Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 1989 A Proposed Strategy for Evangelizing the Hindus of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Wynall F. Kerr Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Kerr, Wynall F., "A Proposed Strategy for Evangelizing the Hindus of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago" (1989). Dissertation Projects DMin. 684. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/684 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR EVANGELIZING THE HINDUS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO by Wynall F. Kerr Faculty Adviser: Walter B. T. Douglas, Ph.D. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE RESEARCH A Project Report Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR EVANGELIZING THE HINDUS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Name of researcher: Wynall F. Kerr Name and degree of faculty adviser: Walter B. T. Douglas, Ph.D. Date completed: December 1989 Problem Substantial investments been made in the evangelization of Hindus in Trinidad, but have resulted in little success. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Trinidad has not yet developed a well-defined approach to assist pastors and laity in evangelizing Hindus. The purpose of this study was to develop a biblically informed strategy 2 of evangelism that can be used in designing appropriate evangelistic methods. Method The New Testament and other selected literature have suggested a strategy and methods of evangelism that were used for evangelizing particular peoples or groups of people, and these might inform the mission of the Seventh- day Adventist Church in Trinidad to Hindus there. This project report has four sections: (1) a study of biblical and theological understanding of evangelism (2) a survey of Hinduism in Trinidad, (3) a survey of selected literature concerning principles for evangelizing Hindus, and (4) the development of an intentional, workable strategy and programs for evangelizing the Hindus of Trinidad. Conclusion The pastors and church members who attempt to evangelize Hindus of Trinidad need a definitive strategy so that evangelistic methods used intentionally. A study of Matt 28:18-20 reveals all disciples of Jesus are to evangelize everyone everywhere. The response to this gospel commission recorded in the Acts of the Apostles reveals that the apostles: (1) moved from the less difficult to the more difficult situations; (2) surrendered to the ministry of the Holy Spirit; (3) went 3 to wherever the people were; (4) appropriately contextualized their evangelistic methods; and (5) employed the people-movement approach to those with little or no exposure to the gospel. They made no attempt to customize Christianity. Seventh-day Adventists in Trinidad, to effectively evangelize the Hindus there, need to: (1) develop a positive attitude towards cultures, and Hinduism; (2) use strategy for evangelizing the Hindus that provides the needed parameters for innovation and experimenting with a variety of methods; (3) encourage Seventh-day Adventist of East Indian descent to evangelize Hindus; and (4) observe the principles of indigenization and contextualization. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR EVANGELIZING THE HINDUS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO A Project Report Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Wynall F. Kerr December 1989 C Copyright 1989, Wynall F Kerr All Rights Reserved A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR EVANGELIZING THE HINDUS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO A project report presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Wynall F. Kerr APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Dean, SDA Theological Seminary / Steven P. Vitrano Date Approved TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................... ix Chapter I. INTRODUCTION................................. 1 Purpose of the Project..................... 1 Justifications for the Project............. l Limitations of the Project................. 6 Organization of the Project................ 8 Definition of Terms........................ 9 PART I A BASIC THEOLOGY OF EVANGELISM AMONG THE HINDUS IN THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO II. DEFINITION AND THEOLOGY OF EVANGELISM........ 13 Introduction....................... 13 Towards a Theological and Biblical Understanding of Evangelism............. 14 Jesus' Evangelistic Commission........... 19 Introduction........................... 19 Setting................................ 20 Go..................................... 21 Make Disciples......................... 24 All Nations............................ 28 Baptizing.............................. 29 Teaching............................... 30 All Things............................. 31 Conclusion.... ......... 31 An Evangelistic Strategy from the Book of Acts....................... 32 Introduction................. 32 The Book Acts of the Apostles.......... 3 3 The Commission......................... 34 Strategy Defined....................... 35 Ministry in Jerusalem (Acts 2-7)....... 36 At Pentecost (Acts 2)............. 36 Solomon's Porch (Acts 3,4)......... 38 Stephen (Acts 6:8-7:60)............ 39 iii 4 Conclusions........................ 40 Ministry in Judea and Samaria.......... 4 0 Strategic Reorganization (Acts 6:1-7)................. 40 Ministry in Samaria (Acts 8:1-13)... 42 Ministry in Judea (Acts 9:32-11:30). 44 Ministry to the Uttermost Parts of the Earth (Acts 13-20)................. 46 By the Riverside (Acts 16:14,15).... 47 The Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:16-34)................ 48 Athens (Acts 17:15-34.............. 48 Corinth (Acts 18:1-11)............. 50 Conclusion........... .............. 51 Household\Family Evangelism................ 53 Selected Old Testament Parallels........... 56 Summary................................ 57 The Related Implications of Matt 10:34-37... 58 All Things to All Men (1 Cor 9:19-23)...... 60 Conclusion............................ 64 III. TRINIDAD AND HINDUISM........................ 67 Introduction........................ ........ 67 Historical Background of Hinduism in Trinidad................ ............ 70 Trinidad in Historical Perspective..... 70 The East Indians....................... 72 Socio-Cultural Context............. 75 Kinship and Family............. 75 Culture...... .................. 78 Education. .............. 81 East Indians and Their Neighbors.... 82 Hindu Sects in Trinidad.................... 84 Sanatan Dharma......................... 85 Ary a Samaj............................. 86 Kabir Panth............. ............... 87 Seunerinis (Seunarianiers) or Siva Naryanis................... 87 Prominent Features of Hinduism................. 88 Major Hindu Scriptures..................... 88 Primary Hindu Scriptures........... 88 The Vedas.......................... 88 Secondary Hindu Scriptures............. 89 The Upanishads..................... 90 The Two Epics........ 91 The Ramayana................... 92 The Mahabharata................ 92 Bhagavad Gita...................... 93 Cannonization of Hindu Scriptures,. 93 The Bhagavad Gita.................. 95 Hindu Dieties.............................. 96 iv Brahman................................. 97 The Triad............................... 98 Vishnu....... ...................... 98 Brahma............................. 99 Shiva............................ 99 Ashvins................................ 100 Dieties of the Lower Order..... /....... 100 "Religious" Beliefs and Practices.......... 101 Creation............................... 101 The Doctrine of Man.............. ...... 103 Hindu Social Orders.................... 105 Hindu Spiritual Orders.... ............. 109 Worship in Hinduism........................ 110 Religious Leaders..... ................. 110 Priests............................ 110 Gurus................. ............. Ill Astrologers................. ....... Ill Pandits/Pundits.................... Ill Sadhus............................. Ill Swami.............................. 112 Sannyasin. ........... 112 Yogi............................... 112 Nau........................ 112 Worship Services and Ceremonies......... 112 Pujas.............................. 114 Celebration of Samskarus........... 117 Pilgrimages........................ 118 Festivals.......................... 119 Dharma................................. 12 0 Salvation in Hinduism (Yogas).............. 122 Pecularities of Trinidad's Hinduism as Compared with India's Hinduism............. 124 Differences and Similarities between Hinduism and Seventh-day Adventism.................. 128 God..................... 129 Trinity.................................... 13 0 Scripture.................. ................ 13 0 Worship.................................... 131 Sin................................... 132 Creation................................... 132 Humanity.............................. ..... 13 3 Salvation.................................. 134 Evangelism................................. 135 Conclusion...................................... 136 IV. REVIEW OF SELECTED LITERATURE.....