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It gives me immense pleas- ure in writing this editorial for ‘Niyog 2021’, the annual
publication of New Theological College, Dehradun.
We rejoice in the grace of God that enabled us to bring you our Annual, Niyog 2021 with its wonderful collection of reflec- tions, articles, poems and artwork on this year’s theme, “God is our refuge” (Psalm 46:1), especially in a time such as today . This publication would not have been pos- sible without the prayers and support from our founders, leaders and members of the NTC community, prayer-partners and well- wishers . On behalf of the Niyog Committee 2020-2021, I would like to express our deep appreciation and sincere thanks for all who toiled behind our efforts and stood with us .
We are indeed passing through an unprecedented time . The Slovenian phi- losopher Slavoj Zizek informed us to think about ‘new normal’ because things are no longer to be the same, as we take the hard and long road to normalcy . Our present situation, according to scholars and thinkers, is just the tip of an iceberg of converging global crises such as catastro- phes, climate crises, floods, droughts and earthquakes . As Vandana Shiva rightly ob- served, “Human greed, with no respect for the right of other species or even for our fellow human being, is at the root of this pandemic and future pandemics .”
There is an excessive fear gripping the global community today, and the media is filled with warnings of “no panic .” But it feeds us with data that cannot help but trig- ger panic (Zizek) . COVID-19, which height- ened this unprecedented time, is a “small epiphany of the hydra (many headed serpent in Greek mythology), the neo-empire, which is yet to be made fully visible” (Y . T . Vina-
yaraj) .
In this world of neo-empire, relentlessly endorsing its ‘necropo-
litics’ (Achille Mbembe), which incar- cerates, assassinates and extinguishes its rebels–promoting, respecting and protecting life is the most difficult thing . This indeed creates untold vistas of fear . Amidst such fears, to where can we run, except to Him who said “I am your shield”? (Genesis 15:1 and Psalm 46:1) .
The first historical pandemic is the flood recorded in the Bible during the time of Noah . This pandemic was initiated by the cumulative effects of unholy rela- tionships, violent lifestyle and evil imagi- nations of a distorted humanity . But God saved Noah and his family, even though they had to go through the pandemic and wait for God’s timing . Remaining in the ark for a year and ten days, Noah and his family were protected along with all liv- ing creatures in the ark, designed by God . They were promised life and its fruitful- ness with all the provisions and protec- tion as they moved from the pandemic to new vistas of life . Similarly, Christ’s life in us and life in abundance is the promise of God (John 10:10) to all those who trust in Him . May God help all of us to experience His protection, because He is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble .
We believe that this edition of Niyog will inspire you to discern the Lord, the ultimate refuge, who is in the process of creating a new world, a safe place, flowing with justice, equality and brotherhood . It is time for us to cry and pray “Let your king- dom come .” Maranatha, Lord Jesus! n
From the Editor: A special thanks to our 2021 Niyog Committee of Simon Samuel, Craig Reynolds, Uppu Jagadeesh, George Oommen, Jacob Varghese, P . V . Joseph, Sooraj Pal, Tarun Misra, Sharon Anderson, Alan Philip Sam, Karen Masih .
Niyog Editorial
by Rev. Dr. Biju Chacko, Coordinator of Publications, NTC
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