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 PrintableVersion Changing IndiaSaving the subcontinentCHANGING INDIA Robin was born in India, of missionary parents, in 1943, educated in India and later in England. In 1966, after university studies, he returned to India to be a missionary teacher of Bible and theology. In this book he records how he struggled with the question of what use a missionary Bible teacher could be to India and its many needs, as he saw them. Together with his personal thoughts on this matter, he shares (in 14 chapters) the experiences of a number of Indian Christian friends, whom he came to know and respect, as they sought to bring benefit to India in a variety of ways by the practical application of their Christian faith and principles. Robin's friends were working in many different situations in India - from Kerala to the North East, and from Madras to Maharashtra; in cities and villages, among tribal people, slum dwellers and marginalised children with disabilities. In all those situations changes were being brought about resulting in obvious improvement to people's physical welfare, both as individuals and often as communities. Some of his friends were being honoured at the highest international level for what they were doing for social welfare. But challenging questions remained... Were these Christian friends simply destroying centuries of indigenous cultures? Was their motivation the desire to exploit people and bring about 'conversions' by glowing social improvement? What are the advantages, or disadvantages, of bringing about changes of culture? Why can't you have beneficial social uplift without having Christian teaching too? How do we decide what changes are good? After a chapter explaining the basic truths of the Christian message, Robin concludes from the examples he has described that, 'Christians serve people and invite them to turn to Christ, not to exploit them or pressurise them, but because they believe this is the best they can offer... Their service is inescapably based on their commitment to Christ'. This view of the religion of Christianity distinguishes spiritual reality from culture, community and geography. 'On this understanding we all need conversion - not from one religion to another but from sin and self toward God. It is not our religion, nor our parent's religion, but our relationship with God and our response to Christ which matter.' Written sympathetically, gently and objectively, the book may well raise some Hindu eyebrows, but as the Secretary of the Council of Hindu Temples in UK has commented, 'it is well worth a read since it discusses carefully the all-important and hotly-pursued issue of the day in religious circles - conversion'. Anyone involved in, interested in, or contemplating joining the work of Christian mission overseas should read this book! John Appleby, Banbury© Evangelicals Now - August 2002 |
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