Dr. E. Renphamo Lotha
Baptist Theological Scholar
Introduction
It may be recalled that the Nagaland Baptist Church Council with members drawn from twenty Church Associations have just recently celebrated the Platinum Jubilee from 19th to 22nd April, 2012 with much fun-fare and enthusiasm. During and after which various Baptist scholars and intellectuals from across the State have made critical analysis about the manner in which it was celebrated for future correction and guidance. According to them, the Church Council has made several mistakes and deviations from the foundation of Baptist faith and practices which attracted healthy criticisms for future rectifications. Such exercise is considered and need of the hour as the Council has attained Platinum year who is supposed to have become matured in all aspects of Church life. Among such healthy criticisms, the following are the major points to be pondered upon:
1. Deviation of doctrine of separation of the Church and State
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council originated from the American Baptist Church tradition who held dear the doctrine of the separation of the Church and State. They believed that the Church is derived from the Greek word, Ek kalio meaning ‘called out’. They have been called out from the world of sin and death for a holy purpose. That was to be a living witness of the mighty works of God to those in need of salvation (1Pet.2:9).
Whereas, the State was an organ of the State Government administration in the Secular world. In brief, the Church is “ecclesiastical” whereas, the State was “secular cosmos” which included the Central Government headed by the President in the Centre and Governor in the State with their respective council of ministers to advise them. In short, the ‘State’ has been contemplated under Article 12 of the Indian Constitution. Hence, they are altogether separate bodies but not one body at all. The Church however is commanded to be subject to the human Governments, and Civil rulers as ordained by God (Mt. 22:21;1 Pet.2: 13-17).
During the medieval period of history, there was the practice of Divine kingship wherein the king assumed the role of the State. But in the latter part of the nineteenth century, the king and the priest become separate bodies. The king became the secular ruler under the Constitution and the priest became the divine minister of the word of God under the Bible. Now, we are already in the beginning of the twenty first century where the separation between the Church and the State have become fully operational.
In the recent Platinum celebration of the Nagaland Baptist Church council, it has become apparent that the divine Kingship of the medieval period has been revived. The Church council instead of going forward has gone backward by several hundred years. Such doubtful action has been questioned critically by all right thinking Baptist theological scholars and intellectuals. They termed the Jubilee as “State sponsored programme” rather than “Church sponsored programme” Let us maintain the distinct character of East and West and their distinct principles.
2. Inauguration and Dedication of Jubilee Hall
The Oxford Dictionary defined ‘inauguration’ and ‘Dedication’ having the same meaning which created confusion. In the context of the celebration of the Jubilee, the Council has used the terms in different ways. Inauguration of the Jubilee hall was conducted by the Chief Minister of the State which should have been done by the most appropriate Church functionary of Nagaland Baptist Church council, Council of Baptist Churches in North East India, Indian Baptist Union, Asian Baptist Federation, World Baptist Alliance. Secular Chief Ministers and Prime Minister have their own respective platforms such as the State Assembly and the Parliament which follow their respective Parliamentary procedures.
Meanwhile, the Church follows their own rules regulations and procedures based on the Bible as their guide. The ceremonies of the secular world and the Church differ to a great extent. Such distinction exist both in the Church and the State not to be mixed up to become another Babel in Nagaland.
3. Speakers, Resource persons of the Jubilee
All the speakers and resource persons of the Jubilee were drawn from foreign countries. Accordingly, they have delivered foreign messages and speeches irrelevant to the local Naga population. Instead, some dynamic speakers from the Nagaland Churches could have been included who would have delivered relevant and contextual messages and speeches to the hungry and thirty souls as they prefer Naga dishes rather than foreign dishes. In doing so, the misguided and lukewarm Christians would have turned into living witnesses by becoming mighty instruments of God’s kingdom to turn the world of the Nagas upside down.
4. Lack of spiritual foods
Every sensible Christian known for sure that there is a spiritual vacuum in the State. In this context, spiritual foods are considered badly necessary. But unfortunately, except material foods, spiritual foods such as Bible study, Devotion, Prayer, Fasting and Thanksgiving were missing from the celebration. It is considered necessary to point out that the Baptist Christians lay prime importance in the Bible as demonstrated by Jesus Christ in the story of temptation recorded in Matthew 4:1-11.
5. Lack of the unity of the Church Associations
The various programmes, items, presentations during the Jubilee exhibited lack of unity, cooperation and coordination among the twenty Church Associations and their leaders in spirit and in truth. The Bible however lays great importance in the unity and joy in Christ (1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:1-3).
6. Financial extravagance with lack of Stewardship
Huge sum of money running into several crores were spent lavishly from unknown source of income without any budget from the Church Associations and the Council except the nominal members fee of rupees twenty from every Baptist member which would not come up to one Crore of rupees. There was no detailed financial report at the end of the Jubilee celebration which lacked stewardship of money and contribution in kind.
It may be recalled that all the prophets especially the eight century prophets in the Old Testament and Jesus Christ in the New Testament were deadly against such extravagance and lack of stewardship. Instead of such extravagance for just one event, such huge amount would have been set aside for worldwide mission and evangelism which is the supreme task of the Church as recorded in Acts 1:8; Mt. 28:10-20.
7. Commercialization of Sunday
The 22nd April, 2012 (Sunday) became a day of trade and commerce which was a stumbling block to ever right thinking Christian. In fact, the Council insists to keep the Sunday by setting aside Sunday for worship and prayer. The Council should walk the talk. It may be recalled that Jesus Christ demonstrated his righteous anger with those who defiled the temple of Jerusalem by worshipping money rather than the living God.
8. Celebration in the Capital playground
90 percent of the supposed to be participants were deprived of due to distance, cost of transportation etcetera. Only 10 percent of participants attended the Jubilee consisting the rich and powerful with enough conveyance facilities. Celebration in the capital playground would have attracted at least 50,000 participants instead of 8,000 participants including non believers to observe the mighty works of God in the land within Seventy five years of the Church history. So that some of them may be attracted to become believers in Christ. Even tourists visiting the State may be benefited in various ways to have positive attitude toward the Naga Christians. In the United States of America, events like Jubilee, evangelistic crusades and even Church services are conducted in public stadiums.
9. No reservation of seats for Very Important Persons
It is to be noted that in the eyes of God all human beings are equal. There is no distinction between high and low, poor and rich, black and white. But unfortunately, the Council has made reservation of seats for very important persons during the Jubilee which was in gross violation of the principle as enunciated in Galatians 3:28. Instead of such partition between equal human beings, it would be more acceptable to apply the principle of “First come, first serve”.
10. Wrong highlights of the twenty Church Associations
The highlights of the twenty Church Associations became more or less cultural shows and fashion shows with half naked dresses. On the contrary, they would have focused on the following points: (i) Origin, (ii) Church growth, (iii) Activities undertaken, (iv) Existing departments (v) Future vision, (vi) Mission (vii) Programmes.
11. Convenors of Committees
They should have been manned by prominent Church leaders from around Kohima Town Churches rather than Government Officials with rich financial resources thereby deprived involvement of church leaders in the Jubilee celebration. This also alienated the common Christians in participating the celebration.
12. Lack of spiritual songs and music
Instead of rock, jazz, pop music and songs, spiritual songs, music would have been more appropriate to give thanks to God for the mighty works of God in the land within One hundred and forty years of Christianity and Seventy five years of the life of the Council.
Conclusion
Dear readers, believers, leaders of the Church and societal leaders, let us be pure Baptist Christians in faith, doctrine and practice. Let us not secularize spiritual events in our events management. Let us not use the platform of God for worldly purpose. Instead, let us use our respective platforms appropriately in the future.
Let us give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to Him. Let us not mix up East and West to confuse the coming generations. So that the world will know that the Nagas are educated, civilized, enlightened with One hundred and forty history of Christianity and Seventy five years of the life of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council who are mature enough in all fronts. Let us not commit those serious mistakes in the future. So that by the time we celebrate Centennial Jubilee in the near future, we shall be fully refined in word and in deed as Baptists with full maturity in the eyes of God and the world.
