The State of Mission Studies in : An Overview and Assessment of Publications and Publishing Siga Arles

rom the first millennium of the Christian era in India, of Indian indigenous . His Introduction to Indian Christian Fonly mere fragments of Christian literature have survived, Theology (1969) has become the standard textbook at the B.Th. held at places such as the Orthodox Seminary in , and B.D. levels for the course in Indian . In . Cyril Bruce Firth lists the few items that are available, The Acknowledged Christ of the Indian Renaissance (1969), Thomas mentioning other authors who have summarized the material.1 demonstrated that even some from outside of the church The situation does not change up through the first half of the affirmed Christ and his significance, including Ram Mohun second millennium; Firth again remains our source and guide. Roy, Vivekananda, Radhakrishnan, and M. K. Gandhi.7 The situation begins to change with the arrival of Francis Such explorations into the early formation of indigenous Xavier to the Indian subcontinent in 1542. Some information from theology ultimately led to the kind of mission studies that gave the following century and a half has survived relating to Roman rise to an indigenous missiology for India. We will not be able Catholic mission activities.2 By the time Protestant missionar- to pursue the argument, but we should note that some reject ies Bartholomew Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Plutschau entered the idea of an autonomous missiology, claiming that theology India in 1706, the art of printing made it possible for writings to properly includes missiology, or vice versa. For them, there is a be preserved and widely read. Ziegenbalg translated the New smooth transition from Indian Christian theology to missiology. Testament and printed it within a short span of two decades at Others hold that missiology is distinct from theology, although the beginning of the eighteenth century. theological insights may be included within the formation of missiology, depending on the specific context. Missiological Literature in India Before 1947 The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI; founded in 1914 as the National Council; in 1923 becoming When William Carey and his team developed an educational the National Christian Council of India, Burma, and Ceylon; and enterprise at , West Bengal, they were able to assemble bearing its present name since 1979, following the separation a surprisingly large number of printed books. These volumes are from it of the Councils of Burma and Sri Lanka8) has played a still available at the Carey Library and Research Centre (CLRC) central role in Indian mission studies. Kaj Baagø highlights the at (founded in 1818).3 The very first major NCCI’s achievements, mentioning in particular the Lindsay Christian literature work in India was the Bible translations Commission’s study Christian Higher Education in India (1931), that Carey undertook in the early nineteenth century. The first Waskom Pickett’s Christian Mass Movements in India (1933), and apologetic writings were the correspondence between Carey’s Charles Ranson’s The Christian Minister in India (1945), all of associate and Raja Ram Mohun Roy.4 Christian which deepened thought on mission and ministry in India.9 Mis- colleges and their founders gave added impetus to the develop- sion understanding, methodology, and practice in India prior to ment of Christian literature in India.5 independence benefited from the founding of the Henry Martyn By the middle of the nineteenth century indigenous writers Institute of Islamic Studies in 1930 and the attempt to initiate a were appearing such as Lal Behari Day, Keshub Chandra Sen, similar center for the study of .10 K. M. Banerjee, and, later, Brahmabandhab Upadhyaya. A few, At the 1923 All India Conference of Indian Christians, K. T. such as Pulney Andi, who had the vision of a national church of Paul, the conference president, spoke on the topic “The Respon- India, gave thought to indigenous shaping of the church. Until sibility of Christian Citizenship in India.” Later, at the 1930 the twentieth century, however, there was almost no indigenous Serampore Convocation, Paul asked, “What is the place of the Indian Christian literature. Most written documents were pre- Church of Christ in the currents of India’s thought and feeling pared by Western and colonial masters, with very and aspirations and action? Is it an effective factor in determining few by Indians. The materials were exploratory, apologetic, India’s standards, in the evolution of its corporate conscience? and evangelistic in nature. Kaj Baagø, Robin Boyd, and M. M. What is the contribution of Christian citizenship to public opinion Thomas—as noted by D. A. Thangasamy—have done excellent in India?”11 We could thus justifiably say that mission study in the work in summing up the nineteenth- and twentieth-century roots Indian setting was holistic right from the start. Prominent names from which Indian Christian theology was to grow.6 Baagø iden- contributing to its growth include in particular J. G. Shome, E. C. tified early Indian Christian writers in his Pioneers of Indigenous Bhatty, , Narayan Vaman Tilak, O. Kandasamy Theology in India (1969). Boyd continued the survey in his doctoral Chetti, H. A. Krishna Pillai, P. C. Mazoomdar, R. P. Dutt, Manilal research at Edinburgh, summarizing the earliest contributors and C. Parekh, and Vedanayakam Samuel Azariah. then moving on to consider the early, middle, and later pioneers On August 15, 1947, the colonial period ended, and India became independent. The Indian National Congress took control Siga Arles is Director of the Centre for Contemporary of administering the nation, in keeping with the mood of the age. , , India. He is the author of The church in India likewise experienced freedom and began Missiological Education: An Indian Exploration to take charge of its ministry and mission. Six weeks later, on (CfCC, 2006). —[email protected] September 27, five major church groups united to become the , thereby taking a step toward overcoming Western denominational divisions. A similar unification of seven major church groups took place in 1970 with the founding of the Church of North India.

156 International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol. 34, No. 3 The church in India faced the need of developing both indig- the meaning of Kraemer’s Christian Message in a Non-Christian enous leadership and indigenous theology. A question commonly World.14 The neoorthodox defense against the growing liberalism raised is, Was the church at heart a pro-British group, or were of Western scholars, along with the Indian Christian response, Christians fully engaged in the political struggle for freedom? began to lay the foundations of Indian Christian theology. The Arthur Jeyakumar proves that in the Tamil Christians neoorthodox impulse rejected culture and any program were as much involved in the freedom struggle as their Hindu of merely earthly betterment, insisting on the radical otherness neighbors.12 of the Gospel. Facing the challenge of the times, the National Christian Council of India tackled these issues by setting up Mission Studies After Independence the Christian Institute for the Study of Society (1951) and the Committee for Literature on Social Concerns (1954) among In the mid-twentieth century we begin to feel the heartthrob of other structures. The NCCI also promoted exploration of the the church in India as its theological leaders search for identity, understanding of ministry and mission in the Indian context by purpose, and expression. What is Christian identity within the sponsoring conferences, study programs, and symposia. pluralistic context of India? What is the church as a commu- Arguing for a Christian concern for society, P. D. Devanandan nity within the factional communalism—of casteism, linguism, desired to create a theology that reaffirmed a positive approach regionalism, racism, tribalism, and religious divides—that is to other and cultures. He proposed that Christian social rampant in India? What is the mission of the church in India? concern should be not merely political or economic but primarily These questions were at the forefront for the Indian Christian theological, rooted in and governed by the insight that “our church as the British were preparing to leave the country. At stands for the redemption of the whole man,” here and now.15 in 1942 the Indian Theological Conference considered the E. Stanley Jones argued that movement of social justice to the topic “Our Theological Task.”13 The members of the Rethinking forefront of secular preoccupations was evidence of the present Group in Madras addressed the theme “Rethinking Christian- reality of the kingdom of .16 Devanandan and, later, M. M. ity in India” at the time when the Western world was exploring Thomas took this social mission seriously and developed the ideal of the church’s mission as social action for justice. Under their leadership the Christian Institute for the Study of Reli- Abbreviations gion and Society (CISRS), set up in 1957, began to develop the various aspects of this theology for the mission of the church. ATA Asia Theological Association, Singapore / Bangalore / Manila CISRS grew dominant, and as Philip Potter attested, it impacted BTESSC Board of Theological Education of the Senate of the way the World Council of Churches developed its contextual Serampore College, Serampore and Bangalore theology of mission.17 CDSS Centre for Dalit and Subaltern Studies, Delhi The literature produced by CISRS could well be identified as CfCC Centre for Contemporary Christianity, Bangalore the inaugural set of books for mission studies in India. The titles CIME Consortium for Indian Missiological Education, below indicate the kind of studies that were undertaken; they Bangalore covered the social, political, economic, and religious challenges CISRS Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and facing the church in mission. Society, Bangalore CLS Christian Literature Society, Chennai [Madras] by P. D. Devanandan: The Gospel and the Hindu Intellectual CLSC Committee for Literature on Social Concerns, Bangalore (CISRS, 1958); Resurgent Hinduism: Review of Modern Move- CLRC Carey Library and Research Centre, Serampore ments (CISRS, 1958); Our Task Today: Revision of Evan- College, Serampore gelistic Concern (CISRS, 1958); The Dravida Kazhagam: CMS-UBS Centre for Mission Studies at Union Biblical A Revolt Against Brahminism (CISRS, 1959); The Gospel Seminary, Pune and Renascent Hinduism (SCM, 1959); Christian Concern COUNT Christian Outreach Uplifting New Tribes, in Hinduism (CISRS, 1961); Christian Issues in Southern Hyderabad Asia (Friendship Press, 1963) CSS Christava Sahitya Samiti, Tiruvalla by Devanandan et al.: Presenting Christ to India Today (CLS, ECC Ecumenical Christian Centre, Whitefield, 1957) Bangalore edited by Devanandan and Thomas: Cultural Foundations of FOIM Fellowship of Indian Missiologists, Pune IMA India Missions Association, Hyderabad Indian Democracy (CLSC, 1955); India’s Quest for Democ- ISET Indian School of Ecumenical Theology, racy (CLSC, 1955); Community Development in India’s Bangalore Industrial Urban Areas (CLSC, 1958); The Changing Pat- ISPCK Indian Society for Promoting Christian tern of Family in India (CISRS, 1960); Problems of Indian Knowledge, Delhi Democracy (CISRS, 1962) MEB Mission Educational Books, Chennai by M. M. Thomas: Salvation and Humanisation (CISRS, 1971); NCCI National Christian Council of India, Nagpur The Secular Ideologies of India and the Secular Meaning of SAIACS South Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Christ (CISRS, 1976); Towards an Evangelical Social Gospel Studies, Bangalore (CLS, 1977) SATHRI South Asia Theological Research Institute, compiled by Thomas: Christian Participation in Nation- Bangalore SCM SCM Press, London Building (NCCI, 1960) TBT Theological Book Trust, Bangalore edited by Thomas and H. F. J. Daniel: Human Problems of TTS Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Industry in Bangalore (CISRS, 1964) UBS Union Biblical Seminary, Pune edited by Thomas and R. W. Taylor: Tribal Awakening UTC United Theological College, Bangalore (CISRS, 1965)

July 2010 157 In addition, CISRS published numerous articles in its journal As indicated, the Christian Literature Society (CLS) became Religion and Society and in the National Christian Council Review.18 the publishing house for the Theological Text Books Programme. During the same period the Ecumenical Christian Centre With early pioneers of literature ministry such as J. N. Farquhar, (ECC) was founded at Whitefield in Bangalore. The ECC held CLS has had a long history of providing Christian literature for numerous conferences and published books and reports, all of India. But this role appears to have faded, for it lacks contem- which also contributed to mission studies in India.19 It sponsored porary vibrancy. In 1958 the British Society for the Propagation a variety of programs, some of which were politically oriented: of Christian Knowledge established its Indian wing, ISPCK, which also has a glorious history of publishing missional and Democratic Socialism, Democracy, and Dynamics of Change theological books that have significantly helped the church in Federalism in India mission. A noble venture that ISPCK undertakes is to donate a Food and Hunger Crisis set of books to each first-year theological student in India. ISPCK The Judiciary and the Parliament also partners with institutions to bring out fresh books in theol- Media and Politics ogy and missiology. National Goals Besides the work of NCCI, CISRS, ECC, and publishing Panchayat Raj as an Instrument of Democracy houses such as CLS and ISPCK, India has seen a trend of vari- Pedagogy of the Oppressed ous theological institutions holding mission consultations and Secularism in Indian Constitution and Practice conferences and then publishing the essays presented, along with Women in Indian Politics After 1947 additional evaluatory reports and interpretative introductions. Such a series has come out of the Centre for Mission Studies Other programs were more sociologically oriented: (CMS) of Union Biblical Seminary (UBS), in Pune, published by ISPCK. Begun in 1982, this effort has so far produced a dozen The Bengali Novel and Social Life books, which have made important contributions to Indian mis- The Cancer of Corruption siological literature. This scholarly series, which is mainly from an The Christian Family in the Industrial Society evangelical perspective, has been particularly valuable because Cinema and Social Change evangelical mission literature in India has otherwise been almost Communalism in Indian Politics exclusively devotional or promotional in nature. This UBS effort Concept of Liberation in South India Fiction has thus been most welcome and, it is hoped, can be sustained. Dialogue on Eradication of Underdevelopment The series includes: Harijan Oppression in Independent India Health Service The Church in India: Its Mission Tomorrow (1996) Human Rights Good News to the Poor: The Challenge to the Church (1997) Social Responsibility : Search for Liberation and Identity (1998) Value of Human Life in Suicide, Violence, and Abortion Ecological Challenge and (1998) Conversion in a Pluralistic Context (2000) Mission concern was expressed in programs such as The The Indian Church in Context: Her Emergence, Growth, and Christian in a Secular World, Christian Responsibility, Mission Mission (2002) in the Light of Emerging Theology, The Role of the Laity, What Persecution and Suffering: Christian Reflections and Responses Is Mission? and What Mission Is Not. ECC also explored the (2002) wider role of mission and education. For example, the program Leadership and Mission (2004) for village school teachers studied education as a key to social Nationalism and : A Christian Response (2005) change. During the third quarter of the twentieth century, the Missiological Education: Theological Integration and Contextual ECC studied concerns specific to women, youth, the media, and Implications (2009)21 the law, each of which provided much food for thought for the church in mission in India. The ECC offers its seminar reports as In honor of Ben Wati, UBS also published a Festschrift, Mission books, as well as publishing thought-provoking papers from its and Missions (1998), which brought together essays relating events in its journal Theology for Our Times. Each issue focuses on a leadership, ethics, and the task of mission.22 main theme involving areas of concern for the church in mission. Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Three of the themes have been “Evolving a New Paradigm in Institute, Chennai, developed Summer Institutes, which have Theology for Asia” (June 1998); “Economics, Ecology, , enabled its faculty members to interact each year with special- and Religion” (August 1999); and “Religious : ists on selected mission topics, particularly in the Indian context. Ethical Challenges” (July 2008). The result has been a series of books, including Frontiers of Dalit Paralleling the efforts of NCCI, CISRS, and ECC, the Senate Theology (1997) and New Horizons in Christian Mission: A Theologi- of Serampore College established its Theological Text Books cal Exploration (1999). Earlier, the institution published Debate on Programme and began to publish study books for theologi- Mission (1979).23 cal students at the B.Th. and B.D. levels. Some of these were The Tamilnadu Theological Seminary (TTS), Madurai, directly helpful as mission studies material, especially Cyril has published a series of books relating to the many challenges Bruce Firth, An Introduction to Indian Church History, 3d ed. facing Christian mission in India. Their titles include: (CLS, 1976); Gabriel Dietrich and Bastiaan Wielenga, Towards Understanding Indian Society (Centre for Social Analysis, TTS, by Dhyanchand Carr: Gospel Through Dissent (1985) 1997); and Henry H. Presler, Primitive Religions in India (CLS, by : Good News to the Poor (1984); Let Justice 1971).20 During the 1960s and 1970s this series accomplished Roll Down like Waters (1984); First World Fundamentalism much good work but became less active in the 1980s. Now it Frustrates the Poor (1987) mainly reprints older titles. by Robinson and Carr: Solidarity of the Oppressed (1981)

158 International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol. 34, No. 3 edited by Robinson: For the Sake of the Gospel (1980); Influ- sharing mission study material. Much mission-related informa- ence of Hinduism on Christianity (1980); Communicating tion has appeared, for example, in the reports and articles in the the Gospel Today (1986) following journals (* = irregular or short-lived in appearance). by TTS: Living, Learning, Witnessing (1984); Called to Obedi- ence (1985) Asian Journal of Theology, SATHRI, Bangalore Bangalore Theological Forum, UTC, Bangalore Also, an earlier volume edited by , A Vision Deepika, Deepika Educational Trust, Chennai for Man (CLS, 1978), belongs in this series of TTS publications. In Indian Church History Review, Church History Association addition, Siding with the Poor (Madras: CLS, 1989), by TTS faculty of India, Bangalore member Gnana Robinson, is an excellent resource for anyone *Indian Journal of Missiology, Indian Institute of Missiology, interested in the area of mission among the poor. Trichy, Bangalore This seminary has been active in exploring a variety of *Indian Journal of Theology, Serampore College and ways that the church might enter society with the Good News College, of Jesus Christ, some of which have been expressed in multiple Journal of Tribal Studies, Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, programs, including: Assam National Council of Churches Review, NCCI, Nagpur Arulagam (“House of Grace”; a home for destitute women Religion and Society, CISRS, Bangalore and their children) Theology for Our Times, ECC / ISET, Whitefield, Bangalore Education for the Social Welfare of the Oppressed *TRACI–ETS Journal, TRACI, Delhi Inba Illam (“Home for the Old and Needy”) UBS Journal, Union Biblical Seminary, Pune Makkal Nagar (a home for Sri Lankan refugees) Peoples Association for Social Action Individually, the impact of these journals varies. The strongest Peoples Movement for Women’s Rights are Religion and Society, Indian Church History Review, Bangalore Rural Theological Institute Theological Forum, and National Council of Churches Review. Siloam Farm (a home for lepers) Among Roman Catholic publications, four journals have TECCA: Theological Education for Christian Commitment been among the most popular publications for mission studies: and Action Indian Missiological Review (later Mission Today), Integral Liberation, Jnanodaya, and Third Millennium. A flow of reports, articles, and books has emerged from the The Indian Social Institute at Delhi and Bangalore, as well as activities, experiences, and struggles of these many programs, the Centre for Social Action in Bangalore, has done tremendous which have pursued mission in various settings. They have pro- service by producing contextual studies and relevant research vided the rudiments of an authentic and indigenous missiology, writings to help the cause of mission. I encourage each of my exactly what the Indian church needs for its reflection, learning, missiology students to buy the series of works published by and involvement. the Centre for Social Action because of their general relevance. Other institutions have also published relevant studies that Important books in this series include the following: relate broadly to mission. An important one is Ecumenical Missiol- ogy (2002), from United Theological College, Bangalore.24 Also, by John Desrochers: Christ the Liberator (1977); Education for its journal Bangalore Theological Forum discusses theology and the Social Change (1987); The India We Want to Build, 2 vols. concerns of contextual ministry that underlie mission activities. (1994–95); The Social Teaching of the Church in India (2006) Several of its current and former faculty members have probed by Desrochers and George Joseph: India Today (1988) deeply into a variety of mission-related topics. Here we could by John Maliekal: Indian Political Parties and Ideologies (1977) mention Christopher Duraisingh, Franklyn J. Balasundaram, by Bastiaan Wielenga: Introduction to Marxism (1984) Arvind Nirmal, Gnana Robinson, Jayakiran Sebastian, John Mohan Razu, Nalini Arles, and Sathianathan Clarke, who have Other books deal with caste, the eco-crisis, the five-year plans had significant impact in areas such as Asian theology, Dalit of the government of India, industry, medical needs, and slums. theology, patristic theology, globalization, counseling, pastoral These studies provide crucial contextual knowledge for mission care, and theological education. students concerned with developing action plans. The South Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Studies The Fellowship of Indian Missiologists (FOIM), formed in (SAIACS), also in Bangalore, has published a series of books, 1991 at the initiative of Jacob Kavunkal and some of his associ- some from theses written by their students and others by faculty ates, soon began to hold conferences for missiologists from all members and visiting scholars. Here we could mention four titles, the churches of India. Papers presented were later published in all published by SAIACS Press: Insights into Openness: Encourag- a FOIM series. At first they were unrelated collections of essays, ing Urban Mission (2000), by Atul Y. Aghamkar; Bridges Across but in later years they were tied to a theme. Volumes published Cultures (2003), by Achenkunju Pappy, John Philip, and George so far have been: Edward; Welcoming the Gospel in Jharkhand (2003), by R. George Edward; Tribes in Transition (2004), edited by F. Hrangkhuma; Bible and Mission in India Today (1993) and Road to Delhi: J. Waskom Pickett Remembered (2005), by Arthur Christ and Cultures (1994) G. McPhee. Founded in 1981 as a center specializing in missiol- Dimensions of Mission in India (1996) ogy, SAIACS has evolved into an institution for postgraduate Mission and Conversion: A Reappraisal (1996) theological studies, Christian leadership training, and research. Mission Trends Today: Historical and Theological Perspectives Among other degrees, it offers the doctor of missiology. (1997) Other educational institutions and cooperative enterprises Blossoms from the East: Contribution of the Indian Church to have also published journals that have been a major avenue for World Mission (1999)

July 2010 159 Missiological Approaches in India (1999) by A. Wati Longchar: The Tribal Religious Traditions in North In the Shadow of the Cross: Christians and Minorities in India East India: An Introduction (2000) Encounter Hostility (2002) edited by Longchar: No More Guns! People’s Struggle for Creative Ministries: Exploring New Frontiers in Mission (2004) Justice: Focus on North East India (2000) Emerging Indian Missiology: Context and Concept (2006) edited by Longchar and Larry E. Davis: Doing Theology with Christ Among the Tribals (2007) Tribal Resources: Context and Perspective (1999) Building Solidarity: Challenge to Christian Mission (2008)25 by S. Devasagayam Ponraj: Tribal Challenge and the Church’s Response (1996) Similar to the efforts of the Senate of Serampore College to by K. Thanzauva: Transforming Theology: A Theological Basis produce textbooks for students, the Asia Theological Association for Social Transformation (2002) and Theology of Community: (ATA) established the Theological Book Trust (TBT), which has Tribal Theology in the Making (2004)28 successfully produced and marketed about fifty books in the last twenty years. These books, some of which are of mission studies, Dalit studies have taken center stage in recent years, for the are low-cost productions aimed to help theological students at the issues have been portrayed as an example of apartheid, and the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Books for mission study include world community has increasingly been interested in the plight several by Ken Gnanakan: Kingdom Concerns: A Biblical Exploration of the oppressed untouchables of India and has desired their Towards a Theology of Mission (1989; 4th ed., 2002), The Pluralistic liberation. I list here seven recent studies: Predicament (1992), Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Context, rev. ed. (2002), and Responsible Stewardship of God’s Creation (2004). The Dalit Christians: A History, 2d ed. (1994) Other important TBT titles are Doing Mission in Context (1995), Frontiers of Dalit Theology (1997) edited by Sunand Sumithra and F. Hrangkhuma; Missionary of Dalit Consciousness and Christian Conversion (1999) the Indian Road: The Theology of Stanley Jones (1996), by Paul A. J. Asian Dalit Solidarity (2000) Martin; and Media in Church and Mission: Communicating the Gospel Frontiers in Dalit Hermeneutics (2005) (1998), by Viggo Søgaard. Also, Christava Sahitya Samiti from Essays on Dalits, Religion, and Liberation (2006) Tiruvalla in the recent past has developed a series of missional Dalit Pentecostalism: Spirituality of the Empowered Poor (2008)29 books and has become an attractive low-cost publisher. Beside textbooks, the Board of Theological Education of the These books, which are but the tip of the iceberg, all deal with Dalit Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC), along with its doctoral theology and its implications for mission and mission studies. center, the South Asia Theological Research Institute (SATHRI), One important area needing much further work is docu- Bangalore, has published books to enhance scholarship and mentation and histories of the various Indian mission fields research. Some of these publications have particularly impacted and mission organizations, of which India has a large number. mission studies in recent years, especially Frontiers in Dalit Herme- Most have no written history. We have a desperate need to neutics (2005) and Mission in the Past and Present: Challenges and document the vision, purpose, founding, early struggles, later Perspectives (2006).26 Books dealing with tribal, feminist, Dalit, and growth, challenges, and prospects of each of the groups laboring other concerns relevant to the mission of the church in the Indian throughout India. When I was chairman of the board of gov- setting are being released by the research scholars at SATHRI. ernors of Christian Outreach Uplifting New Tribes (COUNT), The Delhi-based Centre for Dalit and Subaltern Studies (CDSS) Hyderabad, we released two volumes during the Silver Jubilee has partnered with other similar ventures. The Journal of Tribal celebrations giving the history of COUNT and acknowledging Studies, published by Eastern Theological College, in Jorhat, those who were instrumental in setting its vision.30 The India Mis- Assam, presents research on tribal issues. Gurukul Lutheran sions Association (IMA, founded 1977), the national federation Theological College has made special efforts to publish on Dalit of missions in India, has occasionally prepared statistical data and women’s concerns. on either state or national levels. It has published Transforming For women’s studies, there are numerous efforts; here are the Indian Cities: Profiles of Selected 100 Cities (2004),31 as well as four of special note. Prasanna Kumari edited a volume in honor several hundred profiles of Dalits and megapeople groups. Such of Florence Robinson entitled Women in Church and Society efforts are overdue; we need initiatives and support structures (1999). After Prasanna Kurami’s death, her husband, Samuel to accomplish this task as soon as possible. Meshack, edited a volume entitled Mission with the Marginal- Beside institutional efforts, we must acknowledge that many ized: Life and Witness of Rev. Dr. Prasanna K. Samuel (2007). individuals have done important research and have published Lalrinawmi Ralte and others compiled essays in the volumes their findings, adding to the collection of mission study litera- Women Re-shaping Theology: Introducing Women’s Studies in Theo- ture. For instance, F. J. Balasundaram presented his EATWOT in logical Education in India (1998) and Envisioning a New Heaven Asia: Towards a Relevant Theology (1993), based on his doctoral and a New Earth (1998),27 giving voice to the explorations and study at the South Asia Theological Research Institute.32 Milton thoughts of women theologians. Such works form an important Jeganathan wrote Mission and Education (2002), Lalsangkima area of mission studies touching, as they do, half of all the people Pachuau wrote Ethnic Identity and Christianity: A Socio-Historical on the face of the earth! and Missiological Study of Christianity in North East India with Spe- Tribal mission studies has also been a theme addressed by cial Reference to Mizoram (2002), and Mary Schaller Blaufuss various scholars, particularly from Northeast India. Here we can wrote Changing Goals of the American Madura Mission in India, mention the following: 1830–1916 (2003), all three arising from their doctoral studies at Princeton. My own doctoral thesis from the University of Aber- edited by F. Hrangkhuma: Tribes in Transition: Indian Chris- deen was published as Theological Education for the Mission of the tians Reflect on the Original Inhabitants of the Land (2004) Church in India: 1947–1987 (1991), with a second edition titled edited by Hrangkhuma and Joy Thomas: Christ Among the Missiological Education: An Indian Exploration (2006).33 Tribals (2007) In some cases, scholars outside of the church have contrib-

160 International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol. 34, No. 3 uted works that are valuable for mission studies. These include January 2010, twelve volumes have been published. By year of Kancha Ilaiah’s Why I Am Not a Hindu: A Sudra Critique of Hindutva publication or reprinting by CfCC, they are: Philosophy, Culture, and Political Economy (1996; 2d ed., 2007). Another is Missionaries in India: Continuities, Changes, Dilemmas P. Solomon Raj, A Christian Folk Religion in India: A Study of (1994), by , a prominent Indian economist and politi- the Small Church Movement in Andhra Pradesh, 2d ed. (2004) cal writer. In it Shourie presents a history of misinterpretations H. L. Richard, Exploring the Depths of the Mystery of Christ: of Hinduism by Christian missionaries. It provoked a vigorous K. Subba Rao’s Eclectic Praxis of Hindu Discipleship to response from Vishal Mangalwadi in his Missionary Conspiracy: Jesus (2005) Letters to a Postmodern Hindu (1996).34 A. Christopher Smith, The Serampore Mission Enterprise (2006) In some cases Festschrifts have made valuable contributions Siga Arles, Missiological Education: An Indian Exploration to mission study. These include volumes honoring the following (2006) individuals: Mathew Philip, The Unique Christ: Dialogue in Mission (2006) Geomon K. George, Religious Pluralism: Challenges for Pen- Ben Wati: Mission and Missions (1998) (mentioned above) tecostalism in India (2006) Brian Wintle: Biblical Theology and Missiological Education M. T. Cherian, Hindutva Agenda and Minority Rights: A in Asia (2005) Christian Response; Study of Hindu Fundamentalism and Sam Kamalesan: World Evangelization and Christian Leader- Its Impact on Secularism in India from 1947 to 1997 (2007) ship (2005) John Parry, The Word of God Is Not Bound: The Encounter of Saphir Athyal: Integral Mission: The Way Forward (2006) Sikhs and Christians in India and the United Kingdom (2009) Narendra John: Striving for Excellence: Educational Ministry D. Arthur Jeyakumar, Christians and the National Movement: in the Church (2007).35 The Memoranda of 1919 and the National Movement, with Special Reference to Protestant Christians in Tamil Nadu, Several consultation reports have appeared as books with 1919–1939 (2009) collections of essays. Wisdom from many scholars has been made Ebenezer D. Dasan, The Impact of the Gospel on the Adivasis available for all to learn from and to incorporate in forming mis- of South Gujarat (2009) sion theology and praxis. An example of this kind of mission Anand Veeraraj and Rachel McDermott, eds., Pilgrims at the studies is Education as Mission (2004), a report of a consultation Crossroads: Asian Indian Christians at the North American held at Ishvani Kendra (Center for the Word of God) in Pune. Frontier (2009) Another is Emerging Indian Missiology: Context and Concept (2006), Siga Arles and I. Ben Wati, eds., Pilgrimage 2100: A Self by Joseph Mattam and Joseph Veliamangalam.36 Such “emerging” Reflection on Indian Evangelicalism (2009; orig. 1995) is accentuated by many initiatives, as identified above. So far, we have only a few textbooks for missiological studies Some of these were Ph.D. dissertations written at major institu- in India. We could mention, however, volumes edited by Sebas- tions such as Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and SATHRI tian Karotemprel, Following Christ in Mission: A Foundational that either were not published or were prohibitively expensive Course in Missiology (1995); Abraham P. Athyal and Dorothy in their original publication. CfCC has brought them out in Yoder Nyce, Mission Today: Challenges and Concerns (1998); affordable editions. It seeks to identify and publish any research Yesudas Athyal, Mission Today: Subaltern Perspectives (2001); and document that is of value for the continuing development of Roger E. Hedlund and Paul Joshua Bhakiaraj, Missiology for the mission in India. Presently, the theses written for the Consortium Twenty-first Century: South Asian Perspectives (2004).37 for Indian Missiological Education (CIME) are being processed S. Devasagayam Ponraj established Mission Educational for publication, the first of which was by Ebenezer Dasan as Books (MEB) in 1987 and has published mission training books noted above. for grass roots missionaries, including the writings of missiol- A second series produced by CfCC is its Missiological Clas- ogy graduates such as Samuel Jeyakumar, J. J. Harris, and J. N. sics Series which reprints significant older works (and some Manokaran. Books published by MEB include: fresh works), making them available to the increasing number of mission students in India. Thus far the series has published S. Devasagayam Ponraj, Introduction to Missionary Anthro- David Bosch, Transforming Mission; Jan Jongeneel, Missiological pology (1993, 2004) Encyclopedia (2 vols.); Luis Bush, The Catalysts of World Evan- J. J. Harris, Evangelicals Are True Ecumenicals (2006) gelization; Stephen McDowell and Mark Beliles, Liberating the Samuel Jeyakumar, Dalit Consciousness and Christian Con- Nations; and Hendrik Kraemer, The Christian Message in a Non- version (1999) Christian World. Forthcoming volumes include G. V. Job et al., J. N. Manokaran, Christ and Cities: Transformation of Urban Rethinking Christianity in India; O. G. Myklebust, The Study of Centres (2005); Christ and Missional Leaders (2007); Christ Mission in Theological Education (2 vols.); and other books by and Transformational Missions (2008); Christ and New authors such as Andrew Walls, Jan Jongeneel, Wilbert Shenk, Generation Youth (2009) Charles Van Engen, and Charles Kraft. M. Ezra Sargunam, ed., Christian Contribution to Nation In 2009 CfCC started the quarterly Contemporary Christian as Building (2006); Mission Mandate II (2006) a means of promoting the publication of relevant themes, case studies, and methodological insights for mission in present-day In 1994 I founded the Centre for Contemporary Christi- India. anity (CfCC), with a vision of working toward the renewal of Overall, mission study in India has steadily progressed. In ministry, mission, and theological education. CfCC initiated the the past it was hobbled by divisions between Roman Catholics, series Studies in the Gospel Interface with Indian Contexts to evangelicals, and those supporting the ecumenical movement. publish mostly postgraduate research documents dealing with Increasingly, however, the various groups have been more will- the Indian situation in mission history and methodology.38 As of ing to learn from each other and have demonstrated a greater

July 2010 161 willingness to engage in cooperative ventures. Mission study together. The missiology we need should be holistic from the start. is occurring more holistically; overall, there is much hope for It should appeal to the total human need and total creation to be Christian mission in India. Some in India do still hold to old-style redeemed. Instead of an unnatural dualistic outlook, we need to conservative thinking, wishing to shape mission in patriarchal or make sure that we view evangelism and social transformation colonial ways. But relevance is becoming a key factor, and many as the two sides of a coin, as the two partners in a wedding.40 are active in research and publication with a goal of helping the Specific tasks and priorities for the future include: church to learn, profiting as much as possible from the modern emphasis on efficiency and productivity. Contemporary humanity • documenting existing indigenous missions and their requires, not a message that is heard as mythological or mystical, work in India but one communicating realistically and authentically about the • developing archives to preserve the available literature God who cares and renews. A missiology of this type, which in • systematizing bibliographic indexing of books and arti- our broken world strives to reflect Jesus Christ, the crucified and cles for research living one, is the kind of Indian missiology that key leaders will • creating a master list of libraries and their holdings increasingly be exploring and fostering in the days to come.39 • collecting oral histories before the present older genera- tion is gone The Future of Mission Studies in India • training proper librarians, archivists, and Web researchers • training a sufficient number of postgraduates to be The church in India has long been introverted and isolated. We teachers could characterize its mission approach as remaining within the • holding consultations to bring together theoreticians and four walls of its respective denominations, relying on pamphlets practitioners and posters to invite people to come to its meetings. Despite the • conducting field research to collect and preserve data voices that emerged asking the church to become involved in for study and missional work nation building, the overarching tendency was to stay away • identifying methods of mission involvement that are from the world (which God so loved) and to try to missionize most relevant in the Indian setting through campaigns, crusades, and conventions. Much of the • overall: developing an authentic, indigenous missiology missionary attempt has been sporadic, based on emotion and for India enthusiasm, without thoughtful training or insightful effort to undergird it. Mission theory itself has been undeveloped— All branches of the church—Roman Catholic, ecumenical, indeed, hardly considered. evangelical, Orthodox, and charismatic—should unite their The need is urgent now for us in India to produce the mis- efforts in constructing a missiology that will lead the way into siology that would make us relevant and effective. Missiology the future. Missiology’s vision should be large, not settling for should be taken up in unity and integrity. Such unity is not to be the narrow goal of expanding a denomination, but aiming confined within the ecclesial community but should spread even high to infiltrate and shape the entire Indian community with to the wider world of our common humanity. Such a venture the salt, light, leaven, and wisdom of the eternal Gospel, truly should bring the theoretician and the practitioner to work closely reflecting Jesus Christ, the living Head of the church.

Notes 1. Cyril Bruce Firth, An Introduction to Indian Church History (Madras: 1969); Robin H. S. Boyd, An Introduction to Indian Christian Theology CLS, for the Indian Theological Library of the Senate of Serampore (Madras: CLS, 1969); Thomas, The Acknowledged Christ (2d ed., College, 1961). Madras: CLS, 1976), see chaps. 1 and 6–8. 2. For information on this period, see Anthony Mathias Mundadan, 8. See www.nccindia.in/aboutncci/vision.htm. History of Christianity in India, vol. 1, From the Beginning Up to the 9. See Kaj Baagø, The History of the National Christian Council of India, Middle of the Sixteenth Century, new ed., and Joseph Thekkedath, 1914–1964 (Nagpur: NCCI, 1965); A. D. Lindsay, Report of the Com- History of Christianity in India, vol. 2, From the Middle of the Sixteenth mission on Christian Higher Education in India (London: Oxford Univ. Century to the End of the Seventeenth Century, new ed. (Bangalore: Press, 1931); J. Waskom Pickett, Christian Mass Movements in India: Church History Association of India, 2001). A Study with Recommendations (New York: Abingdon Press, 1933; 3. A beautifully constructed modern building on the Serampore Col- Lucknow: Lucknow Publishing House, 1934); Charles W. Ranson, lege campus houses the CLRC archives. These are a gold mine for The Christian Minister in India: His Vocation and Training (Madras: mission history, but being difficult to access they are used mostly CLS, 1945; London: Lutterworth Press, 1946). by local research students from universities in West Bengal. The 10. Located at Hyderabad and now named the Henry Martyn author was professor in charge of the CLRC while teaching at the Institute–International Centre for Research, Interfaith Relations, and college from 1998 to 2002. Reconciliation, the institute continues to offer seminars, courses, 4. See the elaborate discussion of the literary debate (both friendly and degree-oriented programs. It also publishes the scholarly Journal and scholarly) between Roy and Marshman in M. M. Thomas, The of the Henry Martyn Institute. Acknowledged Christ of the Indian Renaissance (London: SCM, 1969), 11. K. T. Paul, quoted in H. A. Popley, K. T. Paul: Christian Leader (Calcutta: chap. 1, pp. 1–37. YMCA, 1938). Cf. Thomas, The Acknowledged Christ, pp. 274–75, 283. 5. The educational work of Scottish missionaries Alexander Duff, John 12. See D. Arthur Jeyakumar, Christians and the National Movement: The Wilson, William Miller, and others provided the foundation for the Memoranda of 1919 and the National Movement, with Special Reference nation of India, as well as the mission task of the church. See J. C. to Protestant Christians in Tamil Nadu, 1919–1939 (Calcutta: Punthi Ingleby, Missionaries, Education, and India (Delhi: ISPCK, 2000). Pustak, 1999; repr., Bangalore: CfCC, 2009). This volume is based on 6. Siga Arles, Missiological Education: An Indian Exploration (Bangalore: Jeyakumar’s doctoral thesis submitted to the Senate of Serampore. CfCC, 2006), chap. 2, “Development of Indigenous Christian Theol- 13. See the findings of the Pune conference, summarized in Marcus ogy in India,” pp. 63–73. Ward, Our Theological Task: An Introduction to the Study of Theology 7. Kaj Baagø, Pioneers of Indigenous Christianity in India (Madras: CLS, in India (Madras: CLS, 1946).

162 International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol. 34, No. 3 “The PhD in Intercultural Studies program trains students to be both theologically astute and anthropologically sensitive, so that they can better apply the Word of God critically in any human or cultural context. The faculty are all experts in their own right, and they contribute to the richness of the program not only by their theological insights but also by their years of significant intercultural experience. The diversity of the students, both in terms of their cultural background and their cross-cultural ministry experience, creates a unique community where theological and missiological thinking is forged in a highly stimulating context.” —Doctoral student How-Chuang Chua came to Trinity after four years of church planting work as a missionary in Japan.

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IBMR Trinity Evangelical Divinity School 05 | 13 | 2009 [email protected] 14. See Hendrik Kraemer, The Christian Message in a Non-Christian World Growth in Indian Mission Context (1991); Church Planting Approach to (London: Edinburgh House Press, 1938; repr., Bangalore: CfCC, Mission: Principles and Practices of Planting Churches in an Indian Rural 2009), written in preparation for the 1938 meeting of the International Context (1991); and An Introduction to Missionary Anthropology: The Missionary Council, held in , India. Principles and Practices of Communication of the Gospel in Cross-Cultural 15. P. D. Devanandan, “Report from the Christian Institute for the Study Contexts of India (1993). Thanzauva’s volumes were published in of Society” (1951), quoted in Arles, Missiological Education, p. 77. Bangalore by the Asian Trading Corporation for the Academy of 16. E. Stanley Jones, “On the Tambaram Conference,” Guardian, March Integrated Christian Studies, Aizawl. 23, 1939, p. 164. 29. John C. B. Webster, The Dalit Christians, 2d ed. (Delhi: ISPCK, 1994); 17. Philip Potter, “Jubilee Convention Address,” Religion and Society 30, V. Devasahayam, ed., Frontiers of Dalit Theology (Delhi: ISPCK, 1997); nos. 3–4 (1983): 2. Samuel Jayakumar, Dalit Consciousness and Christian Conversion 18. For bibliographic data, see Arles, Missiological Education, entries for (Delhi: ISPCK; Chennai: MEB, 1999); Laxmi N. Berwa, Asian Dalit P. D. Devanandan and M. M. Thomas. Also consult A Catalogue of Solidarity (Delhi: ISPCK, for Dalit Liberation Education Trust, Chennai, CISRS Publications: A Complete Listing of CISRS Publications, 1953–2006 2000); James Massey and Samson Prabhakar, eds., Frontiers in Dalit (Bangalore: CISRS, 2007). Hermeneutics (Bangalore: BTESSC/SATHRI, 2005); A. M. Abraham 19. See Arles, Missiological Education, chap. 6, “The Contribution of the Ayrookuzhiel, Essays on Dalits, Religion, and Liberation (Bangalore: Ecumenical Christian Centre,” pp. 129–39. The reports, books, and Asian Trading Corporation, 2006); V. V. Thomas, Dalit Pentecostalism journal that follow can be obtained directly from the ECC. (Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, 2008). 20. There were several streams in this textbook series. They were writ- 30. See C. V. Elliott, Too Great . . . to Count: A History of God’s Faithfulness ten by various authors, edited by the committee, published by the Through COUNT (Secunderabad: Count Ministries, 2003); see also Senate of Serampore College, and printed by the CLS, Madras. Siga Arles and Gollapalli John, eds., Transforming Links for Mission 21. The UBS Centre for Mission Studies publishes these volumes in (Hyderabad: COUNT, 2003). collaboration with ISPCK. The author has contributed several articles 31. D. Sathyaraj, ed., Transforming the Indian Cities (Hyderabad: IMA, to this series, including “Perspectives on Theological Education,” in 2004). The Church in India, ed. F. Hrangkhuma and Sebastian Kim (Delhi: 32. Publication details: Jeganathan (Chennai: Church of South India, ISPCK, 1996), pp. 194–206; “The Place of Missiology in Theological Department of Mission and Evangelism, 2002); Blaufuss (Frankfurt: Education,” in Leadership and Mission, ed. Mark T. B. Laing (Delhi: Peter Lang, 2003); and Balasundaram (Bangalore: Asian Trading ISPCK, 2004), pp. 169–83; and “Historical Developments of Corporation, 1993). Missiological Education in India” and “Impact of the International 33. The first edition, published in Frankfurt by Peter Lang, was too expen- Missionary Council in Reshaping Missiological Education,” in sive for wider circulation. I therefore prepared a second edition, pub- Missiological Education, ed. Ebenezer D. Dasan and Frampton F. Fox lished in Bangalore by the CfCC. It includes an epilogue covering (Delhi: ISPCK, 2009), pp. 1–26 and 27–38. developments from 1987 to 2005. 22. Mission and Missions, ed. Jey J. Kanagaraj (Pune: UBS, 1998). 34. Publication details: Ilaiah (Calcutta: Samya, 1996; 2d ed., 2005), 23. V. Devasahayam, ed., Frontiers of Dalit Theology (Madras: Gurukul Shourie (New Delhi: ASA Publications, 1994; Rupa, 2006), and Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute; Delhi: ISPCK, Mangalwadi (Mussoorie: Nivedit Good Books, 1996). 1997); Victor Premasagar, ed., New Horizons in Christian Mission 35. Siga Arles, Ashish Chrispal, Paul Mohan Raj, eds., Biblical Theology (Chennai: Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research and Missiological Education in Asia (Bangalore: Asia Theological Institute, 1999); and Herbert E. Hoefer, ed., Debate on Mission Association, TBT, and CfCC, 2005); J. T. K. Daniel, ed., World (Kilpauk, Madras: Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Evangelization and Christian Leadership (Delhi: ISPCK, 2005); C. V. Research Institute, 1979). Matthew, ed., Integral Mission (Tiruvalla, Kerala: Christava Sahitya 24. Lalsangkima Pachuau, ed., Ecumenical Missiology (Bangalore: Samiti, 2006); and Siga Arles and Brian Wintle, eds., Striving for United Theological College, 2002). Excellence (Bangalore: CfCC, for ATA, 2007). 25. These books are available from FOIM. The earlier volumes were 36. L. Stanislaus, ed., Education as Mission (Delhi: ISPCK, for Ishvani printed by St Paul’s, , and the later ones were published Kendra, Pune, 2004); J. Mattam and J. Veliamangalam, Emerging by ISPCK, Delhi. Indian Missiology (Delhi: ISPCK, for FOIM, 2006). 26. James Massey and Samson Prabhakar, eds., Frontiers in Dalit 37. Publication details: Karotemprel (Bombay: Pauline Publications, Hermeneutics (Bangalore: BTESSC/SATHRI; Delhi: CDSS, 2005); 1995), Athyal and Nyce (Chennai: Gurukul, 1998), Athyal (Tiruvalla, Samson Prabhakar, ed., Mission in the Past and Present (Bangalore: Kerala: CSS, 2001), and Hedlund and Bhakiaraj (Delhi: ISPCK, for BTESSC/SATHRI, 2006). Mylapore Institute of Indigenous Studies, 2004). 27. Publication details are as follows: Kumari, ed. (Chennai: Gurukul 38. To order CfCC publications, contact the Centre at Cfcc94@gmail Lutheran Theological College, 1999); Meshack, ed. (Tiruvalla: .com. Christava Sahitya Samthi, 2007); Ralte et al., Women Re-shaping 39. Such a missiology was explored by the International Association Theology (Bangalore: United Theological College; Delhi: ISPCK, for Mission Studies (IAMS) at its tenth conference, held in 2000 in 1998) and Envisioning a New Heaven and a New Earth (Nagpur: Hammanskraall, South Africa, under the theme “Reflecting Jesus NCCI; Delhi: ISPCK, 1998). Christ: Crucified and Living in a Broken World.” For an account 28. The volumes edited by Hrangkhuma are a SAIACS consultation of this conference and also IAMS, see Siga Arles, “Reflecting Jesus report and a FOIM conference volume; both were published in Ban- Christ—Crucified and Living in a Broken World: A Report of the galore. Longchar’s titles were published in Jorhat, Assam, by the Tenth IAMS Conference,” in Indian Journal of Theology 42, no. 2 Tribal Study Centre, Eastern Theological College. Ponraj’s volume (2000): 212–23. was published in Chennai by Mission Educational Books (MEB), 40. This was exactly the point made in Lausanne Occasional Paper an initiative to produce mission training books for grassroots 21 (1982): Evangelism and Social Responsibility: An Evangelical missionaries of India. Also in the MEB series Ponraj has published Commitment, a joint publication of the Lausanne Committee for Church Growth Studies in Mission: Principles and Practices of Church World Evangelization and the World Evangelical Fellowship.

164 International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol. 34, No. 3