The Trouble Within and Without: A Christian Dilemma

A quick observation of our society gives different pictures where confusion abound and to have a certain direction in this dilemma is perhaps through God. Yet, in this dilemma this society also presents us enough opportunities. Though there is a sense of certainty in Christian life. It also offer challenges, sometime some trials seem conspicuously design to let you suffer. Yes, there are an ‘n’ no of questions in a Christian mind particularly the younger generation (which I am conveniently included) which needs an answer and perhaps a logical answer/solution to the question. There is a need for a coherent consistent explanation or argument for those fundamental questions that we face in our daily life. Is modernity opposed to Christian values? Is spiritualism coming to an end or is there a resurgence or revival? With no resistance to the marauding immoral values, the will to fight or vigor has vanished.  This article is just an impression of the dilemma of a professed Christian youth who has questions to be answered.

                                                           

The Search for Relevance

Today, innumerable criticisms are bombarded against the Church, its leadership, its structural foundation and its vision. The Church is continuously responding to the queries posed by the faithful and inquisitive minds yet some explanation remains wanting. The theoretical statement of the Church are simple (love your neighbor, obey your parents, etc.) but the practical aspect of it is hard and frustrating at times. Yes, we all seem to have declared that Christianity has become a cultural norm without any religious or spiritual connotations.  The hope beyond grave and the assurance of eternity and fear of being drifted away as convey and warn by the missionaries has not created much impression among the youth. In this scenario to engage and revitalize the discourse on faith, hope and living Christianity is felt more than ever before. Are we an active Christian or passive Christian?  It seems to me the total shunting of our rich traditional heritage has made this alien culture boring once we have learn to accept it as normal cultural norms in the conduct of everyday human relations. We started to think about the much sought faith or culture as nothing exceptional and the excitement gone. The constructive role of the missionary and the Church planters are duly acknowledged. Their thankless work and sacrifices has bear fruit in many accounts in our society. Yes, even today we still see Christian conscience in action. Yet, the focus on spirituality is slowly giving way to individualism, our interest are diversified and hence no attention to spiritual growth.

The lack of consistent spiritual nurturing especially for youth living/studying outside hometown where Christians are minority is one serious problem. Sunday school is a place where the foundation is build. It gives child a clear direction; define life in the centrality of Christ. But the search for ‘higher education and success’, (not necessarily wisdom as wisdom comes from God) spirituality is exchange for material gain. The once purpose driven youth/life and the belief in the indomitable faith in the God above and in the immortality of the Spirit maybe drifted away in such dilemma. The argument is weighing of values in life with/within the parameters of God. In this process we might have chosen individualism and materialism in exchange of communal living and Spiritualism. The socio-economic standard/condition of the people has improved but the centrality of God in life is shaken and has taken a backseat. Certain foundational spiritual engagement like family worship, pastor’s home visit or evangelist thorough fare has become less frequent and revival in the Church is something unheard of in our Churches today. The losing grip of the members of the Church can give vital clue to the changing nature of a society.

Cultural Imperialism? Cultural Materialism?

The coming of Christianity and the consequent Christianization of the Nagas has impacted the socio-cultural life of the people. The planting of the completely unknown religion which talks of soul have given hope and guarantee life after death and through such socialization our society has completely transformed with little or no traced of traditional heritage. And through the introduction of western educational system the changes we see is tremendous; food and dress habits, institution, health care, music, technology etc. But the real concern is the Church and the spiritual growth of the individuals therein which is said to be losing its luster. Modern ideas and information shape our mindset and education which is perhaps the most effective tools of intellectual advancement has also brought about the realization among the people and has diluted the true spirit of our Christian faith. The notional change of values in our Naga society is heartening.

The joy, wonder and awe of receiving and living in the absolute truth has gave meaning to our lives. But if we fail to differentiate the contradiction of the incompatible truth, the solution to our dilemma may be far and beyond. In this context the Church will remain a cultural symbol and remnant of the past Christian spiritual glory of defeat of evil in our land will be history. The civilization of the barbarian or head hunting people has been completed but the greatest fear now is the Church becoming a symbol of historical attachment rather than spiritual. The search for relevance is confronted/confounded by the test of faith. Is the fall of the Church inevitable? The traditional revivalist is yet to open their account again but the direction we are moving maybe a dangerous trend. The looming divides among the Churches and the definition of life base on the convenience of the context and texts many have difficulty grasping with some of the abstract, intangible notion and of distinction of the Churches which are posited as part of the Christian identity discourse today.

We need to draw the line of resistance based on Biblical truth. The distortion of the Gospel to suit our own interpretation had become the common refrain in the present world. I would not be wrong in saying that today’s Christian are in disillusion, constraint by lack of doctrinal explanation. Knowing the limitation of modernity and globalization the Church need to redefine its vision (redefining in the context of the contemporary) and engage more rigorously than before. The transcendental love of Christ and its purpose is not gone and forgotten. Without Christ in our home, Church and school we might be running a puppet (lifeless) show .The job of the missionaries was not simply planting church but sustaining it, their job long done and accomplished, the task before us is to care and nurture the planted Churches.

The lesson we need to learn and relearn maybe the love of God which is eternal and which will outlive modernity. The social continuity of faith and commitment has to be foster in true spirit with devotion. And the search for truth, logical ending, perfectibility of a person and meaning beyond the realm of human understanding rest only in God. The existential crisis, confusion, chaos in the world is not because of “the absence of God but because of the failure to seek the presence of God.” Christ is more relevant in our life today than yesterday. Let us move out from the shadow by living in conformity with the word of God. Our Churches are engaging, searching for the souls to return, let us reciprocate the favor and get our connection back to God. The love of Jesus that is overarching and encompassing will surely give satisfaction for the souls searching in a hope to find an answer.

And finally, let us admit we are living in a vulnerable, uncertain, hypocritical society; we are damn if we do, and we are damn if we don’t. But the choice finally is ours. In confronting the REALITIES OF LIFE may God richly bless each one.

NB: The above article was published in Chanpao, a quarterly magazine publish by Tangkhul Baptist Church, Delhi. Spring Issue/Jan-April 2016. Pp 33-34