A PERSONAL View on the Issue of Homosexuality

I am Mar Imsong, Pastor at First Baptist Church of Bedford, MA.  I am originally from Nagaland, of northeast India. I attended Jerusalem Council on April 2nd at FBC, Westwood, MA. Dr. Kate Harvey asked me send an email of my sharing in the meeting.  When American Baptist missionaries introduced the Gospel in 1872 Naga people grew from headhunters to soul hunters. Turning to Jesus brings deliverance, restoration and transformation, and mission. Considering the spiritual journey of the Naga the proclamation of the Gospel delivered the Nagas from sin (sin of separation, fear and inter tribal rivalry). The dramatic growth of the church in Nagaland which now is largely Christian and largely Baptist has been supported all trough the years by American Baptists. When India forced foreign missionaries to leave the area in 1956, Naga became orphans spiritually.  But, because the missionaries had built up the native leaders, Naga Baptists took up the responsibility to be self-governing, self-perpetuating, self-supporting and self-theologizing. A distinctive Naga Baptist so much different from American Baptist has evolved in Nagaland. We are what we are today because of what our missionaries have done. God not only delivered us but also restored and transformed us by bringing modern education, a better way of living, and development. It is because of these reasons Naga Christian still consider American Baptist as their “Spiritual Parent.”

Sin for Naga Christians was living a life of fear and inter-tribal warfare. People lived in fear, separated from one another, contesting and attacking one another.  Self-righteousness was their spirituality and religion.  But When Naga people become Christians Naga concept of community life was expressed and realized in a much wider concept.  Not only sin but also salvation for Naga Christians was communitarian.  You can be saved only in relationships. American Baptist Missionary came and taught from the Bible and said to our forefather if you do not believe in Jesus Christ you are sinners and you will go to Hell! But if you believe in Jesus and get baptized you will go to heaven of eternal joy and you will be saved.  Theological sound! Very much of a Baptist faith!  But you know what response those villagers in Nagaland gave to the missionary. We would rather go to hell because all of our people and love one are there in Hell.  Heaven will be a better place when both liberal and conservative Baptists are there together, singing at the top of our voice! A community of faith is important.

Naga concept of community life fitted very well with the biblical view of KOINONIA or Communion. Salvation becomes relevant to them only when the whole community become Christians.  That is one of the reasons why there was mass conversion among the Nagas. When Naga Christians celebrate communion whether one is a liberal or conservatives, politician or a businessman, freedom fighters or a Christian minister, rich or poor we all comes together as one Body in Jesus Christ.  In the same way the sharing of the fellowships is extended to the Christian especially to the American Baptist Churches (their spiritual parent). Naga Baptist Christian has evolved in very distinctive way.  Christian theology and ministry is contextualized and indigenized in a very unique way.  Theologically, Naga Baptist and American Baptist are different. Political theology of the Christians in Nagaland is very liberal and progressive because of the ongoing political unrest with the Indians and other human rights violation. But morally, Naga Christians are very conservatives and differ a lot from the American Baptist. But no Naga Christian will ever deny having fellowships or communion with the American Baptist. Naga Christians are aware that they have major differences in theology from the American Baptist.  Naga Christians consider such theological differences to contexts such as social, political, cultural and economics. Can we limit fellowships and communion to an only select few?  Do we have to confine our communion to a limited geographical location?  Is it not true that in Christ there is not Greek or Jew no Naga or American? (II Corinthians 12:12-13)

As I see two issues being discussed in Jerusalem Council namely, homosexuality and fellowships (I prefer to called KOINONIA from where the idea of Lord Supper and Communion is develop Mark 14: 22-25; I Corinthians 11: 23-26).  Personally, a minister who is shaped by Naga culture and spirituality I feel that it is OK to have differences in our belief on the issue of homosexuality. Difference in one very specific moral issue should not be the determining factor to have fellowship with one another. A person who have come from a third world where the major issues are political instability, honesty and justice in society, economic and cultural exploitations including malnutrition, basic medical necessity etc, I find it very difficult for me to understand the moral issue of homosexuality.  I am some time suspicious that we are creating certain issue for us to be preoccupied so that the “real” issues and problem will be diverted.  I feel that there are more serious issues for American Baptist ministers to be engaging then the issues of homosexuality.  What do you think about the financial crisis of International Ministry, even with the possibility of calling back few dedicated missionary that we have in the overseas.  What about the empty Church pews at 10:00 O’clock on Sunday morning but overflowing people in the ethnic churches in the afternoon on the same Sunday?  Do you think that these are some of the issues because we have divided loyalties between affirming and welcoming and conservatives churches?  I do not think so! What prevents you from having communion with fellow Baptist who holds different views on the issues of homosexuality? Is it really a question of sin?

Was it not God who initiated communion with Moses for the first time in Mt. Sinai? Do you think that God’s holiness and majesty was compromised because of a violent and short-tempered nature of Moses’ sin?  God holiness was never compromise while having face-to-face communion with Moses (Exodus 33: 9-11). You do not need to compromise your piety and holiness in order to have communion with fellow Baptist.  We will be better Baptists only when we relate with one another. “De-fellowships” is not one of the Baptist tenets. Rather, Scripture, Soul Liberty and experience of the Holy Spirit are the Baptist tenets that bind us together.   I do not think that I have the wisdom and knowledge to change the sharp division that we have nurtured.  But I will be very sad and the whole Naga Christians will be sad if their spiritual parent churches are divided and cut off their association with one another because of the issue of homosexuality. Can we not continue our dialogue with all openness, without any criteria for dialogue but allowing the Holy Spirit to discern our decision and faith formation?  Can we not suggest and compliment one another to have a fair and genuine dialogue with one another and also with God? Can we give a chance to the Holy Spirit not our personal faith and intelligence!  May God Bless the American Baptist.  Amen