Between Heaven and Puya: A Comparative Study of Christian Eschatology and Aluk To Dolo and Its Implications for the Toraja Christian Faith

The concepts of Heaven in Christianity and Puya in Aluk To Dolo represent two important understandings of life after death that continue to influence the worldview of the Torajan people. While the majority of Torajans today identify as Christians, traditional beliefs regarding Puya remain an integral part of cultural memory and social practice. This study aims to compare Christian eschatology and Aluk To Dolo eschatology through an analysis of the concepts of Heaven and Puya and to examine their implications for the faith of Torajan Christians. Employing a qualitative approach based on literature review, comparative theology, and contextual theological reflection, this study analyzes biblical teachings, Christian eschatological thought, and scholarly discussions on Aluk To Dolo. The findings reveal that both traditions share a belief in the continuation of human existence after death and view death as a transition rather than the end of life. However, they differ significantly regarding the basis of salvation, the role of ritual, the concept of resurrection, and the ultimate destiny of humanity. Christian eschatology is centered on salvation through Jesus Christ, bodily resurrection, and the hope of a new heaven and a new earth, whereas Aluk To Dolo emphasizes ritual mediation, ancestral relationships, and the journey of the soul toward Puya. This study further argues that Puya should be understood not merely as a realm of the dead but as part of a broader eschatological system within Aluk To Dolo. The study contributes to the development of contextual theology in Toraja by providing a constructive dialogue between Christian faith and local cultural traditions while maintaining the distinctiveness of Christian eschatological hope.