Doing Lu du Theology of Myanmar from the Kachin Perspective: Promoting the role of the Church in Educating and Solidarity with Masha Unawng Toward Self-Determination

Abstract

The primary purpose of this research is to suggest how the Christian Church can restore Freedom, Justice, and Peace in the lives and history of Lu du (Masha Unawng in Jinghpaw Language), the major victims of the socio-cultural and political context of Kachin State. To carry out this research successfully, I will apply the praxis model of doing theology with the contextual approach. This model will be helpful to interpret the socio-political experiences of the peoples in the life of the Church. I will refer to the theological and historically significant of the church in solidarity with the oppressed. By applying the contextual model, I will construct a liberative theological mission of the Church which engages to the socio-cultural and political oppression in Kachin region. The mainstream education of Myanmar is the root cause of socio-cultural and political oppression in Kachin region. But, the Church has failed to extend its mission to engage the current challenges in Kachin region. In this paper, I will mainly cover the following contents: the negative impacts and challenges of the oppressive education in society, teachings and events of the Bible to conscientize Lu du (the oppressed), the Church as major role to realize Kingdom of God in the history of the peoples, critical reading on the role of the churches in Latin America and Minjung Movement, formation of Lu du (peoples) education, new understanding on Missio-Dei as educating and transforming the peoples, proposing new educational activities for the churches, and finally the new presence of the Church in the Kachin region. Through this paper, the Church in the Kachin region will find her new identity in witnessing the Good News of the Kingdom of God in the lives of the peoples.