This book covers the History of Christianity in India from its beginnings till the 21st century. The method upon which this work rests is a historical analysis. This work is heavily dependent upon those authoritative historical sources and reputed scholars who have contributed so much to the preservation and flourishing of History of Christianity in India.
In all, the research work has twelve chapters covering areas like Origin of Christianity in India, Indian Christianity and Its Relation with Christian of the East, Roman Catholic Christianity in India, First Protestant Christianity in India, Protestant Christianity in Different Region in India, Colonialism and Protestant Christianity in India, Christianity and Nation Building in India, Indigenous Missionary Movements and the Rise of Indian Church, Indian Christian and Ecumenical Movement, History of Christianity in North East India, Rise and Expansion of Pentecostalism in India, Post Independent India and Christian Movements. This scholarly work is meant to cater the long-felt need of the readers, especially students undergoing theological education.
Rev. Dr Woba James is an ordained minister of Council of Baptist Churches in North East India. Presently, he is teaching in the Department of History of Christianity at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam, and also the Head of the Department in the College. He is the President of CHAI North East Region and the convener of Peace Riders in North East India. He completed his B.Th, B.D, M.Th and D.Th degrees from Serampore College/University. Before joining in the teaching field he has worked as missionary cum pastor in North India (Delhi, U.P, and Punjab) for some years under the Pocket Testament League of India, besides, he also served as the Traveling Mission Secretary for Evangelical Medical Fellowship of India in the Calcutta and Orissa region.
He has been involved in the teaching field for many years now. He is married to Dr. Lovely Awomi and they have two children, a son and a daughter (Avi & Ane). He has authored Revisiting Ecumenical Theological Education in India with a Special Reference to the Senate of Serampore College; Major Issues in the History of Christianity in India: A Postcolonial Reading; and has also co-edited few books such as Peacemaking in North East India: Social and Theological Exploration (Woba James & Yangkahao Vashum); Towards Advancement: Voices from Diverse Theological Disciplines (Woba James & Dr. Lovely Awomi James); Nurturing Children in the Tribal Society of North East India: A Search for Values (Woba James, Razouselie Lasetso and I. Toshi Jamir); Re-Imaging Reformation Essay in Honour of P.G. George (Woba James, YT Vinayaraj and Dexter Maben); The Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNED) Since 1950 (Woba James and Narola Imchen). In addition, he has published several articles in various theological journals and he travels for seminars as resource person and speaker for several programs of different churches.
This book is a result of the long-felt need of the students especially students undergoing theological education under the Senate of Serampore College (University) and Asia Theological Association curriculum that has been often expressed to me, one of their course teachers. What my students need is a book that is designed in accordance to their course syllabus in the History of Christianity in India. Hence, I finally decided to put my efforts in bringing out a book that to some extent caters to their need. As such my gratitude goes to them for being the main motivation behind my work here and as such this book is dedicated to them my beloved students.
This book covers the History of Christianity in India from its beginnings till the 21" century. It has twelve chapters in all. It is imperative that I admit that this work would not have been possible without the inspiration, encouragement and support of my students, friends, family and several well-wishers. Though I might not be able to mention all of them here, few of them deserve my acknowledgement. First and foremost, I thank God the Almighty for all the blessings bestowed upon me, for seeing me through the entire time and process of this work. Secondly, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the enthusiasm and encouragement I received from my students, who served as the backbone for this work. Thirdly, my teachers, who, all through my theological journey, served as the source of inspiration, especially my department teachers in different Colleges and Study Centers. Lastly (but not the least!), my gratitude goes to my wife Dr Lovely Awomi James who once again took great pains in meticulously reading through my manuscripts and our children Khoesiivio James Woba (Avi) and Rathrune James Woba (Ane) for their love and forbearance.
Sensing the great need for a book on the History of Christianity in India: A Reader, this work invests a sincere effort, to bring out a single volume book that covers a major portion of the subject History of Christianity in India. The method upon which this work rests is a historical analysis. This work is heavily dependent upon those authoritative historical sources and reputed scholars who have contributed so much to the preservation and flourishing of History of Christianity in India. As the readers go through the book, they will be able to easily identify those sources as they are given in the footnotes without which, this work would not have been possible. The writer believes that this book will be of some help to the readers (especially students) in their study and understanding of the History of Christianity in India.
As mentioned in the preface, this book has twelve chapters. The first chapter The Origin of Christianity in India deals with the subject of the Origin of Christianity in India, taking under our critical study the various sources of the St Thomas tradition to see how far they are historically reliable. The second chapter Indian Christianity and Its Relation with Christian of the East takes the subject of the ecclesiastical relation that existed between the Church in India and the Church of the East in the early centuries which is supported by diverse local and outside sources of tradition. The third chapter The Roman Catholic Christianity in India traces the history of the Roman Catholic Church in India and the religious policy of the Portuguese in its attempt to establish the Roman Catholic Christianity in India. The fourth chapter The First Protestant Christianity in India analyses the history of the first two protestant missions in India the Tranquebar Mission and the Serampore Mission. The fifth chapter Protestant Christianity in Different Regions in India analyses some of the important issues that accompanied the growth of protestant missionary activities and the emergence of the British power in India. The sixth chapter Colonialism and Protestant Christianity in India takes the subject in analyzing their religious policies towards Christian mission in India. The seventh chapter Christianity and Nation Building in India, deals with the rise of Christianity and National Independence movement, Bengal renaissance, social activities, empowerment of women and Christianity and caste and Christianity and communalism in India. The eighth chapter Indigenous Missionary Movements and the Rise of Indian Church deals with the development of quest for Indian Identity and indigenization of Indian Christianity. Chapter nine Indian Christianity and Ecumenical Movement gives a historical analysis on the Indian Ecumenical Movement and the various issues that come under its wings. Chapter ten History of Christianity in North East India traces the growth of Christianity in North East India through different missions and church traditions. The eleventh chapter Issues of Pentecostalism in India gives a brief history of the rise of Pentecostalism in India, which happens to be the fastest growing Church in India. And the final chapter Post Independent Indian and Christian Movements deals with the rise of Religious Fundamentalism, Minority Rights, and Reservation for Dalit Christians, Ashram Movements and Theological Institutions in India.
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