The book projects the rich heritage of Indian Christianity covering a vast period of
first to the twenty-first century. The author has a meticulous projection in detailing the
historical scenario by selecting and describing the most significant events, the key
figures and developments in the history of the church in India.
An important contribution of this book is that instead of beginning with the so-called
`great traditions'- those of the elite hierarchical, and the professional officialdom of
the church, the author looks at the `little tradition'. This is what he means by the
alternate reading. In this book one will find references to sources that reflect
expressions `from below'. This historiography from below pays attention to the empirical
data drawn from participants in the drama. It acknowledges the complexity of Indian
Christianity and honours the multiple cultural identities of the church in India.
The book is clearly written in a readable style and makes a valuable resource for
teachers and students of church history, and for all those who are interested in learning
about the Indian Church.
Contents
Foreword-1
Foreword-2
Acknowledgements
Historiography
Introduction
1. At the Beginning : Who is Jesus Christ?
2. Foundations : Thomas and the First Christians
3. Golden Era or Dark Age? The Silent Years Until the Portuguese Came
4. And Then the Protestants Came : Pierists, Baptists and Others
5. Christian Identity, Distortions and More
6. Bengali Builders of the Church in the Nineteenth Century
7. North India Builders of the Church in the Nineteenth Century
8. Social/Religious Change in the Nineteenth Century India
9. Reformers and Reforms in the Nineteenth Century India
10. North East India : Here Come the Baptists
11. Struggle for Survival : Competence for Leadership
12. Indian Christianity : Pentecostal, Evangelical and Ecumenical
13. Indian Christianity : Ecumenical, Contextual and Catholic
14. A New Era of World Christianity
15. In Conclusion and Continuation
Bibliography
Index
Scriptures Quoted
Dr. Hedlund is a missiologist, a teacher and a writer. He came to
India in 1974 as a missiologist and a teacher to teach at Union Biblical Seminary,
Yavatmal. Since then, there has been no looking back. He started the Church Growth
Research Centre, and was responsible for initiating the Church Growth Association in
India. At present, Dr. Hedlund is the Director of the MIIS, which is a direct outgrowth of
the Church of Indigenous Origin project, to initiate the study of Indigenous Christianity
as a field for academic research in Indian Universities and Colleges. In 1961, he married
Thea June List. They have two children: Karl and Lisa; seven grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren. The Hedlunds live now in California.
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