Haokip, Jangkholam Primary Author mixed material bibliography United Kingdom Langham Monographs c2014 monographic en English

Print

xvii, 358 p. ; 23 cm The book is an attempt to respond to a Christian faith in crisis and here’s the story behind it. It was on one of my visits to Manipur in the 1990s that I overheard two villagers conversing with one another about the dangers and vulnerable situations of their lives and villages in the midst of ethnic conflict, sometimes termed ‘identity movements’ , at that time. Having shared his hard realities of life in that situation, one of the villagers said, ‘If God cannot save me and my village, I will make Idols and worship them.’ Hearing that statement, I was deeply disturbed and troubled in my heart for the following reasons; Firstly, it was the voice of someone whose faith in God for safety had reached its climax – if the other group/’enemy’ happen to burn down his village, he will leave God and worship Idols! Secondly, the voice was that of a true evangelical Christian who puts his complete faith in God for everything, including the safety of his village. In other words, it was evangelical faith coming to its climax in that context. Thirdly, the possible denouncement of faith was very real and imminent. The conflict was already going on; the test of faith was very fast approaching. Fourthly, and most disturbing and humiliating, was the fact that I, a pastor and theologian, had no effective response to such hard life situations of the people. There were no easy and read-made answers to the problem. Moreover, the things that I have learned from theological colleges, detached from the indigenous people’s situation, were found lacking in providing support for life in the context in which I found myself. My greatest disappointment at that moment was the fact that before I could go and talk to the two vulnerable villagers, they disappeared from my sight and I have never seen them again. However, although they disappeared from my sight for ever, their conversation about their faith remained a challenge in my heart. How do we make the Christian message relevant in the context of indigenous people’s struggle for identity and liberation? Truth is not truth for you until you have found it to be true! This became an inspiration and a task for me. The book, “Can God Save My Village?” is an outcome of this. The uncomfortable experience of encountering the two simple villagers has led me to write this book. Although they were never to be seen again and I do not know who they were, the book is written for them. At the same time, the book is also for another group in that conflict, preparing the ground for their peaceful coexistence. It is a book for those whose faith in God is stretched to its limits due to challenges. Based on a profound faith in God for all human needs, the book is a humble attempt to converse with those vulnerable followers of Christ, like the Ethiopian Eunuch on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, encouraging their fainting faith to know that Jesus is ALIVE! In order to do this, in this book I argue that the introduction of Christianity by missionaries in North-East India, without ignoring the positive contribution, failed to provide a sound theological foundation for the people of this region in their quest for identity and liberation. I then investigate the struggle for identity among the tribal people of North-East India and more particularly the Kuki people of Manipur. Exploring the social, cultural, religious and political changes brought to the people of this region, I highlight their real struggle for justice and dignity. Outlining aspects of the Kuki tradition, as well as dialoguing with Dalit and tribal theology, I propose possible contributions to a local theology, both biblically and theologically sound, that can help in shaping a new sense of identity and peace for the tribal people of North-East India. Colonization India, Northeastern India-Manipur Christianity and culture Ethnicity--Religious aspects--Christianity Colonization--Religious aspects 275.4179781783689811 Transformatio Library Bandung Theological Seminary 275.417 Hao c 02201800311 Non Fiction 275.417 Hao c can_god_save_my_village.jpg 90204 2018-02-21 11:32:33 2018-02-21 11:50:05 machine generated