By - Akangjungla
In Nagaland, where faith and culture are deeply intertwined, the Church has long stood as a pillar of moral guidance and community strength. Yet recent debates about truth, both spiritual and social, have raised pressing questions about its role in addressing contemporary challenges. As theologian and philosopher, Augustine of Hippo once said, “The Church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners and truth is the medicine it must never dilute.” This timeless reminder calls us to reflect: Is the Church in Nagaland dispensing this healing truth with courage and clarity?
Truth, as a foundational Christian principle, requires honesty, justice and accountability. Yet, in our society, hesitation from religious leaders on critical issues such as corruption, inequality, political misconduct etc has widened the gap between spiritual teachings and real-world action. The Church must not only proclaim truth but embody it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian popularly known for his opposition to National Socialism quoted, “Truth is not just what the Church teaches; it must be what the Church lives. Without it, we are just another social club with a steeple.”
At the same time, the Church itself must welcome transparency and scrutiny. Congregations rightly expect integrity from their leaders, just as leaders should foster open dialogue within the faith community. A Church that embraces truth fully while admitting its imperfections while striving for righteousness will reclaim its moral authority. The famous Baptist pastor Charles Spurgeon’s caution remains relevant, “The Church’s greatest danger is not persecution from the outside but corruption from within when truth becomes optional.”
Nagaland stands at a crossroads where tradition meets modernity, and the Church holds a vital role in guiding this transition. By upholding truth in word and deed, it can nurture a society rooted in trust, compassion and genuine progress, and become the fearless voices for truth.
There is no denying that, globally, including in Nagaland, over the past decade, the transformative power of the Church has been undermined by internal conflicts, false teachings and toxic competition. Church membership, once a natural expression of faith, has become a source of division, with congregations viewing one another as opponents rather than partners in Christ’s mission. This disintegration betrays the very heart of the gospel. As the New Testament scholar, NT Wright observed, “A divided church cannot preach a united gospel. Truth is not a weapon to attack each other but a foundation to stand together.” When churches prioritise doctrinal disputes over collective witness, they risk conforming to the world’s divisive patterns rather than redeeming them. Today, as Nagaland faces storms of corruption, injustice and identity crises, the Church must be that stabilising force, confronting evil with truth, not each other with accusations.
To call Nagaland a ‘Christian state’ while tolerating ‘division and complacency’ is misleading. The gospel’s core is unity and love; speaking truth in love is the Church’s sacred duty. Evangelical theologian, philosopher and pastor, Francis Schaeffer aptly remarked that, “The moment the Church trades truth for relevance, it loses both.” The path of truth is challenging, but it is the only way to a just and harmonious Nagaland. As RC Sproul, a Christian apologist urged, “The Church must be the pillar of truth not a chameleon that changes with culture.”
Comments can be sent to akangjungla@gmail.com
