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Unit X 1 Nationalism and Nation Building

Indian Christian theology emerged in the context of colonial rule and the struggle for independence. Some theologians saw Christianity and nationalism as compatible and called for Christians to actively participate in nation building. K.T. Paul believed Christians could integrate both their Christian and national identities. S.K. George supported Gandhi's non-violence movement as aligned with Christianity. Paul David Devanandan saw God's purpose as for all humanity, and called for Christians to engage in dialogue with other religions like Hinduism to contribute to nation building and social welfare. In general, nation building theologians sought to create a strong national identity and called for Christian participation in the process of nation building, with a focus on liberation and social justice.

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1K views2 pages

Unit X 1 Nationalism and Nation Building

Indian Christian theology emerged in the context of colonial rule and the struggle for independence. Some theologians saw Christianity and nationalism as compatible and called for Christians to actively participate in nation building. K.T. Paul believed Christians could integrate both their Christian and national identities. S.K. George supported Gandhi's non-violence movement as aligned with Christianity. Paul David Devanandan saw God's purpose as for all humanity, and called for Christians to engage in dialogue with other religions like Hinduism to contribute to nation building and social welfare. In general, nation building theologians sought to create a strong national identity and called for Christian participation in the process of nation building, with a focus on liberation and social justice.

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Imsu Atu
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Unit X: Christian Life and Mission

1. Nationalism and Nation Building


Indian Christian theology emerged in the context of colonial rule and the struggle for political
independence and the resulting freedom and the challenge of Nationalism and nation building.
On one hand Indian Christians were inevitable part of colonial rule-to be a Christian meant to
identify with the culture, tradition and ethos of colonial power. On the other hand because of the
western education a group of enlightened Indian Christian theologians gave the clarion call for
Christian participation and engagement in freedom movement and the cause of nation building. It
was a call to shed off their western trapping (both in theology and faith practice) and to actively
participate in the process of nation building (Christians often remained aloof from political
matters).

Some theologians associated with nationalism and nation building:


K. T. Paul a committed political nationalism and theologian saw nationalism as not only Indian
politics but a great social revolution of which politics is a part. His study of bible especially the
OT prophets with their prophetic ministry helped him to comprehend that politics is mere one
aspect of social life. K. T. Paul was convinced of both his Christian identity and national identity
and tried to integrate both without rejecting either one. He insisted that Christians should enter
the mainstream of society and give up the narrow ideas of communal self-protection. He was
convinced that the church was called to be the servant of the nations through its struggle for
creating a just and peaceful community.

S. K. George an ardent supporter of Mahatma Gandhi saw Gandhi’s non-violence movement


based on the Christian message of love and thus supported Gandhi’s movement. He believed that
Indian Christians will have more opportunities in free India rather than enslaved India under the
colonial rule. S. K. George’s idea of nationalism was focused on building of a nation on non-
violence that would ultimately lead to establishment of justice.

Paul David Devanandan recognized that God’s purpose is associated with humanity and the
entire creation. He was motivated by the vision of transforming community and thus the mission
of the church was for the welfare of the whole humanity. He asserts that Christians must engage
in dialogue with other religions (particularly Hinduism) based on social and human values
resulting in nation building, social service and moral purpose of humanity. The purpose of
dialogue was to evolve an Indian theological expression of Christian faith and develop a
theology of Christian participation in nation building.

General concerns of Nation building theologians:


The theologians of Nation building in general seeks to create a strong national identity and calls
for active participation of the Christians in the process of nation building, with the motif of
liberation and social justice.

It deals with the question of secular interpretation of the Christian message and the development
of relevant Christian ideology.

It discerned the shallowness of colonialism and supported positively the freedom movement and
the cause of nation building.
It recognized the importance of Indian cultures and encouraged fellow Christians not to reject
their cultural legacy.

2. Conversion
3. Baptism
4. Pluralism
5. Dialogue

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