“I Perceive that in Every Way You Are Very Religious” (Acts 17:22): Naga Spirituality and Baptist Mission

Abstract

ABSTRACT Since the second half of the twentieth century, the tension between Western Christian missions and colonialism has been popularly addressed. This eventually led to the assertion that native peoples are passive recipients of the gospel and that Christianization remains a destructive intrusion into native cultures. This article argues for an alternative interpretation by taking the example of early Naga Christianity in Nagaland, India. It closely observes the traditional Naga religious worldview and spirituality and the Baptist articulation of the gospel, which respects and depends upon believers’ baptism. Various aspects of the religious awareness of the Nagas’ indigenous theology are highlighted, along with the Baptist mission and Naga Baptist conversion experience in light of Christian mass conversion stories.