INT-310 - Topic 7 - Essay - Christianity in Other Places

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Apr 3, 2024

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Benchmark—Christianity in Other Places College of Theology: Grand Canyon University INT-310—Christianity in a Global Context Professor: Ryan Shockey February 18, 2024 Jesus People in the Hindu World The Global South’s Christianity is known to be distinct and vigorous, with an expansive assortment of worship styles, rituals, ethnicities, and doctrines. Pentecostalism in Nigeria, for example, of Christianity in the global south. In ‘Kingdom without Borders,’ chapter 8, ‘Jesus’ People in a Hindu World,’ the Apostle Thomas traveled to India and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, and ever since then they have worshipped Him. In our textbook, Kingdom Without Borders, Adeney says, “India is largely unreached when it comes to knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior” (Adeney, 2015). Hindus believe in restitution for their sins, which is done by sacrificing to an angry god. They perform their sacrifices like it was done in the Old Testament. They are taught that there is a command for virtue, and if they disobey the directive, a form of punishment is demanded. This ancient requirement of making amends for offenses coincides with Romans 2:14-15 “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature, do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.” (ESV). Narayan Vaman Tilak is a devoted Christian who appreciates his culture, and he explored how networks unite families. Christianity faces restrictions by the Hindu people groups. Because of those misunderstandings, other Hindus find it hard to understand and recognize Christianity as a religion and claim that they have many misguided judgments (Aghamkar, V). Hindus and Catholics share a triple deity, which is three deities worshiped as one. Catholics base their faith on the Trinity, the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit, whereas the 3 Hindu's confidence is in Brahma, eclipsed by Vishu, and Shiva, the great Goddess. (Brokington, 2016). “Hindus also believe that the effects of actions (karma) become attached to one’s “self” a (atman) and must be stripped away” ( Ryan, T CSP). Considering these actions, some of the outcomes are considered spiritual and are intertwined with the body, and in order to be released from this, you must die. In Christian understanding, Christ has redeemed us/set us free from the outcomes of our sinful conduct, and we only have one life. Therefore, we have been freed from all negative traits of karma. We believe that we have been set free from all the results of a life of sin, and we have but one life. We believe in the Holy Bible, our Holy Scripture, and the Hindus have two separate scriptures, the Sruti and the Smirti, that are the remembered scriptures, and these contain laws and stories, like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Both faiths consider that their scriptures have been divinely inspired and written by men who were inspired and given by their god and contain laws. Unlike the Christians, the Hindus believe that there are many heavens and hell, which are just pathways towards being reborn once their soul (Atman) develops into one with their god. Brahman, (Saul, 2016). Something Christians have in contrast to the Hindu culture is that “the Church has succeeded best when fully

enculturated” ( Harper, 2002). A great way to involve yourself with another culture is to submerge yourself totally in their community and be just like one of them without losing focus on your mission. This will allow you to understand and get to know the people around you. This will allow people to feel comfortable around you, making it much easier for them to listen to what you say. Also, by trying to reach the youth in their communities, the older generation will come around. A great accomplishment of the Hindu church was when they started social gatherings and encouraged the woman. Inter-religious dialogue helped to bring shared enlightenment and correct misunderstandings of the religions involved. Utilizing these dialogue 4 methods, the Christians and Hindus from Sri Lanka got to know each other better and better understood how to help each other. By communicating better, India was in touch with the West, creating revitalization movements within their religion. I pray that we can do this same thing in our churches; we need a revitalization movement that will allow us to reach. Urban areas need direction for the many youths needing help and hope. If we need to find an influence between Christians and Hinduism, we can start with architecture and the arts, and we will see a great representation opportunity there. Some of the most significant differences between the Global South and Global North that make me uncomfortable are the wealth, technology, and resources that the Global North has. Most of the Global South are less developed and financially unstable islands. When they are impacted by climate change, there is not enough money for them to protect themselves. Most of our Global South citizens suffer from poverty. They need protection, and we as Christians can make a big difference in their lives by preaching the Gospel, opening schools, hospitals, and social activities that will prepare them, allow them to care for themselves, and have churches to stand up for them. Some aspects of the Global South that we should emulate are simple and not hard to follow. These churches are carefully emphasizing making their churches more like the historical church. They are committed to absolute truth. They believe in God and hold firmly to the Biblical truth; relativism cannot invade them. They see sin as sin, and the churches hold firmly to Biblical standards. Though the Global North has applied and interpreted the Bible to their likeness, the South is more mature in the faith; they focus more profoundly on the Scripture knowledge and do not dilute the Word of God. A precious lesson to be learned by the Global 5 South churches is their growth. Attendance, even in the poorest of neighborhoods, is well in the thousands. The north has become stagnant in growth. We have much to learn from the churches we established and Pastors we educated in the Word. 6

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