In these present times of searching for meaning and purpose, a truthful assessment on the historical relationship and experiences of the institutionalized religion – as it exist in Naga society – with people is required, in order to re-establish the empirical fact that no religious institution can exist independent of the people. Failure to be rooted in the people would only limit its role. The self-realization of this fact is essential because any theology should be alive to the needs of the people and needs be able to empower them to create meaning and purpose in their existence.
As a nation in which most of the Nagas have come to embrace the Christian faith, at least statistically, it is vital that after almost 135 years of Christianity, Nagas need to evolve a theology that responds to their realities and enables them to become what God created them to become. Since the people are the Church and the Church ought to be the collective representation of a living faith, it is imperative for Naga Churches to make the gospel relevant and living to the people so that there is a consciousness that their everyday endeavor is God’s endeavors too.
Generally speaking, Christianity as it is practiced today amongst the Nagas has entered into unchartered space in which it has come to reflect and represent societal values and customs, rather than the Christian faith. It will not be wrong to say that Nagas are suffering from civil religion. This civil religion is eating away the teaching of Christ and the communion, which is the basis of all human fellowship. It is also responsible for dichotomizing the Church into people and institution, and is invariably is moving further away from the people.
Within these realities, the need for a Naga theology is acute and imperative. It requires a theology that returns to the teachings of Christ so that it frees the Naga people from all that would make it less than what Christ himself wants the Nagas to be – to be fully human and as free as Jesus showed himself to be. A Naga theology is essential to give meaning for prophetic existence of Naga Churches in the lives of the people. History demands that Naga Churches: Arise in wholeness out of love, love for ourselves, love for humanity and love for God.
