Publisher's Synopsis
Description: Since its earliest inception the Christian Church has had to address the question of what common ground exists between Christian faiths and other religions. In the world we live in today we struggle desperately for social harmony amidst growing religious fundamentalism and militancy. This issue is not merely of academic interest but one with critical existential and socio-political consequences. Is there a way of relating Christian faith and experience to other religions that ascribes genuine value to the religious experience of people of other faiths while affirming the essential truth claims of the Christian faith? This study presents a case for the revitalization of the fulfillment tradition based on a recovery and assessment of the fulfillment approaches of Indian Christian converts in the pre-independence period. It focuses on the views of Krishna Mohan Banerjea and Sadhu Sundar Singh. The fulfillment approaches of Indian converts help authenticate the plausibility of fulfillment theology, by confirming its adequacy over alternative explanations and affirming the particular truth claims of the Christian faith, whilst also ascribing genuine value to the religious traditions and experience of people of other faiths. Endorsements: ""One of the critical challenges facing the church in Asia today is that of finding the best way to articulate and live the message of Christ so that our peoples will realize that it provides the answer to their own quests. Dr Ivan Satyavrata has done us a great service by describing three seminal thinkers from the recent past who have sought to do this."" Ajith Fernando, Teaching Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka ""Satyavrata offers a pathway that effectively navigates the age old tension of finding common ground between Christian faith and other religious traditions in a proposal which affirms the particular truth claims of Christianity, while recognizing the genuine worth of other historic faith traditions. Satyavrata's clarion voice offers historically tested, philosophically astute, and biblically grounded reflections to empower the global church."" Byron Klaus, President of The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield, USA ""Rev. Dr. Ivan Satyavrata exhibits a rare quality of an astute theological thinker and a Churchman who is passionate to communicate Christ in ways that are scripturally faithful and contextually relevant. A must read for theologians and mission workers."" Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, General Secretary Evangelical Fellowship of India and Asia Evangelical Alliance ""Satyavrata's study will definitely serve Christian theologians and missiologists reflecting on the relationship of Christianity to the world religions, most especially to Hinduism. Satyavrata carefully demonstrates the fruitful transformation of Protestant European fulfillment theology (Farquhar) in pre-independent India, through the work of two Indian converts such as Banerjea and Sundar Singh. Satyavrata ends his study with a much-needed robust defense of the fulfillment approach and indicates its importance for the future of Christianity in a pluralist world. Satyavrata is balanced and judicious, clear and robust. He revives an important theological tradition that has ancient roots. This is a most important book."" Professor Gavin D'Costa, University of Bristol, UK About the Contributor(s): Ivan M. Satyavrata serves as Senior Pastor of the Assembly of God Church in Kolkata, which has close to 4,000 people and a significant social outreach, providing education and basic nutrition for several thousand children in and around the city of Kolkata. He has played an active role in Christian leadership training as President of the Centre for Global Leadership Development (formerly SABC), Bangalore, of which he now serves as Board Chairman, and has recently been invited to serve as International Deputy Director for the Lausanne Movement in South Asia. His chief interest has been in issues rela
