In this book, the author attempts to re-construe an Indian ecclesiology vis-a-vis the
narrowly defined ideals of Hindu nationalism in contemporary India by analyzing and
investigating the ecclesiological thoughts of Martin Luther, the 16th century Protestant
Reformer. The book brilliantly places the teachings of the Reformer within `the social and
historical travails of that time and brings them to bear on the ongoing constructive task
of living into a relevant and appropriate Indian ecclesiology (and thereby, Indian
Christian theology) today'.In this process, it is being maintained that the Indian Church
must transform itself into a "Perichoretic Communion", in which the diverse
Christian ethnic groups and the plurality of cultures of India must interpenetrate in
order to form one unit, while keeping their respective ethnic, linguistic and cultural
identities intact. The author draws his insights from Luther's fundamental theological/
ecclesiological principle: unity of the opposites or distinction and integration, and
passionately proposes that it must be the principle of the Indian Church today. This
theological writing presents an important and pioneering opus. It clearly focuses on
contemporary contextual issues, concerns and challenges, and offers insights of general
validity, not only for the Indian world but also from a global perspective. It is a timely
volume and is well advised for the worldwide Church and the public at large.
Contents
List of Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Preface
Foreword
1. Introduction
2. Hindu Nationalism in Contemporary India
3. Emergent Image of the Church
4. Ecclesia in Martin Luther's Thought
5. A Critique of Luther's Thoughts on the Church
6. Church - The Perichoretic Communion of the People of God
7. Conclusion
Select Bibliography
List of Scriptural References
Index of Subjects
Index of Authors
Rev. Dr. R. Sahayadhas is an ordained minister of the India
Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC). Currently he is Professor, teaching systematic
theology at the United Theological College, Bangalore. Prof. Sahayadhas affirms himself as
an ecclesial person with a deeprooted passion and commitment for the mission/ministry of
the Church, especially in India. He has come to academia after having a long stint of
pastoral experience to his credit. What is the relationship between ecclesia and academia?
With the emergence of Enlightenment rationalism, there was an attempt to thrust religion
within the limits of reason and a good number of theologians developed a kind of
scepticism with regard to the ability of ecclesia to stand rational scrutiny. But Prof.
Sahayadhas iterates not only the indispensable inter-connection but also their
inter-dependence. This volume represents his passion to be a genuine bridge-builder or
interlocutor between ecclesia and academia. He can best be caricatured as a `Middle-Path'
theologian. He is the recipient of Dr. Frank Collision Award (2012) for the best published
article by an Indian theologian entitled: "Religion-State Relationship: Significance
of a Middle-Path in Contemporary India". Prof. Sahayadhas is married to J. Usha, a
High School Teacher, teaching Tamil language, and they are blessed with a son, Benil
Sahayadhas, who is studying in the 11th grade now.
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