Together, they built a family grounded in faith, raising three children—Bram Kristofer, Dicky Kristianto, and Inge Kristiani—who later brought them the joy of grandchildren. Each new season in their lives added to a growing legacy of grace, love, and service.
Yohanes began his formal theological education at the Duta Wacana Christian University in Yogyakarta (1981–1986), where he deeply explored the theme of perseverance through suffering, writing a thesis on hupomonē (steadfast endurance) in the Book of Revelation. His desire to seek deeper meaning and understanding continued throughout his life. Many years later, he resumed academic study at Jakarta Theological Seminary (2011–2013), focusing on the theological significance of Transfiguration Sunday—a theme that would later influence his preaching, teaching, and writing in profound ways.
He was ordained as a pastor in the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) on June 7, 1993. His ministry began not with public acclaim or grand ambition, but with a quiet, wholehearted commitment to walk alongside God’s people, to listen with compassion, to serve with humility, and to grow in wisdom and grace. His pastoral journey took him from GKI Blimbing in his hometown of Malang to the urban ministry of GKI Perniagaan in Jakarta, and eventually to a special assignment at Maranatha Christian University under the GKI Synod of West Java. For Yohanes, ministry was never about position or power—it was always about presence. His leadership was relational, grounded in empathy, and shaped by moments of transformation shared with others.
Yohanes also played an important role in shaping the broader Christian community in Indonesia. He chaired regional church boards (Classis) in Madiun and Banyuwangi, led the Theology Commission for GKI East Java, and served on national liturgy and preaching commissions—helping churches across the country engage more thoughtfully with Scripture and worship.
His influence extended internationally as well, through participation in theological forums in Southeast Asia and leadership development programs in places such as Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Hawaii. Everywhere he went, he brought with him the humility and grace of Indonesian Christianity.
As an educator, Yohanes made a lasting impact across various levels of learning, from high school classrooms in Malang to university lecture halls in Jakarta and Bandung. For him, teaching was never just about delivering information; it was about forming lives. His classrooms became spaces where students encountered not only biblical texts, but also their own stories, questions, and callings. He helped others wrestle with faith in ways that were both intellectually honest and spiritually transformative.
More than a pastor or teacher, Yohanes is also a storyteller—a faithful witness to how God moves in both ordinary and extraordinary moments. His voice echoes through more than twenty-five published works, which span generations and disciplines. From early research on social issues like juvenile delinquency to deeply theological books such as Teologi Ketabahan (Theology of Endurance), Merayakan Peristiwa Mesias (Celebrating the Event of the Messiah), and Transformation in Theosis, his writings reflect a rare blend of theological depth and personal insight. Each book is not merely academic—it carries the fragrance of prayer, the weight of experience, and the clarity of conviction.
What makes his work especially unique is its grounding in real life. His theology is not abstract or detached, but lived and embodied. Behind every written word is a life shaped by Scripture, silence, and service. Even his recent publications—God of History and Melampaui Waktu (Beyond Time)—show that his journey has not ended with retirement. Instead, he has entered a deeper phase of spiritual service. For Yohanes, becoming “emeritus” is not about stepping back; it is about leaning in more fully to the mystery of God’s ongoing work. It’s not an end—it’s a deeper continuation of the path.
His voice continues to reach others through his website www.yohanesbm.com, through his books in the hands of readers, and through the lives of the many pastors, students, and spiritual seekers he has mentored. Quietly, faithfully, and deeply, his legacy continues—not just as memory, but as movement.
This is not simply a biography.
It is the story of a calling lived with humility and purpose.
A testimony to grace in action.
A life lived in Christ, to Christ.
