Development of Local Theology of the Chin (Zomi) of the Assemblies of God (Ag) in Myanmar: a Case Study in Contextualization
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DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL THEOLOGY OF THE CHIN (ZOMI) OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD (AG) IN MYANMAR: A CASE STUDY IN CONTEXTUALIZATION BY DENISE ROSS A thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham For the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM January 2019 This thesis is dedicated firstly to my loving parents Albert and Hilda Ross from whom I got the work ethic required to complete this research. Secondly, I dedicate it to the Chin people who were generous in telling me their stories, so I offer this completed research as a reflection for even greater understanding and growth. Acknowledgements This thesis took many years to produce, and I would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who encouraged and supported me throughout the often painful process. I would like to thank Edmond Tang for his tremendous supervision for several years. He challenged me, above all else, to think. I can never acknowledge or thank him sufficiently for the time and sacrifice he has invested. I would like to thank my supervisor Allan Anderson, who has been so patient and supportive throughout the whole process. I would like to acknowledge him as a pillar of Pentecostal research within the University of Birmingham, UK which has made it an international centre of excellence. It was his own research on contextual theology, especially in mission contexts, which inspired this research. I acknowledge the Chin interviewees and former classmates who willingly shared their time and expertise and their spiritual lives with me. They were so grateful that I chose their people group, so I offer this research back to them, in gratitude. I have been cheered on by many friends too numerous to mention, but I would like to mention especially my friends Jean Perini and Marc Cottrell. Most of all, I thank God, who directed me towards research. Abstract This thesis examines the contextualization of Pentecostal theology, using the Chin (Zomi) of the Assemblies of God (AG) in Myanmar as a case-study. Harvey Cox’s hypothesis that Pentecostals have a propensity to connect with other cultures’ “primal spirituality” and mix with their practices is examined, which he claims has been conducive to Pentecostalism’s rapid global growth. Firstly, Christianity’s introduction to Burma is examined, including the Baptist missionaries who went to Chin state; the American AG missionaries who introduced Pentecostalism to other areas of Burma; the rise to independence of local leadership; the introduction of Pentecostalism to the Chin via locals and the subsequent renewal in Chin state. Three aspects of Chin ecclesiology are selected from Douglas Hayward’s measurement of contextualization: liturgy, songs and theology. These three aspects are investigated using ethnographic methods and the findings are analysed theologically to examine the Chin’s contextualization of theology to their local culture. Chin AG liturgy is analysed to consider the Chin’s relationship to the Trinity, considering its western and primal religious influences especially. Thirty popular Chin AG worship songs are analysed using song-text analysis for their relationship to the Trinity, primal influence and practices or experiences. The Chin’s propensity to syncretise their pneumatology is considered considering their primal religious background as Pentecostal converts. Theological discussion on syncretism and contextualization theory are used as a framework, which is examined for further application in other Pentecostal contexts. Alternative approaches are considered to address the issues surrounding the syncretism controversy in Pentecostalism. Retrospectively, I reflect on the development of my own theological framework in the course of this research. Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO A CASE-STUDY OF CHIN CONTEXTUALIZATION 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………1 1.1. Cox’s Hypothesis………………………………………………………………………….1 1.1.1. How Cox’s Hypothesis Links to the Chin Case-Study…………………………...6 1.1.2. Rationale for Selecting the Term “Primal”……………………………………….7 1.2. The Chin’s Call for Contextualization…………………………………………………….9 1.2.1. A Brief Introduction to the Chin People………………………………………….9 1.2.2. A Brief Introduction of Chin Primal Religion…………………………………..10 1.2.3. Reasons Why the Chin were Selected for a Case-Study of Contextualization….12 1.2.3.1. Similarities between Primal Religion and Christianity……………………..17 1.2.3.2. The Wider Implications of the Chin Case-Study……………………………19 1.3. Definition and Background of the term “Contextualization”…………………………….21 1.3.1. Dangers Associated with Contextualization—Syncretism……………………...22 1.4. Objectives and Questions………………………………………………………………...25 1.5. Expected Outcomes………………………………………………………………………27 1.6. Contribution to Oral Theology…………………………………………………………...28 1.7. Significance of this Research…………………………………………………………….33 1.8. Outline of Methods Used in This Research………………………………………………38 1.9. Outline of Research………………………………………………………………………39 CHAPTER 2 METHODOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES 2. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………...42 2.1. The Theoretical Framework of Contextualization……………………………………….42 2.1.1. How and Why the Term “Contextualization is Used……………………………42 2.1.2. The Theological Motif of Contextualization…………………………………….43 2.1.2.1. Stephen Bevans’ Contextualization Models………………………………...46 2.2. Specific Chin “Contextual” Issues……………………………………………………….49 2.2.1. The Adoption of Christian Identity Using Lewis Rambo’s Model……………...49 2.2.2. Chin Identity Issues……………………………………………………………...52 2.2.2.1. The Chin’s Asian Identity…………………………………………………...52 2.2.2.2. The Chin’s Identity as Myanmar Citizens…………………………………..53 2.2.2.3. The Chin’s Identity as the Chin Ethnic Group……………………………...54 2.2.2.4. The Chin’s Christian Identity……………………………………………….56 2.2.2.5. The Chin’s Pentecostal Identity……………………………………………..56 2.2.3. The Process of Developing Contextual Theology……………………………….57 2.2.4. Syncretism Issues………………………………………………………………..58 2.3. Research Design………………………………………………………………………….60 2.3.1. Use of Ethnographic Methods…………………………………………………...61 2.3.2. Pilot Research and Initial Contacts……………………………………………...62 2.3.3. The Criteria Used for (1) Selecting the Churches to Observe and (2) Gaining Access to these Churches………………………………………………………..64 2.3.4. My Role as Participant Observer………………………………………………..67 2.3.5. Criteria and Role of the Translators……………………………………………..68 2.3.6. Selection of the Interview Samples and Consent of the Interviewees…………..68 2.3.6.1. The Implications for the Demographics of the Interviewees………………..70 v 2.3.7. Song Text Analysis……………………………………………………………...72 2.3.8. Triangulation…………………………………………………………………….75 2.4. Rationale for the Selection of Liturgy, Songs and Theology as a Case-Study of Contextualization of the Chin AG………………………………………………………..75 2.4.1. Liturgy…………………………………………………………………………...75 2.4.2. Songs…………………………………………………………………………….76 2.4.3. Pneumatology……………………………………………………………………76 2.5. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………..76 CHAPTER 3 THE INTRODUCTION TO AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE CHIN 3. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………...78 3.1. The Introduction of Christianity to Burma……………………………………………….78 3.1.1. Nestorians………………………………………………………………………..79 3.1.2. Roman Catholicism……………………………………………………………...80 3.1.3. Anglicans………………………………………………………………………...81 3.1.4. Baptists…………………………………………………………………………..82 3.1.5. Pentecostals……………………………………………………………………...84 3.1.6. Other Denominations……………………………………………………………84 3.1.7. The Introduction of Christianity to the Chin…………………………………….85 3.2. The Baptist Missionaries’ Work among the Chin from 1899……………………………85 3.2.1. The Baptist Missionaries’ Approach to Chin Primal Religion………………….86 3.2.2. The Appeal of Christianity to the Chin………………………………………….88 3.2.3. The Baptist Missionaries’ Approach to Socio-Cultural Issues………………….90 3.3. The AG Missionaries’ Work in Burma from the 1930s to 1966…………………………94 3.3.1. The AG Missionaries’ Strategy………………………………………………….95 3.3.2. A Comparison of the Baptist and AG Missionaries’ Strategies………………..101 3.3.3. The Success of Pentecostalism among those from Primal Religious Backgrounds……………………………………………………………………107 3.3.4. The American AG Missionaries’ Approach to Contextualization……………..107 3.3.4.1. A Lisu’s Perception of the Missionaries’ Approach to Culture…………...109 3.3.5. The Contribution of Local Leaders…………………………………………….110 3.4. The Takeover of the AG by National Leadership 1966-1975…………………………..111 3.4.1. Pentecostalism’s Spread to Other Regions of Burma including Chin State…...115 3.4.2. Pentecostalism’s Contextualization to the Chin………………………………..116 3.5. Spiritual Renewal among the Chin in the 1970s until the Present……………………...117 3.5.1. Baptist Conversions Disputed………………………………………………….119 3.5.2. The Reputation of Pentecostals………………………………………………...120 3.5.3. The Significance of Revival in Spreading Pentecostalism……………………..122 3.6. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………123 CHAPTER 4 A CASE-STUDY IN CHIN CONTEXTUALIZATION: LITURGY 4. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….125 4.1. Contextualization in Chin Pentecostal Liturgy…………………………………………128 4.1.1. Spiritual Encounter……………………………………………………………..128 4.1.2. Communal Worship as a Group………………………………………………..130 4.1.3. Oral Liturgy…………………………………………………………………….131 4.1.4. Chin Liturgy in its Context within Asian Pentecostalism……………………...132 4.1.5. Chin Liturgy as an Indicator of Contextualization……………………………..134 vi 4.2. Method Used to Measure the Contextualization of Chin Liturgy………………………135