Dimapur | November 19 : More than a century ago, American missionaries came to the then Naga Hills and started their mission work – conversion, education and providing medical help. Since then Nagas have been practicing Christianity. However, at present Naga theologians are pondering over whether Christianity has evolved side by side with the Naga culture, or is it still foreign?
On November 19, delegates from different theological colleges of Nagaland assembled at New Life Bible College in Dimapur for the Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA) 10th annual general meet. The delegates discussed the topic: “A Biblical and Theological Concept of Mission in the Context of Nagaland – A call to Renewal”, which was presented by Kansinglung Kamei, lecturer at Withee Bible College, Dimapur.
Kamei cited Christopher King’s quote: “The missionaries were not interested in learning about the Nagas as Nagas”. Supporting that he said Nagas forget to live as Nagas. This is one of the main reasons why Nagas fail to penetrate the gospel among themselves. “Christianity cannot be ‘Naganized’ without making Christ, in a sense a Naga, by clothing Him with Naga traditional signs and symbols, by worshipping Him with Naga songs music and dance. Christianity in Nagaland is not yet rooted in Naga culture.”
In this regard, he said the churches need to build a community of believers who are deeply rooted in Naga culture which would help people realize themselves as Nagas and not following a “foreigner’s religion but a religion that is rooted in one’s own culture”. He opined that missionaries have failed to evangelize because they failed to present the gospel in the context of tribal Nagas.
He also stated that God created Nagas with a unique culture and identity and God expects us (Nagas) to approach him in “the Naga way”.
He quoted Mar Pongener: “…to borrow someone else’s culture and identity in order to approach their God would be tantamount to a criticism of God’s creative abilities”, adding that understanding and blending Naga Culture with Christianity would help Naga Christians to reconstruct their relationship with God.
Earlier, speculating on the churches’ involvement of mission works outside the state and country, Kamei stated: “Doing mission works in other lands is also important but again we need to have concern for our people especially for those living without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”
Reflecting on the present situation in Nagaland, he raised several questions – ‘Why Nagas are still not reached by the gospel? Why there is bloodshed, drug addiction, sexual immorality, corruption in our state? Can we blame the churches or put the blame to more than 40 Bible colleges and training institutions in Nagaland?’
Citing the present Naga political scenario as an example, he stated that Churches need to get involved and not stay “dumb”, adding that “Sleepy shepherds” are best ally to wolves. He said that for sovereignty, Nagas have been divided to many factions which in turn took the lives of many Naga patriots. “Does Christianity approve such killing? If not why churches are silent? If at all sovereignty any state comes. Can we accept secularism or communism? If not why the Churches are silent?”
Theologians expressed their views and raised questions to clear their doubts after Kamei’s presentation. One view given by a contender was Churches need to emphasise more on mission work rather than spending the funds on the appearance of the church. Another contender asked - how can, going back to Naga culture solve our socio-economic problem since Naga culture is deeply rooted to head hunting? In reply to that, Kamei said we should adopt the “Morung lifestyle” - peaceful coexistence and spirit of unity that prevailed in the past, when we look back Nagas lived in a peaceful situation and there was no rampant corruption like how we see today. However, headhunting is something that is not relevant at this age and also it is “not God’s given culture”.
On November 19, delegates from different theological colleges of Nagaland assembled at New Life Bible College in Dimapur for the Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA) 10th annual general meet. The delegates discussed the topic: “A Biblical and Theological Concept of Mission in the Context of Nagaland – A call to Renewal”, which was presented by Kansinglung Kamei, lecturer at Withee Bible College, Dimapur.
Kamei cited Christopher King’s quote: “The missionaries were not interested in learning about the Nagas as Nagas”. Supporting that he said Nagas forget to live as Nagas. This is one of the main reasons why Nagas fail to penetrate the gospel among themselves. “Christianity cannot be ‘Naganized’ without making Christ, in a sense a Naga, by clothing Him with Naga traditional signs and symbols, by worshipping Him with Naga songs music and dance. Christianity in Nagaland is not yet rooted in Naga culture.”
In this regard, he said the churches need to build a community of believers who are deeply rooted in Naga culture which would help people realize themselves as Nagas and not following a “foreigner’s religion but a religion that is rooted in one’s own culture”. He opined that missionaries have failed to evangelize because they failed to present the gospel in the context of tribal Nagas.
He also stated that God created Nagas with a unique culture and identity and God expects us (Nagas) to approach him in “the Naga way”.
He quoted Mar Pongener: “…to borrow someone else’s culture and identity in order to approach their God would be tantamount to a criticism of God’s creative abilities”, adding that understanding and blending Naga Culture with Christianity would help Naga Christians to reconstruct their relationship with God.
Earlier, speculating on the churches’ involvement of mission works outside the state and country, Kamei stated: “Doing mission works in other lands is also important but again we need to have concern for our people especially for those living without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”
Reflecting on the present situation in Nagaland, he raised several questions – ‘Why Nagas are still not reached by the gospel? Why there is bloodshed, drug addiction, sexual immorality, corruption in our state? Can we blame the churches or put the blame to more than 40 Bible colleges and training institutions in Nagaland?’
Citing the present Naga political scenario as an example, he stated that Churches need to get involved and not stay “dumb”, adding that “Sleepy shepherds” are best ally to wolves. He said that for sovereignty, Nagas have been divided to many factions which in turn took the lives of many Naga patriots. “Does Christianity approve such killing? If not why churches are silent? If at all sovereignty any state comes. Can we accept secularism or communism? If not why the Churches are silent?”
Theologians expressed their views and raised questions to clear their doubts after Kamei’s presentation. One view given by a contender was Churches need to emphasise more on mission work rather than spending the funds on the appearance of the church. Another contender asked - how can, going back to Naga culture solve our socio-economic problem since Naga culture is deeply rooted to head hunting? In reply to that, Kamei said we should adopt the “Morung lifestyle” - peaceful coexistence and spirit of unity that prevailed in the past, when we look back Nagas lived in a peaceful situation and there was no rampant corruption like how we see today. However, headhunting is something that is not relevant at this age and also it is “not God’s given culture”.
