The book is an outcome of exploration of two great traditions - the early Christian
traditions and Cultural traditions of Northeast India with a special reference to Mizo
society. The author argued that the church is not just an institution characterized by
rituals and dogmas alone but, the "church is a called out community" doing God's
mission. Having in-depth research, the author argued that the uncritical acceptance of
ecclesiology that these tribal churches are inheriting from the Western church traditions
has resulted in the proliferation of tribal people in line with different denominations.
Also, uncritical rejection of the local cultural traditions has contributed to the
superficial character of the church which failed to respond to peoples' problems. Keeping
the twin problems in view, the author sought to construct a contextual ecclesiology for
tribal Christians, based on the early Christian traditions and Tribal cultural traditions,
by adopting a critical synthesis method.
This contextual ecclesiology will draw resources from both, the early Christian
traditions and Tribal cultural traditions. This new ecclesiology grounded on the teachings
of the Bible is termed as Zawlbuk model of ecclesiology. The author asserts that the
tribal churches should follow this model so as to give them a new identity: as a communion
of the local Christian community; as an egalitarian community; and as a community of
sharing and service.
This landmark research done for the betterment of tribal people critically analyses the
past and present ecclesiology and sketches a blueprint for their future course of action.
Contents
Foreword-I
Foreword-II
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Ecclesiology in Early Christian Traditions
2. Tribal Cultural Tradition with Reference to Mizoram
3. A Critique of the Contemporary Ecclesiology of the Churches in Mizoram
4. A Critical Synthesis of the Ecclesiology in the Early Christian Traditions and Mizo
Cultural Traditions
5. Towards a Tribal Ecclesiology : `Zawlbuk' as a Model of Tribal Ecclesiology
General Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
R. Zolawma hailing from Tlabung town, Mizoram; is an ordained minister
of the Baptist Church of Mizoram. He is an Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and
currently serving as Principal of the Academy of Integrated Christian Studies (AICS).
He underwent a thorough theological training at four prominent theological institutions
of India. He joined the Eastern Theological College for Bachelor of Theology, and
Serampore College for Bachelor of Divinity. However, due to Tribal students' exodus from
Serampore College, he came to the ETC again and completed his BD.
He completed his post graduation in Christian Theology from the United Theological
College and later on earned Doctorate in Theology from the Federated Faculty for Research
in Religion and Culture (FFRRC).
He has contributed numerous articles (in English) in academic books and national
Journals, and have published extensively in Mizo also. He is married to C. Sangi and they
are blessed with two beautiful daughters, Rebecca and Deborah.
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