The book introduces the pre-Christian Zeliangrong Nagas, then, it presents how
Christianity came in contact with the people in the late 19th century and the subsequent
conversion, the first being in 1897. It further discusses the growth of Christianity,
formation of Zeliangrong Baptist Association in 1953 and the formations of various
associations in the 1980's. Then it discusses the interaction of Gospel and the
Zeliangrong culture which continues to exist till now.
The mission works of the Zeliangrong Baptist Associations (ZBAs) were studied and it
argues that the Christian mission today is less-progressive unlike before, because the
culture and the contemporary contexts are not being taken seriously. Therefore, the writer
seeks to provoke the churches, missionaries and Christians in general, to revitalize the
healthy cultural values and integrate them in the mission strategy for a contextually
relevant and effective mission.
Contents
Foreword-I
Foreword-II
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Zeliangrong Nagas and their Land
1.1. Zeliangrong and their habitation
1.2. Socio-political and Cultural life
1.3. Economic life
1.4. Religious belief and practices
1.5. Values highly regarded in Zeliangrong Society
2. The Advent of Christianity to the Zeliangrong Nagas
2.1. Zeliangrong people and Christianity
2.2. Formation of Zeliangrong Baptist Association
2.3. Division of the Zeliangrong Baptist Church Council
2.4. Other Denominational Church Traditions
3. The Encounter/Interaction Between the Zeliangrong Culture and Christianity
3.1. Culture defined
3.2. Relation of Gospel and culture
3.3. Encounter between the Zeliangrong Culture and
Christianity (1897-1953) - Phase 1
3.4. Encounter between the Zeliangrong Culture and
Christianity (1953 - till date) - Phase 2
3.5. Resurgence of traditional elements in Zeliangrong
Christianity
3.6. Cultural continuity among the Zeliangrong Christians
3.7. Third Factor in the interaction of the Zeliangrong
Christianity and culture: Modernization
4. Present Zeliangrong Christianity and Mission : Challenges of Identity
4.1. Richard Niebuhr's Propositions
4.2. Looking at the Present State of Zeliangrong Christians
through Niebuhr's Propositions
4.3. Confused Identity in the face of modernity
4.4. Looking at the Mission of the Zeliangrong Baptist Church
Associations (ZBCAs) through Niebuhr's Propositions
5. Towards a Meaningful Indigenous Zeliangrong Christianity and Relevant Contextual
Mission
5.1. Indigenious Zeliangrong Christianity
5.2. Integration of Christian faith, culture and modernity
5.3. Indigenious Zeliangrong Christian Identity
Conclusion
Appendices
Bibliography
Rampaukube Hekwet is an Assistant Professor of Missiology. He hails
from Ziumi Village, Senapati District of Manipur. He belongs to Zeme tribe of Zeliangrong
Community.
He studied his Bachelor of Theology in 2000 from Trinity Theological College, Dimapur,
Nagaland. He then served the Zeme Baptist Church Council (ZBCC) for two years as a Teacher
cum Hostel Warden at Baptist High School, Peren. Then in 2004, after his Bachelor of
Divinity studies from Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam, he worked as a Youth
Director at Peren Town Baptist Church (PTBC) for three years. In 2009, he finished Master
of Theology from Aizawl Theological College, Aizawl. Then he superintended the Sunday
School Department for a year at PTBC, he also served for a year as a lecturer at the
Southern Asia Christian College, Thenmelpakkam, Chennai. Since 2011 he has been teaching
at the Academy of Integrated Christian Studies (AICS), Aizawl.
He is married to Azaile, and they are blessed with a son and a daughter named
Ituilungbe Hau (Gideon) and Iluneule Hau (Sophia).
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