7.

Subject: Indian Christian Theology:

Topic: Choose ANY ONE Indian Christian Theologian who has
inspired you. List his/her theological contributions. Analyze and
critique his/her theology from your present context/background.
Attempt to reformulate his/her theological articulations,
according to the need of your contemporary
parish/congregation/church and society at large.

Subject: Reimagining Indian Christian Theology for

Contemporary Context
Indian Christian Theologian: Dr. S. J. Samartha (1920-2001)
Dr. S. J. Samartha was a prominent Indian Christian theologian
known for his contributions to interfaith dialogue, contextual
theology, and social justice. His theological insights remain
relevant today, but there's room for reimagining his ideas to
address the specific needs of our contemporary parish,
congregation, church, and society.
Theological Contributions of Dr. S. J. Samartha:
Interfaith Dialogue: Samartha emphasized the importance of
dialogue between different faith traditions. He believed that
such dialogue could lead to mutual understanding, respect, and
cooperation. His efforts helped bridge the gap between
Christianity and other religions in India.
Contextual Theology: Samartha advocated for contextual
theology that engages with the cultural, social, and religious
realities of India. He urged theologians to reinterpret Christian
doctrines in ways that resonate with the Indian context,
enabling the faith to be relevant and accessible to people's
lives.
Social Justice: Samartha's theology was deeply rooted in social
justice concerns. He emphasized the responsibility of
Christians to address issues of poverty, inequality, and injustice.
He believed that Christianity should actively contribute to the
betterment of society.
Critique and Reformation of Samartha's Theology: While
Samartha's theological contributions are commendable, there
are aspects that could benefit from reformation to suit our
contemporary needs:
Diversity within Christianity: While Samartha's focus was on
interfaith dialogue, we must also recognize the diversity within
Christianity itself. Our contemporary context includes various
denominations, theological perspectives, and cultural
backgrounds. Reformation should involve fostering unity and
dialogue among Christian groups while also engaging with
other religions.
Digital Age Engagement: In today's digital age, our parish and
congregation are heavily influenced by technology and online
platforms. Reimagining Samartha's ideas would involve utilizing
digital spaces for interfaith dialogue and theological
discussions, ensuring that our faith engages with the modern
modes of communication.
Evolving Social Issues: The social justice landscape has
evolved since Samartha's time. Reformation should encompass
a broader range of social issues, such as environmental
concerns, mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and
technological ethics. Our theology should address these
contemporary challenges with a compassionate and informed
perspective.
Youth Engagement: To engage with the younger generation,
our reformation should focus on making theology more
accessible and relatable. This could involve using multimedia,
interactive workshops, and practical initiatives that align with
Samartha's commitment to social justice and contextual
relevance.
Cultural Sensitivity: While contextual theology is essential, it
should be approached with sensitivity to the diverse cultures
within our congregation. Reimagining Samartha's contextual
theology should involve a deep understanding of local cultures
and traditions while conveying the universal message of Christ.
In conclusion, Dr. S. J. Samartha's contributions to Indian
Christian theology provide a strong foundation for engagement,
dialogue, and social justice advocacy. However, reimagining his
theology for our contemporary context involves addressing the
diversity within Christianity, leveraging digital platforms,
engaging with evolving social issues, focusing on youth, and
ensuring cultural sensitivity. By doing so, we can make his
insights even more impactful in today's world.

One notable figure is Veliyankode Umar Qasim, also known as

V. U. Qasim. He was a theologian, philosopher, and educator
from Kerala, India.
V. U. Qasim was born in 1926 and was a prominent voice in the
Indian Christian theological landscape. He sought to bridge the
gap between Christianity and Indian culture, advocating for a
contextualized theology that resonated with the cultural and
religious diversity of India.
Qasim emphasized the importance of understanding
Christianity from an Indian perspective, taking into account the
rich religious and philosophical traditions of the country. He
believed that Christianity should be seen as an integral part of
Indian society, rather than as a foreign import.
His work revolved around contextual theology, interfaith
dialogue, and social justice. He argued that Indian Christians
should engage with Hindu, Muslim, and other religious
traditions in meaningful ways, finding common ground and
fostering mutual respect.
Qasim's writings often touched on issues of caste
discrimination, poverty, and human rights. He challenged the
Indian Christian community to actively address these issues
and work towards a more just and equitable society.
One of his significant contributions was co-founding the Indian
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (ISPCK) in 1942.
This organization played a crucial role in promoting contextual
theology, interfaith dialogue, and social justice in India.
In summary, V. U. Qasim stands as an inspirational Indian
Christian theologian who advocated for a contextualized
approach to theology, emphasizing the importance of
integrating Christianity with the cultural and religious fabric of
India. His dedication to interfaith dialogue and social justice
continues to inspire scholars and practitioners alike.

Indian Christian Theologian: Fr. Michael Amaladoss, S.J.

Theological Contributions: Fr. Michael Amaladoss is a
prominent Indian Christian theologian known for his significant
contributions to inculturation theology and inter-religious
dialogue. His work bridges the gap between Western Christian
theology and the rich cultural and religious diversity of India.
Some of his key theological contributions include:
Inculturation Theology: Amaladoss emphasized the importance
of adapting Christianity to the local cultural context. He
advocated for a harmonious integration of Christian faith and
Indian culture, seeking to express the Gospel message in ways
that resonate with the Indian ethos. This approach allows
Christianity to take root within Indian society without imposing
foreign cultural elements.
Inter-religious Dialogue: He recognized the pluralistic nature of
Indian society, where different religions coexist. Amaladoss
promoted dialogue between Christianity and other religions,
particularly Hinduism and Buddhism. He believed that genuine
dialogue could lead to mutual understanding, respect, and
cooperation among different religious communities.
Contextual Theology: Amaladoss encouraged theologians to
engage with the lived experiences of people in their specific
contexts. He believed that theology should be relevant and
address the real-life challenges faced by individuals and
communities. This approach aligns with his commitment to
inculturation and inter-religious dialogue.
Critique and Analysis: From my present context and
background, I find Fr. Michael Amaladoss's theological
contributions to be highly relevant and insightful, yet they also
raise certain points of critique.
Positives:
Cultural Relevance: Amaladoss's emphasis on inculturation
theology is commendable, as it recognizes the importance of
preserving and integrating local cultures while embracing the
Christian faith. This approach helps Christianity resonate more
with the people's hearts and minds.
Inter-religious Harmony: His commitment to inter-religious
dialogue is essential in our globalized world, where
understanding and collaboration among diverse religious
groups are crucial for peace and social harmony.
Critiques:
Theological Dilution: There's a concern that too much emphasis
on inculturation might dilute the core theological tenets of
Christianity. Striking the right balance between cultural
adaptation and preserving essential doctrinal aspects can be
challenging.
Religious Syncretism: The approach of inculturation theology
could potentially lead to syncretism, where Christian beliefs and
practices blend with elements of other religions, losing their
distinctiveness.
Doctrinal Integrity: While contextual theology is important,
there's a risk that focusing solely on context might sideline
foundational theological truths. The challenge lies in
maintaining theological integrity while addressing contextual
needs.
In conclusion, Fr. Michael Amaladoss's contributions to Indian
Christian theology, particularly in the areas of inculturation
theology and inter-religious dialogue, offer valuable insights for
engaging with diverse cultural and religious contexts. However,
there's a need for careful discernment to ensure that cultural
adaptation does not compromise the essential teachings of
Christianity and that theological integrity remains intact.

Christianity’s 5 Most Important Theologians

TREVIN WAX | MAY 27, 2014
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MORE BY TREVIN

1. ATHANASIUS OF ALEXANDRIA
Dates Lived: 298-373
Most important works:
On the Incarnation (317)
The Nicene Creed (325)
Biggest Contributions:
Untiring advocate for Trinitarian theology against Arianism. In
fact, much of the way we think about the Trinity goes back to
his efforts.
A biography of Anthony the Great that inspired the monastic
movement
First to identify the 27 books currently in our New Testament
Main author of the Nicene Creed, unarguably the most
important creed in Christian history.
Favorite Quotes
“The Jesus whom I know as my Redeemer cannot be less than
God.”
“The Son of God became man so that men might become sons
of God.”
“You cannot put straight in others what is warped in yourself.”
“[We believe] in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
begotten from the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the
essence of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God
from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the
Father, through Whom all things came into being, things in
heaven and things on earth, Who because of us men and
because of our salvation came down and became incarnate,
becoming man, suffered and rose again on the third day,
ascended to the heavens, and will come again to judge the
living and the dead…” – from the 325 version of The Nicene
Creed

2. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO
Dates Lived: 354-430
Most important works:
Confessions (398)
On the Trinity (416)
On Christian Doctrine (426)
The City of God (426)
Biggest Contributions:
Articulated the doctrine of original sin and God’s grace through
divine predestination over against Pelagius’ emphasis on free
will and innate human goodness
Proposed a distinction between the “church visible” and the
“church invisible”
Popularized the amillennial view of the End Times, which has
become the most dominant throughout church history
Wrote about the relationship between church and state; he was
the first to advocate the idea of a “just war”
Developed a sacramental theology that would form
the foundation of the practices of the Roman Catholic Church
Favorite Quotes
“You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless
until they rest in You.” (Confessions I, i, 1)
“Give what You command, and command what You will.”
(Confessions X, xxix, 40)
“Man’s maker was made man, that He, Ruler of the stars, might
nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the
Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its
journey; that the Truth might be accused of false witness, the
Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended
on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might
be wounded; that Life might die.” – (Sermons 191.1)
“Excess is the enemy of God.”
“If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you
don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.”
“To sing once is to pray twice.”
“Love God, and do whatever you please.” Sermon on 1 John 7,
8
“Works not rooted in God are splendid sins.”

3. THOMAS AQUINAS
Dates Lived: 1225-1274
Most important works:
Summa Theologica (1274)
Summa Contra Gentiles (1264)
Biggest Contributions:
Believed that a combination of Faith and Reason led to true
knowledge of God
Sought rational proofs for the existence of God
Greatly influenced the Catholic notions of mortal and venial sins
Popularized the rising view of the Lord’s Supper known as
“transubstantiation”
Apologist for Christianity in a time in which Islam was
increasing rapidly
Favorite Quotes
“All the efforts of the human mind cannot exhaust the essence
of a single fly.”
“The sole way to overcome an adversary of divine truth is from
the authority of Scripture.”
“Reason contains certain likenesses of what belongs to faith,
and certain preambles to it, as nature is a preamble to grace.”
“In God there is pure truth, with which no falsity or deception
can be mingled.”
“If the only way open to us for the knowledge of God were
solely that of reason, the human race would remain in the
blackest shadows of ignorance.”
“Knowledge must be through faith.”
“All the good that is in a man is due to God.”

4. JOHN CALVIN
Dates Lived: 1509-1564
Most important work:
Institutes of the Christian Religion(1560)
Biggest Contributions:
Emphasized the penal substitutionary view of the atonement
Overarching commitment to the Augustinian notion of the
sovereignty of God in salvation
Taught that Scripture must interpret Scripture
Used the concept of the Covenant as the organizing principle
for Christian theology
Favorite Quotes
Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and
sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God
and of ourselves.
Every one of us is, even from his mother’s womb, a master
craftsman of idols.
It is better that I should leave untouched what I cannot explain.
When the gospel is preached in the name of God, it is as if God
himself spoke in person.
God tolerates even our stammering, and pardons our ignorance
whenever something inadvertently escapes us – as, indeed,
without this mercy there would be no freedom to pray.
Without the gospel everything is useless and vain; without the
gospel we are not Christians; without the gospel all riches is
poverty, all wisdom folly before God; strength is weakness, and
all the justice of man is under the condemnation of God. But by
the knowledge of the gospel we are made children of
God, brothers of Jesus Christ, fellow townsmen with the
saints, citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, heirs of God with
Jesus Christ, by whom the poor are made rich, the weak
strong, the fools wise, the sinner justified, the desolate
comforted, the doubting sure, and slaves free. It is the power of
God for the salvation of all those who believe. It follows that
every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this
same Jesus Christ alone. For, he was sold, to buy us
back; captive, to deliver us; condemned, to absolve us; he
was made a curse for our blessing, [a] sin offering for our
righteousness; marred that we may be made fair; he died for
our life; so that by him fury is made gentle, wrath
appeased, darkness turned into light, fear reassured, despisal
despised, debt canceled, labor lightened, sadness made
merry, misfortune made fortunate, difficulty easy, disorder
ordered, division united, ignominy ennobled, rebellion
subjected, intimidation intimidated, ambush
uncovered, assaults assailed, force forced back, combat
combated, war warred against, vengeance avenged, torment
tormented, damnation damned, the abyss sunk into the
abyss, hell transfixed, death dead, mortality made immortal.

5. KARL BARTH
Dates Lived: 1886-1968
Most important works:
The Epistle to the Romans (1922)
Church Dogmatics (1968)
Biggest Contributions:
Sought to recover the doctrine of the Trinity, which had been
practically abandoned by radical liberalism
Believed the Bible was a witness to the Word of God (Jesus)
Viewed doctrine of election and predestination as centered
upon Christ
Stressed the paradoxical nature of divine truth
Favorite Quotes
“God is not an abstract category by which even the Christian
understanding of the word can be measured, but he who is
called God is the one God, the single God, the sole God.”
“To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising
against the disorder of the world.”
“Belief cannot argue with unbelief, it can only preach to it.”
“The best theology would need no advocates: it would prove
itself.”
“No one can be saved – in virtue of what he can do. Everyone
can be saved – in virtue of what God can do.”
“Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other
teachers of religion do. He is Himself the way.
Once a young student asked Barth if he could sum up what
was most important about his life’s work and theology in just a
few words. Barth just thought for a moment and then smiled,
“Yes, in the words of a song my mother used to sing me, ‘Jesus
loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.'”
“If I have done anything in this life of mine, I have done it as a
relative of hte donkey that went its way carrying an important
burden. The disciples had said to its owner: ‘The Lord has need
of it.’ And so it seems to have pleased God to have used me at
this time… I was permitted to be the donkey that carried this
better theology for part of the way, or tried to carry it as best I
could.”
Honorable Mentions
What follows is a list of honorable mentions: theologians who
impacted Christian theology in important ways, but who (usually
for a few good reasons) do not make my Top 5 List.
Irenaeus – for his apologetic defense of historic Christianity in
the face of Gnosticism. He also popularized the recapitulation
theory of the atonement
Anselm of Canterbury – founder of scholasticism. Formulated
the ontological argument for God’s existence.
Martin Luther – for his instrumental role in the Reformation. He
was definitely a theologian in his own right, although I see him
more as a revolutionary than a theologian. Calvin is the one
who took the Reformation insights and systematized them and
therefore becomes more influential as a theologian.
Friedrich Schleiermacher & Adolf von Harnack –
Schleiermacher made the subjective experience of the believer
(specifically the feeling of total dependency) the center of
theology and thus became the “Father of Liberalism.” Together
with the later work of Adolph von Harnack, these two packed
quite a punch. The reverberations continue to echo throughout
Christian theology.
John Wesley – an important leader of a renewal movement
within Anglicanism which eventually became Methodism and
the Holiness churches. While probably deserving a place in the
Top Ten or Fifteen, I don’t believe Wesley’s theological
contributions earn him a Top 5 ranking.
Jonathan Edwards – If I were making a list of the Top 5 Most
Important American Theologians, then Edwards would probably
be #1. A fine preacher and interpreter of Puritan theology,
Edwards’ legacy cast a long shadow over American
evangelicalism.
C.S. Lewis – I don’t consider him to be primarily a theologian.
He was a terrific apologist, and he ably articulated the
essentials of the Christian faith. But one can hardly speak of a
“Lewisian” school of theology that has grown up because of his
contributions.
Who else do you think of? Did I get these right or wrong?
Francis Schaeffer’s 4 Prescriptions for the Renewal of the
Church
The term “evangelism” gives many Christians the willies. We
immediately think of canned presentations that seem stiff and
unnatural. We are paralyzed by the thought of knocking on a
stranger’s door and talking about Jesus.
In response to these images of evangelism, we promote the
idea of “building relationships” before sharing the gospel. We
call it friendship or relational evangelism.
I think this development is (overall) a healthy one. We don’t
share the gospel apart from who we are as witnesses. The
most effective evangelism takes place within the context of
relationships where the life of the Christian is on display.
But sometimes, I wonder if our emphasis on relationships might
cause us to turn all our focus to relationship-building and
indefinitely postpone gospel proclamation. So someone asks
you, “Are you sharing the gospel regularly?” and you think, Of
course! I’m building a relationship with an employee at a coffee
shop; I’ve got a friend who watches football with me; I’m getting
to know the parents in my child’s preschool class.
Weeks and months (maybe even years) go by, and we’ve made
friends, but no disciples. We still haven’t spoken about our
Christian faith and what it means to trust in Jesus.
It’s true that effective evangelism usually takes place after
trustworthy relationships have been built. But something is
amiss when we can “get to know” people well over a period of
months and never talk about Jesus.
Does Your Life Make Sense Apart from Jesus?
A few months ago, I struck up a conversation with the father of
one of the kids on my son’s T-ball team. We talked a little about
his work, about his kids, about our community. I asked him why
he had chosen our town. His answer? The church drew him
here. They had wanted to raise a family in a small town with a
good church. Several family members had recommended a
particular church, and so they upped and moved here.
This guy had no idea I was an associate pastor at another local
church. He didn’t even know I was a Christian. Yet within a few
minutes of the conversation, it was clear that he was a believer
and that his faith in Christ was central to his life. As I thought
about that conversation later, I realized that it would have been
impossible for us to form a lasting friendship without talking
about Christ. His Christianity was so central to his identity that it
could not go unnoticed or unmentioned.
In pastoral ministry, I have the same “problem.” Whenever I talk
to a neighbor or strike up a conversation with a stranger, I
usually am asked about my occupation. As soon as I mention
that I’m a pastor, the relationship changes. The conversation
shifts. (Things either go uphill or downhill from there.) But
there’s no sense in hiding. What I do is connected to who I am.
To form a good friendship with someone, my occupation has to
be on the table.
Don’t Wait Too Long to Talk about Jesus
I am all about building relationships and sharing the gospel
within the context of those relationships. I’m not saying that
every conversation has to end with an altar call. But it worries
me when Christians can become “good friends” with non-
Christians without revealing their Christian identity.
Waiting too long to talk about your faith is counterproductive. If I
can get to know you well over the course of several months and
yet never hear you speak of Jesus, then when you eventually
do share the gospel, I will probably assume that Jesus is not
very important to you.
On the other hand, when your Christian faith runs deep, Jesus
has a way of making an appearance much sooner. Our identity
in Christ should be such an integral part of our lives that it is
impossible for someone to know us well without understanding
how our Christian faith informs our lives.
So, yes. By all means, build deep relationships with
unbelievers. But be up front about who you and are and what
you believe. Don’t go in cognito in order to be a better
witness. Let people see Christ in you and let them know Who it
is they’re seeing.
Discipleship is living in a way that makes no sense to the world
unless Jesus is King.
Why Grace Shatters Any Sense of Superiority
TREVIN WAX | MAY 22, 2014
SHARETWEETEMAIL

Francis Schaeffer’s 4 Prescriptions for the Renewal of the

Church

In Clear Winter Nights, Chris and Gil have a lengthy

conversation about the failures of Christianity through the years
and the reasons we need God’s grace.
Here’s a snippet:
“Whenever you tell someone they should become a Christian,
you’re saying that whatever they already believe is deficient
somehow. They’re inferior for not believing what you do.”
“You’re right on the first statement but wrong on the second.”
“Okay. So…”
“You’re right that evangelism means whatever the other person
believes is deficient. But you’re wrong that it means they are
inferior for not believing the way you do.”
“Don’t they go together?”
“You tell me. Do you believe that no religious belief has any
deficiency? That every religion is equally good? Equally valid—
just different?”
“I didn’t say they’re all the same.”
“Well, it sure sounded that way last night. But never mind. I’m
glad you see they’re different. To say all religions are the same
is disrespectful. Buddhists know they’re not Christians.
Christians know they’re not Muslims. Never downplay the
differences between these faiths.”
“Sometimes it wouldn’t hurt us to be a little more like other
religions,” Chris put in. “After all, Christianity produced the
Crusades, the Inquisition. Lots of Christians supported slavery.
People around here, even in your church, wanted segregation.”
The words stung. There was a tone in Chris’s voice that
seemed to make Lewisville out to be an ignorant, backwater
town full of racists. Gil wondered if he should give some of his
own personal history of that time and how his church had
responded.He groaned, partly from the exercises, partly from
the memory. Lost church members over how I handled that. He
decided to let it go.
“Oh, we’ve got our dark moments in history, that’s for sure.” Gil
said. “But we fess up. Not to mention we can offer a good
explanation for them.”
“There is no justification for all that.”
“Not a justification, mind you,” Gil said. “But an explanation,
yes.”
“And what is that?”
“Sin, of course. Human wickedness. Evil. Even when we have
the best intentions, we muddle things up.”
Gil could tell that Chris didn’t like that answer. Too
simplistic? When in doubt, keep talking.
“We sure look like a hopeless lot, don’t we? A bungling bunch
of believers. It’s only through grace we’ve made it two thousand
years. Heresy threatening us from inside the walls, persecution
from outside. Compromise with powers and principalities.
Damaging our witness. Diluting our influence. And still we
venture on, this disheveled bride, this disabled body, this unruly
flock. Christ hasn’t given up on us yet.”
“That’s a cop-out,” Chris said.
Gil loved it when Chris got feisty. Gil could wax eloquently
about lots of things, but Chris had a knack for peeling back the
layers and getting to the nub of what he didn’t like. A lot like his
granddad, I must say.
“You’re taking all those times of Christian failure and chalking
them up to sin. That doesn’t do justice to just how bad things
were, does it?”
“I am not justifying the Christians in the past, just like I don’t try
and justify my own personal sins in the present. There’s only
one kind of justification that matters, and it’s not brought about
by ourselves. That’s why no Christian who truly understands
grace can feel superior to anyone else. Grace shatters any
sense of superiority.”