Asian/Indian Christian Theo

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

**this course is taught by Pudota Rayappa John, SJ** Contextual theology is not peculiar to Asia (India). What is special to Asia (India) is its context. Theology becomes Asian (Indian) by a three-fold impact of the context – the many poor, the rich cultures and the living religions. Besides this context there is also an Asian (Indian) way of thinking. The course aims at understanding how the Asian (Indian) Christian Theology emerges from the fertile soil of inter-faith and socio-cultural matrix of Asia (India). It begins with the work of a Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier,” and recognizes the contribution of Jesuit pioneers like Thomas Stephens, S.J. (1549-1619) and Robert de Nobili, S.J. (1577-1656); J. C. Beschi (1680-1742) and John Calmette (d. 1747). Then, we engage some Hindus like, Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833), Sri Rama Krishna Paramahamsa (1836-1886), Sri Vivekananda (1863-1902), Mahatma Phule (1827-1890), Keshab Chandra Sen (1838-1884), Mahatma Gandhi (1861-1948) and the recent spiritual leaders who contributed to the Asian (Indian) understanding of Jesus. Then the course studies some Hindus who became Christians, namely, Pandita Ramabai (1858-1922), Brahmabandhab Upadhyaya (1861-1907), and others. Attention is drawn to some Protestants like, P. Chenchiah (1886-1959), Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929), M.M. Thomas (1916-1996), S.J. Samartha (1920-) and others. The course concludes with some Asian (Indian) Jesuit Catholic theologians like, Sebastian Kappen (1924-1993), George Soares Prabhu 1929-1995), Samuel Rayan (1920-2019), and Michael Amaladoss (1936-). The purpose of the course is to enable a student and teacher to dialogue with other religions and cultures both in the present and in future. To have a deeper understanding of the Person and Function of Jesus Christ, and to present Jesus Christ to the people in a language and medium they understand. Restrictions: Upper level undergraduate/Graduate students only