This comparative study brings out the differences between the Christian dogma and the
Indian experiences of Christ by Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. Both Vivekananda and
Gandhi encountered Christ in the context of British colonialism in India. The Christ of
the doctrines as presented by the Christian missionaries in a western framework was
unacceptable to them. Instead, they looked upon Christ and Christianity through the lenses
of Advaita Vedanta and Indian Tradition. Their Christ-experience thus emphasised more on
the metaphysical and ethical dimensions, than on any ritualistic and confessional
practices of Christianity. Although, the Christian Church in India may not be able to
accept the views of Vivekananda and Gandhi as it is, still the Church can learn many
lessons from their experiences and enriched by it. This book also provides clues for a
dialogical relationship between Hinduism and Christianity in the present context of India,
from the confrontational attitude of the colonial past.
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Preface
1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.2 The Research Problem
1.3 Significance of the Research
1.4 The Colonial Background and Issues of Hindu-Christian Encounter
1.5 Chapterisation
2. The Making of Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Making of Swami Vivekananda
2.3 The Making of Mahatma Gandhi
2.4 Conclusion
3. The Pre-dominance of Indian Tradition and `Advaita Vedanta' in the Writings of Swami
Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Swami Vivekananda and Indian Tradition
3.3 Mahatma Gandhi and Indian Tradition
3.4 Swami Vivekananda and `Advaita'
3.5 Mahatma Gandhi and `Advaita'
3.6 Conclusion
4. Vivekananda's and Gandhi's View of Christian Tradition, Religions and Christ from
`Advaita Vedantic' Perspective
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Swami Vivekananda and Christian Tradition
4.3 Mahatma Gandhi and Christian Tradition
4.4 Swami Vivekananda and Religion
4.5 Mahatma Gandhi and Religion
4.6 Swami Vivekananda and Christ
4.7 Mahatma Gandhi and Christ
4.8 Conclusion
5. Christ - Experience of Vivekananda and Gandhi as Metaphysical and Ethical
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Differences between Western Christian Epistemology and Indian
`Advaitic' Epistemology
5.3 Metaphysical Dimension of Christ-Experience
5.4 Ethical Dimension of Christ-Experience
5.5 Conclusion
6. Critical Analysis and Observations
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Issues of Comparative Approach
6.3 Comparative Approach of Vivekananda - A Critical Analysis
6.4 Comparative Approach of Gandhi - A Critical Analysis
6.5 Towards Mutual Understanding and Mutual Connection
6.6 Dialogical Process for a Harmonious Multi-religious Context of
India
6.7 Conclusion
7. Conclusion
Bibliography
Dr. P. T. Subrahmanyan obtained his B.D. and M. Th (Religion) from the
Senate of Serampore. He completed his M.A. (Philosophy) with rank from the University of
Kerala. He received his Ph.D (Philosophy) from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.
Currently he is teaching religion and philosophy in India Bible College & Seminary,
Kumbanad, Kerala. He also is a visiting faculty in many theological institutions. He has
authored several articles in leading journals. He is married to Tessy and is blessed with
a daughter, Darsa and a son, Derik.
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