Christianity In India Through The Ages
India has a long, longstanding history of Christianity, with some estimates saying the religion has a history of up to 2,000 years. This makes Christianity one of the oldest organized religions in India, right behind Hinduism and Islam. In contrast to other organized religions however, Christianity leaves no trace of its origin on Indian soil, making its history and how it is practiced today a bit of a mystery.
When talking about the history of Christianity in India, it can be helpful to break it down into two distinct eras. The first of these is from 33AD to 1500AD, which is referred to as the Early Period. During this Early Period, Christianity was introduced to India by way of the Apostle Thomas and other followers of Jesus Christ. While initially, Christianity was not widely accepted or understood, gradually it began to grow in popularity and many converts were made.
Also around this time, different denominations within Christianity began to emerge. The majority of the newly formed churches associated with the Roman Catholic faith, though it was slowly joined by other denominations including the Marthoma Syrian Church, the Indian Orthodox Church, and the Protestant denominations like the Church of South India. As Christianity continued to grow, so too did Indian Christian communities, which eventually would evolve into powerful cultural and political centers of Indian society.
Establishment Of The Christian Church In India
By 1500, Christianity had firmly established itself in India. During this time, Portuguese and Dutch sailors had started to explore the Indian Ocean and christian missionaries used these opportunities to further spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Indian Subcontinent. Portuguese had particular success and the kingdom of Kochi. Soon the Portuguese brought their religion with them to the Malabar Coast and established the ‘Malabar Church’.
The Malabar Church is credited with introducing a lot of the Roman Catholic churches practices in India, including confession, the worship of saints, etc. Though the Catholic faith’s practices differed from the Orthodox church’s practices, both churches still co-existed peacefully and many Indian traditional festivals began to be celebrated by both.
Evolution Of The Indian Christian Church In The Modern Era
The modern era of Christianity in India began in 1826 and is often referred to as the ‘Great Awakening’. It was during this period that new denominations began to emerge, including the Anglican, Evangelical and Presbyterian Churches. These new denominations emphasized the need for bible-based faith, evangelism, and mission work.
The Great Awakening also led to a resurgence of Indian Christian communities, which began to establish themselves as powerful cultural and political centers of Indian society. Though, as the 20th century arrived, the Christian population in India had begun to dwindle, with Indian government regulations making it difficult for foreign missionaries to continue their evangelical work.
However, in recent years, the Christian Church in India has seen a resurgence, with many young people turning to Christianity for spiritual guidance and comfort. This has led to an increase in the number of churches and denominations, as churches have begun to start catering to younger generations with more modern services and teaching methods.
Christianity & Indian Culture
While Christianity has become entrenched in Indian culture, it is still very much a minority religion, with Hindus accounting for the majority of the nations’ population. However, studies have found that there is nonetheless a strong relationship between various Christian doctrines and Indian cultural values. For example, traditional Indian values of family, respect for elders, and solidarity among communities are still seen in many churches today.
Furthermore, Christianity has had a positive impact on the Indian economy, with many thriving business sectors in places such as Kerala, among others, being driven by the Christian community. Additionally, many of the social welfare organizations in India focus on providing education, health services, and humanitarian aid, which are mainly funded by Indian Christian institutions and organizations.
The Effect Of Globalization On Indian Christianity
In recent years, the impact of globalization has had an interesting effect on Indian Christianity. For example, the rise of Global TV networks, in particular, has allowed evangelical Christian messages to penetrate into Indian households, leading to more conversions in some rural areas. Similarly, the internet and social media networks have opened up whole new avenues of evangelism and Christian publications.
These developments have led to more people becoming interested in Christianity and have caused a shift in how the religion is seen in India. Many of the new converts are younger generations looking for something more than just traditional Hinduism, leading to an influx of young people into churches and religious organizations. This has changed the face of Christianity in India to a great extent, with many Churches now focusing on providing a modern and youth-oriented service.
Growth Of Charitable Organizations
A further consequence of globalization has been the growth of charitable organizations in India. The widespread availability of international NGO’s and other development-based organizations has meant that Indian Christian charities can now expand their reach and their capacity for providing aid to those in need. International organizations such as World Vision and Compassion have played a key role in providing aid and educational opportunities to people throughout India.
Furthermore, many local Christian organizations have done great work in providing basic healthcare, clean water, and other resources to people in need. An example of this is the Rural Indian Medical Centre, which provides medical assistance and education to rural communities in Uttar Pradesh.
Role Of Theology & Philosophy In Indian Christianity
As Christianity continues to grow in India, a new focus has emerged on the role of theology and philosophy in Indian Christianity. Many theologians and scholars have begun to look at how various Christian doctrines are interpreted in the Indian context and how they can be applied to local social, political and economic realities.
This approach has led to a new way of thinking about Christianity and its role in modern India. For example, theologians and scholars are taking a more holistic approach to understanding Christianity, looking at it not just as a religion but as an ‘Indian’ way of life. This has led to a deeper appreciation for the Christian faith in India and has provided a guide for how different Indian cultural values can be applied and integrated into the Christian faith.
Exploring Indian Christianity As A Multi-Faith Movement
The continued growth of Christianity in India has led to the emergence of an intriguing new phenomenon – Indian Christianity as a multi-faith movement. Many organizations have begun to explore different ways in which Christians and non-Christians can work together and learn from each other.
In addition, organizations such as the Indian Council of Christian Unity have acted as a platform for Indian Christians to think critically about their faith, their place in India, and ways in which they can work together with people of other faiths. This has led to the formation of numerous interfaith dialogues and collaborations between Christians, Hindus and Muslims as well as other religious minorities.
Conclusion
Christianity in India is an ancient faith that has seen its fortunes wax and wane over the ages. However, in recent times, Christianity in India has seen a resurgence, with many young people turning to the faith for spiritual guidance and comfort. This has led to a deeper appreciation for the Christian faith in India and has resulted in the growth of charitable organizations, global outreach programs, and interfaith dialogues. All of which make it clear that Christianity in India still has a major role to play in the development and growth of Indian society.
