`Christian Engagement in Social Change: The Role of Theological Education' is a collection of reflections from authors from a variety of Indian Christian backgrounds in a context where Christian participation in the public sphere is becoming a great concern. Challenging the perspectives, including those by Christians, which continue to harbor discourses that isolate `religion' from other aspects of life and that have the dangerous potential for leading to `religious' ghettoization, the book brings together resources from different theological fields and perspectives to strengthen the directions that have been already initiated by many Indian Christian thinkers but have still a long way to go in a society like India.

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Part 1
Introducing the Theme and the Book

1. Christian Engagement in Social Change : The Need of the Hour / Muthuraj Swamy, Wilson Paluri and Asish Thomas Koshy

2. Christian Social Engagement : Some Guiding Principles / Richie Varghese

Part 2
Biblical Perspectives

3. Breaking the Power of Silence and Espousing Engagement (Mark 3:1-6) / Asish Thomas Koshy

4. Prophetic Intervention for Social Change : A Study of Prophet Elijah's Intervention in Land Conflict (1 Kings 21) from the Sumi Naga Context / Rachel Katty

5. You are the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14-16) : An Impetus for Christian Social Engagement / Z. Malsawmlien Gangte

6. "The New Commandment" in the Farewell Discourse and Its Implications for Reaching out to the Marginalized Communities / Reji George

7. Paul's Moral and Social Ethics in 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 / Holika

8. Paul's Appeal for Onesimus as a Model for Christian Participation in the Eradication of Female Foeticide in India : A Socio-Rhetorical Approach / Mary Grace

Part 3
Philosophical, Theological and Religious Perspectives

9. Moving beyond the Rhetoric : Plato, Paul and Substantial Social Change / John Jebaseelan

10. Towards a Dialogue of Subjectiveness in the Upsurge of Homosexual Culture / Nicky Sangama

11. Viable Social Philosophy for Religious Commitment towards Social Change / Wilson Paluri

12. Towards an Active Christian Public Engagement in the Context of Hindu(tva) Fundamentalism / Muthuraj Swamy

Part 4
Missiological and Ministry Perspectives

13. Ecological Crisis and Christian Engagement / James Wesly

14. The Role of the Church in Addressing HIV/AIDS in Mizoram / H. Lalnunmawia

15. Missional Engagement of the Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo among Differently Abled Children / Watirenla Jamir

16. The Impact of BPO Work Culture on Indian Family : A Pastoral Response / Saraswati Koirala

17. Issues Faced by Sexual Minorites (LGBT) : Challenges for Pastoral Ministry / Lipoklemla Pongener

18. Caring for the Senior Citizens : Challenges for Christians / Lochumi Ezung

19. Christian Engagement in the Context of Human Trafficking : Perspectives from Christian Education / Nukshijungla

20. Pastoral Care to the Migrant Families Experiencing Loneliness in Mumbai / Marian Susi Dharmaraj

Some Further Readings

Contributors

Index

Dr. Muthuraj Swamy is the Dean of Theology and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at the Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, India. He teaches in the fields of Theology and Religion.

Dr. Wilson Paluri is the Director of Advancement and teaches Religion at the Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, India.

Dr. Asish Thomas Koshy is the Dean of Graduate Studies at the Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, India, where he teaches in the Department of New Testament.