A study of revival movement in Chinram of Myanmar and its potential for social transformation in the region

Abstract

This study critically reviewed Christian revivalism in Chinram of Myanmar, its normative and fundamentalist character as well as its social gifts and potentials as a partner in ecumenical efforts to bring about positive changes in Chin society. It is a historical, theological, and missiological study but also extensively employed sociological perspectives in further understanding Christian revivalism in the Chinram context and the latter’s social and cultural features. The study also utilized empirical data on Chin Christian revivalism such as those gathered from personal interviews, journals, newsletters, magazines, websites, personal testimonies and others. From these, the study was able to appraise Christian revivalism in the Chin State in relation to its biblical grounds, historical development, theological characteristics, contextual references, and its missiological thrusts and directions. It concluded with the affirmation that beyond the reactionary face of Christian revivalism is its iiberative potential for Chin Christianity in particular and the Chin society in general. The author called on the Chin churches and the revival movement to maximize their transformative or liberative potential drawn from their inherent revivalism—to be more prophetic: reflective and active in society for the sake of peace, justice, freedom, and of reconciled and healing communities in Chinram.