A BOOK REVIEW

Sugirtharajah.R.S. and Hargreaves. Cecil, Readings in

Indian Christian Theology

Sugirtharajah.R.S and Hargreaves. Cecil, Readings in Indian Christian Theology, volume- 1,

   Delhi, ISPCK, 1997.

Paperback

ISBN: 81-7214-139-4

Pages: 261

Price- 60/-

God is in every context where the human being lives on the face of the earth as Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:19 “that God has manifests Himself to everyone”. Since there is different context therefore the Christian mission is always contextual mission. Without analyzing the context of other one may find difficult to communicate, therefore it is very essential to understand other context to effective communication. India is rich in its context of theology, Every time the message about Jesus Christ encounters the Indian people in their own contexts, there

Indian theology is being created.  Therefore the authors R.S. Sugirtharajah( is lecture in third world theologies at Selly Oak colleges.Birminggham,and was formarly on the staff of Tamilnadu Theological Seminary,Madurai and of Serampore College.) and Cecil Hargreaves,(is a former vice-principal of Bishop’s College,Calcutta,and subsequently general secretary of the conference of British Missionary Societies), have brought some insight to the Indian believers.

This book is a collection from different articles which speak about the theological context of Indian theologians, it contain 4 part (1) Method and ways of doing theology, (2) Indian Christian understanding of Jesus Christ,(3) People stories and their theologies,(4)Indian Biblical hermeneutics. This research starting with the method and the ways of doing theology in Indian context for the effective Christian mission, in the midst of various theological understanding, then it provides the stories of the different theologian who experienced Jesus Christ in their personal life and they want to express their own understanding about Jesus Christ. some of notable saying is to be noted: Sadu sundar Singh  says (after giving an Illustration) “Indians do need the water of life, but not in the European cup”.Vengal Chacckaria “We should receive the immortal Christ as the Universal sprit of love and truth (sat, chit,and Anand) and not as a separated individual” P.Chenchia “Jesus is a cosmic fact a cosmic fact can reveal its full meaning only in a cosmic context”. In this book often I found there is some contradiction understanding of the Christian doctrine of different theologians, but they all are  exposing it in a  way of Indian context that every Indian believers have no any object to accept their teaching on Christian faith

This book is focused to relate the Biblical truth in to the Indian belief and to evangelize the Indian through Indian theological context. It would have to be better if some practical way of evangelize because most of the Indian are unaware of the theology, moreover the era changing in to the post modernism most Indian does not have the theological understanding even of their own context. However this book is relevant to Christian mission in India and it will give much understanding of Indian belief. I recommended this book to the Indian mission worker and theological student it will be helpful to know more about Indian faith.    

A Book Review

James. Emmanuel E, Asian concept of Salvation, Bangalore, Theological Book Trust (TBT),

 2009,

Paperback

Pages: 214,

ISBN- 81-7475-061-4.

The word salvation has very much authority in all religions, every religion is hoping for a better future, Bible speaks very clearly in Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none Other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”.

In Asia there is more influence of growing religious, as there is various religion interact. Those religions present a multidimensional challenge with one another at multiple levels. Every religion claim to have salvation in its own way of understanding. They claim that they can achieve eternal life through their own available way. In this context of pluralism understanding Emmanuel E. James (served as the first director of Asian Institute of Theology, Bangalore. He is currently the chief editor of TBT and visiting professor at the ACTS) has brought some of new insights on this book.”

This book is a collection of different articles which speaks mainly the concept of salvation in every religion in the pluralistic world view. It contains twelve chapters each chapter deals with different religion doctrinal view especially of the their view of salvation. This book is starting with inclusive and exclusive claim of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The concept of salvation differs, in short as the author mentioned here, from religions in which the Christian doctrine of salvation focuses on how Jesus Christ saves people from their sins, reconciling them with the triune God whereas Hinduism teaches that humans are caught in a cycle of death and rebirth. It is devoted to the attainment of moksha, meaning liberation which is a state of oneness with Brahma. Jainism emphasizes penance and asceticism meant to lead to liberation and ascendance of the soul, while Buddhism is devoted primarily liberation from suffering, ignorance, rebirth and attaining a state of Nirvana. Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name the Sat naam. Islamic doctrine of salvation focuses on how humans can repent of and atone for their sins so that they not end up in hell. The author also has brought the concept of the salvation of the Chinese religions such as Taoism and Confucianism.

When I go throughout this book it gives one of the main points that of world views and attitudes of the people to the world. Every religions and every people has an expectation of the good life, yet to be come in the next world. They all look for something better somewhere in the future. It is really a matter of overcoming this existence in anticipation of that future that drives one to strive for salvation. The author’s main purpose of writing this book is to show that the differences between Christianity and all other religions is that in Christianity salvation is a free gift of God. The uniqueness is Jesus who is always available to all who believe. In all other religions salvation is through human efforts.  This book is a product of good effort, but it would have been better if the author could provide little more notions on how to build bridge between Christian and other faith. However this book is relevant to the Christian minister especially in India and the entire theological student. I recommend this book to all of the Christian especially in the India.

Further Reading

The Concept of Salvation

God's Plan