If I were the CM of Delhi...

I would:
1. Catch all stray animals and deport them or keep them in shed/shelter.
2. Fine those who urinate in public.
3. Strictly enforce traffic rules.
4. Ban marriage band procession on main roads.
5. Promote bicycles on Delhi road.
6. Introduce solar energy run street lights.
7. Make the city safe for women.
8. Seal the house of those landlords who charge rent exorbitantly.
9. Plant more trees.
10. Clean Yamuna.

What else…

Women and Ministry 2

1. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. Romans 16:7.

* Junia was a female, and an outstanding apostle. Commenting on Romans 16:7 John Chrysostom (347-407) writes, “ how great the wisdom of this woman must have been that she was even deemed worthy of the title of apostle.” Earlier commentators like Origen (185-253) and Jerome (340-419) also understood Junia to be female.

2. But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head. 1 Corinthians 11:5.

* The context is about head covering. Whether head covering applies today or not is the point for now. The point is that woman then prayed or prophesied. And Paul was writing that if she prays or prophesies she should cover her head. And there is no reason why “prophesying” here cannot be interpreted as “speaking forth God’s message” or “preaching”.

3. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Romans 16:1.

* Being a deacon was not only for men. It was a position held by woman too, and sister Phoebe being one.

To be contd.

Women and Ministry 1

The debate is not whether women can do ministry. The debate is in what capacity can women participate in ministry. Can she be a pastor of a church? Or can she teach only in Sunday school or something like that?

One may like to argue that those individuals who are putting forth a case for opening door wide open for women to minister have been influenced by secular feminist. However, one can reply to the argument by saying that those who opposed have been influenced by their patriarchal tradition. This way of arguing rather ends in a draw, with neither position delivering a knock out punch.

One may also argue that this kind of arguing for women’s right is the reason why divorce and such related cases have increased in number. But this point can be countered by saying that male domination is the reason why there is so much of domestic violence and related crimes. Thus, this way of arguing again ends in a draw.

The right approach then is to go into the biblical text and learn what the Bible really says. As one does that one will notice some biblical texts explicitly teaching women not to teach. One will also come across biblical texts where women taught and were in leadership. Taking these various texts and weaving them together will give a sound interpretation of Scripture for a particular way of understanding women and ministry.

To be contd.

Live-in relationship and its effect

In the locality where I stay number of unmarried couples who stay together is high. It is not only the foreigners who practice such lifestyle, but Indians from all states practice it. The old men and women in the locality have also accepted the lifestyle. Nobody seems to be bothered by such arrangement.

Recently when a young married couple went in search of a place to stay on rent they were advised by the dealer to tell the landlord that they are an unmarried couple. Reason is that married couple generally does not move out quickly. Whereas unmarried couple moves out soon. And unless the tenant moves out the rent cannot be increased. And so with married couple landlord cannot make much money. Hence the advice by the dealer to lie about their marital status.

Point, however, is that society has accepted live-in relationships.

I cannot quite agree with such live-in relationship though it is common. Nobody doubts about such couples being in union sexually. And since this kind of union is the most intimate union between two individuals break up of the relationship later leaves a deep scar in the soul of both the individuals. And the rate of break up is pretty high. (I don’t have statistics but I keep hearing of break up stories.) But if one had not gone so far as to have sexual union the wound heals much quicker. Since those individuals who practice such lifestyle are those who are not in a position to give commitment for marriage, it is infinitely better for them to avoid such live-in arrangement so that if things take a different turn they won’t have to go through painful phase.

There is also other negative effect of this practice. As we come to accept the practice more and more, more and more break up will emerge. And as more and more break up results traditional idea of singleness and family will be diluted. Traditionally there are only singles and married individuals. There is no temporary arrangement as live-in relationship for those who cannot marry immediately. But as such arrangement becomes more and more common more people would like to experiment such sexual union without really having to be responsible enough to establish a home. But apart from damaging the individual does such arrangement damage the society? Well, I would prefer a society where everybody experiences joy and happiness; where people don’t struggle with guilt.

However, I can envision more and more single mothers if such practice becomes so widespread. Looking at the West it is so reasonable to argue that such envisioning is being realistic. I also think we need to learn from the West whether this practice is really healthy for a society or not. And I am sure if one does study one will conclude that single mother raising kids is not an ideal situation ‘specially when failed live-in relationship is the reason for such pattern.

I believe it is because Jesus Christ wants us to avoid such unfortunate situation that he tells us to avoid sexual intimacy before marriage.

The Nagas: God's people?

It was in early 90’s when I first heard that Nagas are God chosen people after Israel. I was young then and I just believed what I was told. Growing up in an environment where ethnic factionalism determines the outcome of politics and social life, to hear such ‘prophetic utterances’ from ‘extremely spiritual people’ was very much assuring. After all when the enemies of the Nagas: Meeteis, Kukis and Indians, have us all surrounded on all sides, to be assured that because we are God’s people He will deliver us all gave us hope even in times of terrible situation.

Somehow the idea that Nagas are God’s people seem to be still very much alive even today. Almost all Nagas are Christians, and therefore it seems reasonable to many people that we occupy a special place in God’s heart. This understanding is very common among those who are in the villages; and it is there even among well educated ones living in towns.

For sometime now I have questioned the source of this prophetic utterances. Whatever be the source, I am absolutely sure that the message is not from the God of the Bible. I am convinced about it because there is nowhere in the Bible that says God loves the Nagas more than the Kukis or Meeteis or Indians. Nor can we derive any such message from reading the Bible, unless we distort the biblical message. Though Nagas (in general!) do not like Meeteis, that does not mean God loves Meeteis less. God of the Bible, in fact, loves us all equally.

To believe that God loves Nagas more because God has chosen the people as second Israel is to have a distorted view of who God is. After all God does not do partiality. And having a distorted view of God is bad. It is also bad because elevating oneself that way results in looking down on the other communities. Finally, it is bad because seeing oneself that way prevents oneself from coming nearer to God by way of repentance.

It is important that Nagas try to construct its own identity as God’s children. Nevertheless, Nagas should not privilege themselves over others (or rather we Nagas should not privilege ourselves over others). Such moves will break God’s heart from whom we Nagas as well as others have been deriving identity.

Death and an old man

An old man, bent double with age and toil, was gathering woods in a forest. Finally he grew so tired that he threw down his woods and cried out, " Oh my! I cannot bear this hard life anymore. I wish Death would come and rescue me from this terrible state!".

Suddenly, Death, a lifeless grisly skeleton appeared and said to him: "What wouldst thou, Mortal? I heard thee call me."

"Please sir," replied the old man, "would you kindly help me in lifting this bundle of woods on to my shoulder?"

Moral of the story: We would often be sorry if our wishes were granted.