Understanding the Lordship of Christ in Paul towards its Secular, Political and Religious Significance - Christological Foundations for Ecumenical Discourse among the Churches in Mizoram

The present research work while taking into account the social- scientific criticism and socio-political tribal reading, explores the lordship of Christ in Paul's writings in the milieu of world, and attempts to make it clear its secular, political and religious significance for the early Christian community. It highlights how Paul uses the ideological contents of the Roman secular and political terms to present the universal lordship of Christ in order to unite the early Christian community under the oppressive structure of the Greco- Roman Empire. It suggests that the concept of the lordship of Christ seems to be the viable Christological foundations to bring different denominations into Ecumenical discourse to bring about socio- political change in the Mizo community.

Ordained Minister of Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram Synod, Rev. V. L. Krosschhuamawia is currently serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biblical Studies (New Testament) at Aizawl Theological College, Aizawl, Mizoram. He graduated from Govt. Saitual College under North Eastern Hills University (NEHU). He successfully pursued his Bachelor of Divinity from Aizawl Theological College, under Senate of Serampore College (University). After he had experienced pastoral ministry in Shillong and Sakawrdai Pastorate, he served as Chaplain in the Civil Hospital Aizawl for one year and also in the Campus Ministry for two consecutive years. Then, he did Master of Theology from United Theological College, Bangalore under Senate of Serampore College (University).

Through his painstaking study on Pauline churches and a careful analysis of Rom 10:9-13, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Philippians 2:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, and Galatians 3:23-29, Rev. V. L. Krosschhuanmawia has skilfully brought out the significance of the early church's confession on the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the context of Imperial Roman Rule where socio-cultural and religious plurality had threatened the unity of the Christian community. The early church's experience, the book argues, serves as a paradigm for ecumenical discourse in Mizoram where Christian communities are deeply divided on denominational lines as implanted under the aegis of British colonial power. This book indeed gives a persuasive, scholarly and viable response to the need of the church today even globally whose unity and vitality have been challenged not only by denominationalism but also by the forces of materialism, sectarianism and religious fundamentalism.

This book, using a social-scientific criticism and socio-political tribal reading, explores the lordship of Christ in Paul's writings in the milieu of Greco-Roman world, and attempts to make it clear its secular, political and religious significance for the early Christian community. It highlights the Roman social pyramid, where the emperor ruled with the elite group and secured his power through military control at the cost of non-elite group. The ideologies of the divine sanction of the empire, the Emperor cult, Pax Romana, Religio licita justified and legalised warfare, heavy taxes, rents and levies for the sake of peace and security. Consequently, these oppressive ideologies created conflict and division within the community of the Greco-Roman world. In that situation, the concept of kúptoç (lord) was developed to refer to the sovereign authority of the Roman emperor.

I have attempted to bring out how Paul uses Roman secular and political terms in his presentation of the lordship of Christ. He transformed their ideological content to present the universal lordship of Christ over all creatures against the lordship of Caesar. It became the unifying factor of the early Christian community as they confess the same Lord and belong to the Lord of all having a common object of loyalty and eschatological hope.