Indian Christianity (An Alternate Reading)

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About the Book The book projects the rich heritage of Indian Christianity covering a vast period of first to the twenty-first century. The author has a meticulous projection in detailing the historical scenario by selecting and describing the most significant events, the key figures and developments in the history of the church in India.

An important contribution of this book is that instead of beginning with the so-called 'great. traditions'- those of the elite hierarchical, and the professional officialdom of the church, the author looks at the 'little tradition'. This is what he means by the alternate reading. In this book one will find references to sources that reflect expressions 'from below'. This historiography from below pays attention to the empirical data drawn from participants in the drama. It acknowledges the complexity of Indian Christianity and honours the multiple cultural identities of the church in India.

The book is clearly written in a readable style and makes a valuable resource for teachers and students of church history, and for all those who are interested in learning about the Indian Church.

About the Author Dr. Hedlund is a missiologist, a teacher and a writer. He came to India in 1974 as a missiologist and a teacher to teach at Union Biblical Seminary, Yavatmal. Since then, there has been no looking back. He started the Church Growth Research Centre, and was responsible for initiating the Church Growth Association in India. At present, Dr. Hedlund is the Director of the MIIS, which is a direct outgrowth of the Church of Indigenous Origin project, to initiate the study of Indigenous Christianity as a field for academic research in Indian Universities and Colleges. In 1961, he married Thea June List. They have two children: Karl and Lisa; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The Hedlunds live now in California.

Foreword As a former student of Dr. Hedlund, I am very happy to know that in his honour, Clark Theological College is publishing his book on Indian Christianity in recognition of his contribution to the Indian church. It is happening at a time when friends and family members of Dr. Hedlund had just recently celebrated his 80 birthday and that Dharma Deepika, a journal which he managed in Chennai, has completed 20 years of its publication. For me, this is the 40th year of my association with Dr. Hedlund, who has remained a teacher and a friend to me upto this day. For this reason, I thought I should introduce Dr. Hedlund as a teacher, writer and organiser; and his work here in India in some detail in this write-up.

Introduction The Indianness of Christianity in India is its distinguishing mark. This being true, an extensive diversity notwithstanding, each facet bears an Indian imprint. India in the 21" century thus makes a significant contribution to World Christianity. World Christianity stands in contrast to global Christianity. Globalisation is indeed an important aspect in Christianity's spread. But it is not the Eurocentric Western model that is spreading. In the era of the third millennium, Christianity is arising in a multitude of colours and forms from Asia as well as from Africa, Latin America' and the Pacific region. Indigenous expressions of faith are clearly rooted in their respective cultures, yet explicitly 'Christian' in their confession of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Indian Christianity is of apostolic origin, and its multiplied manifestations are in historical continuity with the stream of flowing from New Testament times into our own.

**Contents and Sample Pages**