Christianity as Bhakti Marga in the Theology of A.J. Appasamy (original) (raw)
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Chapter on India from John Parratt (ed.), Introduction to Third World Theologies (Cambridge: CUP, 2004)
The Holy Spirit in Mission in India: Indian Contribution to Contemporary Mission Pneumatology
Transformation, 2006
In the late twentieth century, the Western churches rediscovered the truth of the creedal statements that in addition to God the Father and God the Son, there is also God the Spirit. Furthermore Western theologians began to discuss the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit not only in the church and the human heart but also in the world. The Canberra Assembly of the World Council of Churches in 1991 highlighted controversy over the relationship between the mission of the Son and the mission of the Spirit and raised the question of how and where the Spirit is discerned. The Assembly drew attention to the importance of further discussion on the mission of the Spirit and the potential for applying a pneumatological approach to a range of missiological questions. 1 These included: What is the source of the Spirit and the spiritual resources for mission? What is the nature of the Spirit's involvement in history? What is the locus of the Spiritcreation, community or human heart? Can pneumatology help to solve the "christological impasse" in theology of religions? What does theology of the Spirit suggest about identity, community and the nature of Christian unity? Are we dealing with one Spirit or many spirits? What constitutes authentic mission spirituality? 2 Many of the most interesting recent contributions to discussion of mission pneumatology come from theologians who are reflecting on the Holy Spirit within the context of a cultural understanding of spirit and spirits that differs significantly from western frameworks. Indiaa land where there is deep awareness of one universal Spirit and there are also many spiritualitiesoffers outstanding examples of creative thinking on the Spirit from Christian theologians. The purpose of this paper is to explore Indian Christian theology from the perspective of pneumatology to highlight its contribution to international debate.
In this article we are concerned mainly with literature published in India in the field of Indian Christian theology during the past quart<:r century, as defined by the title itself; only passing reference may be made to other related, .Pieces of literature. Further, literature published in .The .Indian JduTnal of Theology .is totally excluded frotn this review, since it is.fuUy dealt with in another article in this symposium.
ABSTRACT This study is based on the observation that large numbers of Oraon tribals in the state of Jharkhand, India are embracing Christianity, and an increasing number of small churches in the region is evidenced. The Oraon new believers, however, lack adequate spiritual nurture, resulting in spiritual stagnancy, a leaning to syncretism, and practice of unhealthy traditions. These traits leave the Oraon churches spiritually impoverished and unsustainable. The study seeks to ascertain appropriate measures to infuse and instill such health and vitality. Chapter one describes the nature of the Oraon people movement first and then places it within its national context. Brief definitions of key terms and concepts underlying this study are included.Similarities with Christward movements around the world, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and Asia are highlighted. Chapter two then describes the process of indigenization of Christianity and the emergence of the indigenous church in India. A brief description of subalterns in India, who have been the predominant population among whom these movements have taken place, provides the foundation for this study targeting the Kurukh people. The chapter concludes by identifying the distinctives of the current Christward movement succinctly as the “third wave.” Chapter three is a detailed sketch of the history, culture, religion, and life in general of the Kurukhar. Their worldview and religious beliefs factoring positive responses to Christ are discussed, and finally suggestions are made to instill health and vitality in theKurukh Christian church. Chapter four discusses the importance of considering contextualization and inculturation of the gospel as an indispensable need to build a healthy and sustainable Kurukh church. Chapter five brings the study to a conclusion by resolving the identified problem through the raising of appropriately trained and equipped Kurukh leaders within their own context to disciple Kurukh believers through contextual Christian religious education.
Understanding Ramanuja from the Christian Perspective
In the early stages of Indian Christian reflection, the task was seen as either refuting the philosophies and practices of Hinduism or translating the Christian faith into the terminology of one of the Hindu philosophical systems. This paper deals with the historical profile of Sri Ramanuja, his philosophy, some of the important topics in his Vedartha Sangraha and finally with the Christian perspective of his teachings.
THE CHRISTOLOGY OF BRAHMABANDHAB UPADHYAY IN THE LIGHT OF ADVAITIC
Introduction FRAMEWORK Indian Christian theology is the result of the contributions of several Indian thinkers and Christian theologians. Brahmabandhab Upadhyay is one of the fascinating figures, was a theologian and a revolutionary creative thinker. He became the pioneer among the Indian Christian theologians who thought in advance to contextualize, indigenize and Indianize the Christian Gospel in the Indian context. 2 This article explores the Christology of Upadhyay in the light of Advaitic framework, which is the foundation of his theological formulation and emerged as an interaction to the socio-political, religio-cultural and philosophical contexts of his time. This article investigates few of Upadhyay's theological assumptions and interpretations to assert his theological and formulation towards his Advaitic Christology for India. There is a brief discussion on his life sketch, the historical contexts of Upadhyay's theological thought, basic presuppositions, influence of natural theology, theological formulation of Advaitic Christology and Upadhyay's Advaitic framework and his conviction of Hindu-Catholicism.