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From head-hunters to church plantersPray for the Naga churchesFROM HEADHUNTERS TO CHURCH PLANTERS The Sino-Tibetan tribes of North East India (Assam) have proved over time to have been among the most responsive people groups to the Christian gospel. The Nagas and the Mizos (their southern neighbours) have both developed missionary sending churches. The author, relying on earlier accounts (there is a useful Bibliography, but unfortunately no map to show how the Nagas and their neighbours relate to India and Burma), tells the history of the initial evangelisation of each of the 13 different Nagaland tribes one by one, which is inevitably repetitive. It then tells how the Nagas helped the British against the Japanese invading Burma, and yet how the British and the United Nations alike turned a blind eye when the Indian government sent in troops to suppress the Naga independence movement in 1957. Extraordinary deliveranceThere follow horrific stories of Indian army brutality during the India-Naga War towards both men and women, mingled with extraordinary stories of miraculous deliverances. After a period of half a century one cannot but wonder whether some measure of exaggeration has entered into the oral transmission from generation to generation. Following these years of suffering, the churches enjoyed a period of revival, including stories of signs and wonders. The fact that the revival involved deep conviction and repentance of sin, is evidence of its genuineness as truly from God. No questions?Opposition to the revival resulted in a church split and, in 1961, to the formation of the Nagaland Christian Revival Church. The author unfortunately uses this as an opportunity to rebuke those, both inside and outside China, who questioned the veracity of some of the stories in the book The Heavenly Man (p.77). Christian believers of all varieties believe in the sovereignty of God to intervene on behalf of his people, but are called to test prophecies and stories, accepting what is good and rejecting what seems dubious or even false. We may have some questions in our minds about journalists who make it their business to seek out sensational stories and publicise them. If these truly glorify God, we may rejoice, but if they raise questions in the readers’ minds, they leave an unpleasant taste. However, that said, we cannot but rejoice in the wonder of the Lord building his church among the tribes of Assam (86.5% professing Christian) and sending them out to evangelise in their own and neighbouring countries, and to pray for even more lasting fruit from their labours. The book finishes soberly, comparing the Naga church situation now with the Welsh revival, and the subsequent falling away of so many Welsh churches from vital religion. The Naga churches today have been weakened by urbanisation, alcoholism, drug addiction and backsliding. We need to pray for faithful Bible teaching in the power of the Holy Spirit that will quicken the Naga churches, and make them a continuing blessing to the whole of India, and all their neighbours. Michael Griffiths, © Evangelicals Now - December 2006 |