The Church of Christ

(Based on the Word of God; dedicated to the promotion of independence, Indianisation, unity, co-operation, and to the removal of corruption and evil in all forms and in all places.)

Money Changers

The main work of Christ on earth was devoted to beating the “money changers” out of the temples. He called them vipers, hypocrites, liars and thieves; and stated that one tenth of one percent was usury. He condemned them for using religion to make themselves wealthy. He continued to interfere with the money changers until they crucified Him.

Today we believe that Jesus is God and that He died for our sins; our “redemption.” Actually He died because He condemned the moneymakers for using their religion to gain power over the people. Today we find that same type of viper, thieves, hypocrites and liars who have succeeded in boarding money in Banks and investing capital on paying business concerns by the use of religions symbols. We find the working people of this nation are required to pay tribute to these vipers and thieves to tune of thousands each year in usury (interest). This tribute does not buy the tribute payers one single thing. Adding the national taxes, the state debts, school bonds, municipal taxes, and personal debts we find the working people paying tribute to the merciless vipers.

Today we see the very type of vipers Christ condemned scattered over the earth; the international bankers, the Papa and his army of mother and father crackers; the Mormons and their money-raisers, the Protest Ants and their money grabbers; and thousands of other belly-coats using religion to obtain for themselves lives of ease and splendour and the worship of millions of their victims. Therein lies the basic causes of wars, poverty, crime, corruption, lies, theft, murder and human suffering.

Christ lost His war against the liars, thieves and hypocrites, and today we are engaged in that same losing war against the same theories Christ contended with. We too are losing. To the millions of victims of their own deceptions: do like Christ did (take a whip and run the thieves out of your samples).

— The Crusader.

What Kind of Church?

(continued from previous issue)

by M.R. Modak

Sources of Church Dogma and Practice

The dogmas and practices of the church were finalised at the council of Nicaea in 325, the main line of the church continuing today in line with Nicaea, various schisms occurring as time went on. The teaching and practices finalised at Nicaea were derived from several sources - the Hebrew religion, Greek thought and religion, the pre-Christian religions of the Mediterranean world, and the Roman government. The Church as we know it today, including its many schisms, came out of this cultural mileu. We cannot understand our church correctly unless we understand its sources and without such understanding the leaders of the Christian church cannot guide its development. Or, is the Indian church to contain on the same path it has been taking and remain a foreign institute one which emphasises intellectual belief?

The Spirit of Plato who followed Socrates, pervaded the mind and upper classes of the Mediterranean world throughout the first millennium of the church. It was in the climate of Plato, and later of Aristotle, that the thought of the day went on, and out of which the major portion of Christian dogma arose. Rome had conquered Greece but Greek culture conquered Rome. (Likewise I sometime think that Britain conquered India, but Indian culture conquered Britain). Paul was educated in Greek thought and preached from that view point, creating biblical theology in the Greek mould. Every educated person was steeped in Greek thought. Leaders of the Hebrew religion as well as Christians adjusted their religious belief and practices to Greek. Philo, writing in the century, remained a Jew but explained the Old Testament in terms of Greek philosophy and with Greek dialectic.

The God of the Christians came to be described as the Greek Zeus, an old man with flowing white beard and hair, sitting in gold and marble chair in the sky. Heaven, to the Christians was like Greek cities, paved with gold, and banquet and music were enjoyed there as the Greek gods enjoyed them - symbol to the educated, facts to the uneducated. The book of Revelation in the New Testament is written in symbols of this period, symbol for whose meanings we have little clue, whatever some church leaders may claim as to its meaning.

The Greek philosopher, also an eloquent speaker and writer, gave the final word on all subjects, a function taken over by the bishops of the Christian church, ‘bishop’ itself being a Greek term. What the bishops enunciated was true, and none else, and no one had the right to think or speak otherwise. If he did so he was branded a heretic. The voice of the prophet had ceased in the church by the end of the 4th century, and he who dared to speak as a prophet in later centuries was excommunicated and burned at the stake; the preacher using acceptable dialectic uttered the “truth”. Belief, agreement with the bishops, was required.

As early as the 2nd century the simplicity of the Gospel had been transformed into a philosophy of religion. Christianity entered into Greek theory and the two were fused, the fusion settled by the bishops.

The profound belief of the Hebrews in God as the Creator was elaborated. The mode of creation, the precise relation of God to the material world, how imperfection and pain entered God’s creation - these and other problems arose due to Greek influence. Ideas on these questions were put forth, leaders proposing different answers until the Nicene conference by vote worked out an intricate and minute theology, and intellectual agreement with it or against it constituted the basis of Christian belief or heresy. Belief, conformity, not a life lived as Jesus had commanded, was the standard and has continued to be until this day, in the minds of altogether too many Christians.

A powerful bishop, Athanagoras, stated in this period in defence of the Nicene Creed, “They are not atheists who believe in One (Jesus) who is unbegotten, incomprehensible…” How far the church had strayed from the simple statement about Jesus in the New Testament! Even the gods of the Mediterranean world and their images were taken over into Christianity as saints! And Mary became the new name for the mother-goddess of primitive society. As the Greek world did not understand the Hebrew term Messiah, a Greek term was substituted - Christ.

Church practices were, and still are, largely based on the Mystery religions of that day. These religions were probably survivals of the oldest religions of the area, and were reworked in line with the trends of the day because the common people were not satisfied by philosophical discussion, with theology or the form ritual of Greek temples.

When the church of later period is considered, we are tempted to feel that the Roman Empire and the Mediterranean world robbed the church of its spiritual content.

Much more could be written about the manner in which the church took over beliefs and practices from Greek philosophy, the Mysteries, the pomp of the empire, temple worship, the political power of the empire. Much also could be written concerning the influence of Jesus upon the morality of the times, but this article is meant to set forth only the background of the church.

How is all this related to the Indian church in 1972? The answer is ho be given by the leaders of the church. A few questions may be raised as a guide. We will do well to remember the history shows that Christianity has not won any great victories since its basis changed; that its victories were won by preaching, no Greek metaphysics but by the love of God and the love of man. Should the emphasis in the church be laid on belief or on conduct?

As the western church evolved out of Greek and Roman thought and practice, should the Indian church look to its Hindu and Muslim climate ?

Should the Indian church make use of Roman and Greek thought and practice, or of Hindu and Muslim thought and practice?

Should Greek metaphysics continue to be the basis of Indian belief? Or, should the Indian church work out its own beliefs and practices?

If the Abyssinian and Greek churches today can maintain their own beliefs and practices, dissimilar in important items, and at the same time be part of the Universal Church, why should not the Indian church have its own individuality while remaining related to the churches in other cultures?

When I see India the popularity of special western ways question as to who was defeated in 1947 — India or Great Britain?

(concluded)

(While belief is necessary for keeping truth in order conduct is certainly to be emphasised. The Indian Church to be a living saving force must have its own soul and distinctiveness and discriminately but vitally related to Indian culture. — Editor)

Jesus Christ Came to India?

In the issue of 5th February, 1973 of the Northern India Patrika, Allahabad, there appeared a statement written by O.N. Koul, under the caption “Jesus Christ buried in Kashmir” printed on page 4.

In the interest of truth may I say that this belief that Christ came to India (specially in Kashmir and Ladak) is a purely imaginary fabrication and an instance of wishful thinking. Mr. Koul draws on material from a book named “Mysteries of Kashmir” by one Dr. Yasin, who in turn depends on Mirza Gulam Ahmed of the Punjab. Mr. Koul writes that the fires attempt at asserting that Jesus Christ died and is buried in Kashmir was made by the Mirza. Now, assertion does not make history. Does it? What about the assertion of the disciples of Christ who lived with him and have left witness in the four Gospels (Injil) to the Life, searching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? And the Mirza lived and died in a distant India eighteen hundred years after the first disciples of Palestine, which is history? Mirza’s figment of imagination or the simple prosaic narrations of the disciples? Moreover, Roman and Jewish historians accepted the death of Christ by crucifixion under the Roman Governor of Palestine - Pilate.

Mention is made of “the Diaries of the Moravian Mission in Ladak” without giving any specific references do chapter and verse. The quotation does not make it clear whether the Moravian Missionaries ever believed that Jesus came there or they just put down in their diaries the hearsay about his coming. Nor does it mention how old these diaries are so that others may verify. Jesus Christ who came to redeem the poor, the deprived, the enslaved, the sorrowful and sinners and himself was born and nurtured in poverty cannot be said to glory in the idea of being buried in the majestic natural beauty of Kashmir. Did Christ come to seek historically for “the lost tribes of Israel” or for all mankind to save them from sin and misery? The passage is misinterpreted by taking it literally. It was used by Christ symbolically meaning men lost in sin and ignorance and sorrow. Dr. Yasin quotes Jawaharlal who belonged to the 20th century and made a nebulous remark that nothing is inherently improbable about Christ’s travels in Kashmir. But is it historically probable? That is the right question.

Mirza was a modern reformer of Islam. Most Muslims repudiate him. He had ulterior motives in denying Christ’s death on the cross. The essential doctrines of Christianity viz., Death, Atonement, Resurrection of Christ - would fall on the ground and the churches consistent progress would be halted. Nothing of the sort has happened. Christianity increased 200 percent in his own province. The whole universal church comprising 200 crores of human beings including great scholars, scientists and historians, have believed and acted upon the great truths of Christ’s atoning death and Resurrection for well-nigh two thousand years and their faith has throughout stood justice by saintliness, service, charity and leaving. Is the faith and knowledge, based on the evidences and witnesses of the direct and first apostles of Jesus Christ, history or Mirza Gulam’s interested and motivated theory history? Before he spread this myth no Hindu scholars or ordinary citizen of India ever had the idea.

Indeed, an important apostle of Christ St. Thomas visited India and died here. He came first to Kandahar a Greek Kingdom of Gandharan Raj around 50 A.D. He may have visited Kashmir and the people might have confused him with his master Jesus.

The tomb in Kashmir in Yar Khan area of Srinagar is in fact that of an Egyptian Muslim saint named Oussea. After the fantastic claim of Mirza it got confused in the popular mind with the name Jesus — Yessus in the original.

We had extensive and intensive investigations make (1950-1960) under a careful scholar - Swami Atmanand — in Ladak, Kashmir and in important Libraries of India and Eastern Tibet and of the Dalai Lama in regard to this question and came to the conclusion that there was no historical proof of Christ having come to India.

[This rejoinder was not entertained by either the N.I. Patriks or by the Amrita Bazar Patrika of Calcutta. - Editor]

Letters

A. Rev. P.K. Adhicary

Peace and Good Will Mission,
Duff Church (C.N.I.)
127, Manicktola Street,
Calcutta-6, 10.4-1973.

To:

The Venerable Acharya R.C. Das, M.A.,
Khristpanthi Ashram, Varanasi.

Most Venerable Sir,

Since my retirement as Pastor of Duff Church my humble self with a dedicated band have started preaching the Gospel of Christ to bring the salvation message to our non-Christians, brothers and sisters and to bring peace into troubled hearts and good will among all. Our method is indigenous, our sources are local. We are preaching the Gospel of reconciliation between men and God and between man and man. We are praying for the sick and relieving victims attacked by evil spirit as directed by the Risen Christ, Who is cur Lord. We are also helping the needy, the unemployed and brothers and sisters in difficulties irrespective of caste and creed. We are visiting non-Christian friends at home, participating at the All Faith Prayer meetings. We are writing original religions books and tracts suitable for the country and for the time. We keep contact with all enquirers and give them proper teaching. We are in fellowship with all the members in the Church of Christ being loyal to our denomination individually. Ours is a humble attempt to present Jesus Christ in such a way that He may be accepted as our own and not an imaginary foreign Christ. You have always placed before as such ideals, and we are following it to fulfil the last command of Christ “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” We want your blessing and your prayers, and the blessings and prayers of all the brothers and sisters who care for the peace and good will of the people in the world today and specially in our mother country.

We shall send you occasional reports of our work. You may give publicity of our Mission.

I trust this will find you in better health and in the best of Spirit. We shall explore the possibility of setting up an Ashram in a suitable place. With kindest regards,

Yours affectionately,

Rev. P.K. Adhicary.

(We commend Rev. P. Adhicary and his colleagues first to our loving God who has perpetual concern for the sinning and needy humanity. Secondly to the prayer and generosity of all believing Christians. The plan is significant in there care, especially in big cities and religious centres. We have yearned and prayed for some such work in Bengal over the years. Maybe this is the way God is fuelling our prayers. We have known Brother Adhicary for many years since his days as Headmaster of schools and then during his long pastoral ministry. We have noted his loving nature, humility, faithfulness and evangelical earnestness. We have always held him in high esteem. May God, with his grace enable him and his associates to realise the noble objects and ideals they have set before them. - Editor).

B. Rao Sahib K. Subba Rao

P.O. Munipalle, Via P. Tadiparru,
Guntur District, A.P., 5-4-1

My dear and respected Acharya,

I have gone through your “The Church of Christ” 1973, No. 1 and found it interesting, especially your article “Evangelicals”. After going through I came to know about the seriousness of your condition in Dec. 1972. You may be prepared to go or not. As long as you are necessary for the Lord, you cannot die. If people of your kind die how can He manage the world for His work. As long as we for Him, we cannot die. Living for ourselves leads to death. How can we dismiss a useful servant? May you live many more years for Him. Who is Smt. M.R. Modak? Where does she live? I have gone through her writing. Let her not be disheartened. These so-called churches, missionaries, bishops, religions cannot hide Christ. Christ is with us and will be with as in spite of all these things. In fact, they are spoiling His work, but He goes on. Advice her not to mind all such things. Tell her to let Him to live in her. Let our bodies be temples of Christ. Let us live and die for Him, leaving the things to them. I always exhort our people to live like Him and die like Him. That is my religion, that is my baptism and that is my everything.

Dear Acharya, may you live for many more years for His sake,

Yours for Christ’s sake,

Rao Sahib K. Subba Rao

C. Probodh Kumar Adhicary

Duff Church, (C.N.I)
127, Maniktala Street,
Calcutta-6,

9-4-1973

Very Reverend Acharya Das,

I have derived much joy and encouragement by reading paper the “Church of Christ” No. 1, 1973. In reality the fellowship with the genuine members and saints of the Church of Christ is the true fellowship. I firmly believe in it and that is why your liberal ideology has always attracted me. You have never created any obstacle in the path of the Church’s progress. Rather you have put forth your earnest efforts for the prosperity of the Church in an indigenous way and for the expansion of the Church by good councils and firm faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Though weak in body you are strong in spirit. It will be an insult to you to say that you are old and weak. The Lord and God whom you and I (70) adore is ever new. How can WE be old? I have obtained this faith and spiritual experience from you. I really want that you live for a hundred years.

I am in perfect peace in the fellowship of all believer in the Church of Christ and hope that the Church of North India will have the same joy. On a meagre monthly allowance with a heart full of reverence, love and interest for you all I have served the Duff Church and other churches too for the past 35 years. I retired in July 1972 and I. am leaving the Duff Church manse this month. God knows where I go. I have no pension, no money, no home. Please remember me in your prayers.

I have decided to preach Christ’s message of peace and have sent you a programme of my future ministry. Please give me your advice. As long as I live I will be in the Church of Christ and serve it. Please pray that I may be kept straight on the path of the Lord in my effort to preach the Gospel and help me by the experience of your long life and ministry of the Gospel.

I will try to meet the expenses of literature production and distribution by the free gifts of generous minded and interested friends. If you think that I am right in trying to approach with the Gospel all people irrespective of religion and caste in an indigenous way through word and print, then please encourage me. We have already published quite a number of tracts and books suitable for distribution.

Admirer of your talents and spiritual gifts, and grateful obedient Brother in Christ,

Probodh Kumar Adhicary.

"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest."

— Matthew 11:28

"My peace I give you and my peace I leave unto you"

— John 14:27

Preaching of Peace and Literature Distribution Society

Objects:

1. To preach the Gospel of peace.
2. Creation of literature on the moral and spiritual life.
3. Publication of a periodical.
4. Participation in religious discussion and meetings.
5. Praying for the sick.
6. Service of the poor and distressed.

Our earnest appeal to all of you who are surrendered in Christ is that you will kindly pray for us and if you feel led to send any gifts our work please address to:

Treasurer,

Michael Mondol,
N 235 Mudially Road,
Calcutta-24.

Director,

P.K. Adhicary,
Church Road,
Krishnagar, (Nadea)
West Bengal.

“Retreat Padre”

By Rao Sahib K. Subba Rao, with an Introduction by Prof. A.F. Thyagaraju, M.A. (London), Principal, Noble College, Machilipatnam, A.P.

Subba Rao is the unbaptised Christian believer and divine healer of Andhra Pradesh. Principal Thyagaraju says in his Introduction that he has made verbal alterations of the original publication eliminating the strong language used by Rao Sahib.

I have read the book thoroughly and feel that his complaints against Padres, are true of many, are true generally and partially. But his thought and words are too sweeping. There are many exceptions for whom the criticisms are unfair. As a critic his language ought to be modified. It is always unfair to condemn a whole community or institution The Church, and for the matter of that any organisation being also human, is defective and liable to criticism. If Brother Rao knew enough of the history of the Church and its missions in different parts of the world he would realise that he is not the first person to attack the clergy. Even in India this criticism started by not only Hindus but by Christian leaders themselves as soon as roughly 150 years ago the pioneering missionaries and their Indian partners succeeded in baptising thousands in cities and villages of India. It is a matter of history that one of the colleagues of William Carey of Serampore became critical and went out to the opposition party led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Within our own experience for over six decades there have been many such critics especially in the south of India. We ourselves being within the system look up the cudgels and beat up Christian workers of various types through writing and speeches as early as 1910. When criticism is fair and constructive, not merely bitter condemnation, but for correction and solution of problems and made in love it is healthy for both parties. It depends on our purpose and spirit. By now Brother Rao has gathered round himself a considerable number of important Christian leaders. He can now take a positive line and go forward in the extension of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

Many Other Points Raised by Rao Sahib

Apart from his undue obsession against Religion, Church membership and Baptism he handles together many other questions some of which I take up and try to answer briefly.

1. “Are the great truths of all religions inspired by God? Or only some? Difference between the fundamentals of the various religions? What other new things does the Bible teach?”

   Firstly, all religions do not teach great truths or any truths at all. History proves it. Comparative Religion enlightens you. Then how will you judge, or who will judge what are the great truths? By what criterion (measuring rod) do you judge — This is truth and that is untruth? There must be an absolute impartial and independent and universal standard of judgment apart from reason and conscience which differ from man to man and religion to religion. e.g., It is axiomatic to almost all Hindus that both polytheism (also idolatry) and caste are great truths — which is flatly denied by Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj, etc. To Sanatan Hindus the Vedas are supra human and infallible. The rest of Hindus deny it. Where is the measuring tape?

   Yes, Where are serious differences between fundamentals. Who judges what are fundamentals? The answers of respective religions are not only different but are inconsistent with one another. e.g., One God and many gods, one humanity and caste, invisible spiritual Person and visible idols of matter, no God (Buddhism) and too much of God (Hinduism), Adwaita of Jnanins and personal communion of Vaeshnavas, etc. Yes, Christianity teaches many new and unique things. Such as, the Fatherhood of God and its corollary the Brotherhood of man (in no religion this truth is so clearly and emphatically taught as in the Bible and practised by Christ and Christians), the anger of God (the indignant and righteous God of the Bible), the suffering God (the suffering Servant of God) these are practically denied by all other religions; the Cross, the Resurrection the Pentecost (descent of the Holy Spirit), Christ the Saviour in fact and in truth, the harmony and converging of all truth in the Truth which is the historical Jesus Christ - the only standard by which you can judge all truths and untruths. Other standards are hazy, uncertain and precarious and mutually contradictory. Christ only gives us Peace based on sacrificial Love, etc.

2. When the Lord Jesus “baptised himself on the Cross cleansed himself on the Cross” etc.

   The Lord neither cleansed himself on the Cross nor in Jordan. He did not need to. He was sinless - perfect. He received water baptism at the hands of John to maintain the creative relation between the past and present of religion and as an example to others who would follow his way. It could be said metaphorically that he was baptised in suffering on the Cross but not in the Holy Spirit. He had already received the Holy Spirit in his water baptism. That is the record in the Gospel. Then in his status as Son of God he was always one with the Holy Spirit.

3. SHEEP STEALING AND RE-BAPTISM

   Among some Missions and some churches is such a minor affair in view of the vast number of Christians and big churches that one should just ignore it. If somebody abuses the holy rite of initiation and public confession, it does not mean that baptism itself is wrong. It is the men who are wrong. So many good things are wrongly used by perverted men.

4. MAKING A LIVING OUT OF GOD’S SERVICE

   All do not do it. There are splendid examples of utter self-abnegation and simplicity. In churches and missions even where paid system for workers is the general rule, the priests and evangelists get only a meagre allowance with no possibility of saving anything. Acharya Das started life as a lecturer and Professor in College on Rs. 50 a month, and the allowance slowly rising at retirement to Rs. 250 as an evangelist for half a century with seven children and wife; then as an Ashram leader for 23 years living on faith with nothing to call his own. There are nobler examples than that within our knowledge.

5. BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

   It does not cancel the need, function and purpose of water baptism. This is plain in the Gospels. Christ did not undergo circumcision voluntarily, but it was done in infancy as his parents were Jews. Had be been born in India he would have gone through many ceremonies and particularly the rite of Upanayana (investing of the sacred thread). But he voluntarily sought baptism. So the argument here is faulty.

6. Yes, Christ conquered “I-NESS AND MY-NESS.”

   And there have been and are many among his followers who have attained the same exaltation. But we cannot expect the average man to rise so high. Sacrifice is not the ONLY essence of “all scriptures.”

7. The disciples of Jesus were not called by the Guru in a vacuum.

   There was a content. They had already been baptised in the Jordan and introduced by the Baptist (Prophet John) to Jesus.

8. “Born of water and of the Spirit.”

   It is clear indication that there is some vital connection between the two — like substance and attributes, reality and appearance. The two currents of water and spirit do not necessarily always run parallel remaining separate but often they co-mingle and run as one stream of power. Saul was converted by the Lord directly at the gate of Damascus. He was soon healed and baptised and the spirit led him to the Desert for a time and then to Europe among the Gentiles. Jesus was superimposed by the Holy Spirit at his water baptism who abode on him as a Dove - symbol of Peace. As far as the records go, the disciples of Jesus - 120 - had all been baptised either by John the Baptist in Jordan or by the apostles in the name of Jesus. It is these people who on the Day of Pentecost were baptised by the Holy Spirit who came in into them as a gushing wind (storm) and as burning fire. Acharya Das quite clearly felt the touch of the Holy Spirit as a leading force at his water baptism. No Christian believes that water cleanses the body only but that the Holy Spirit in a mysterious way works through the water. The water symbolises the cleansing within. The Sanatani Hindu believes in Ganga water in the same way more or less. So there is no question of spiritual baptism standing by itself. It is always connected. Even before Roman Christianity became a full-fledged religion the water and the Spirit went together when Christianity was a faith and a power into salvation - a dynamic and concrete spiritual movement under the leadership of the Apostles.

9. SALVATION 1S THE FREEING OF THE SOUL FROM THE BONDAGE OF THE BODY

   Only in a partial sense. The soul and body are interconnected and interdependent. The soul has to obey the laws of the physique in order to run it smoothly.

10. “Decrying other religions is your religion.”

    The charge against Christians is very unfair today. There was a time when Hinduism was condemned by some Christian preachers. But today you will scarcely find it anywhere. The complaint is a hundred times exaggerated. There are a hundred of Christian scholars and missionaries today who have studied Hinduism with devotion and reverence. Their important books are the proof. They appreciate the truly and excellences of Hinduism as of other religions. More than Christians Hindus themselves have decried and condemned their own ancestral religion. Vaishnavism condemned and rejected the Vedas - Sanatani religion. Buddhism did it by implication. Both are anti-Vedic and rejected their ideas and practices. There is a difference between rational criticism and unreasoning blind condemnation. The former is in order and Christians and everybody else should exercise their critical faculty to sits the truth and better woman life.

11. “Do you admit that she (Mary - mother of Jesus) was blessed though she did not receive your baptism?”

    Who knows she might have been baptised by John the Baptist in Jordan? Absence of record of a fact does not necessarily mean its unreality. Moreover, she must have gone through other ceremonies of the Jewish covenant similar to Baptism such as the Purification. After all she was an exceptional person consecrated and sanctioned by the Holy 8spirit for the unique event of the human formation of the Son of God in her body. On this ground baptism should not be condemned as invalid for others.

12. LAW CERTAINLY DOES NOT SAVE

    But it is a Tutor (as St. Paul puts it) and a preparation for salvation, which is necessary and beneficial. Adults (Christians and others) are baptised after diligent preparation for an efficiently long period of time, after they have confessed their sins and believed in the Lord Jesus and taken a pledge to lead a better life with the help of the Holy Spirit. Infants are baptised when their parents take the responsibility - make the confessions and pledges on their children’s behalf. If in the vast Christian churches and missions some baptism turns out to be fake, it is not very surprising. Mistakes are made and regretted too. Christians do not gloat over unworthy baptisms.

13. THE YOUNG LAWYER

    Who came to Jesus in search of eternal life must have been baptised, like his disciples and waiting for the Light of the world; after having performed his religious duties according to the Law, he was naturally prepared for salvation. Our Lord was pleased and loved him because he fulfilled the Law and wanted perfection. Christ bid him come and follow him but unfortunately he failed. Law has a great role to play in one’s life for spiritual progress. St. Paul perfectly fulfilled the Law and realised its inadequacy, not wrongness.

14. “GRANTING DIVORCE”

    It is a misconception. No Church grants any divorce. It is done by Governments of different countries on application from a party after bearing the case. Government does it for peace and order, to save men and women from perpetually quarrelling and fighting. Like many other things some marriages tarn out to be mistakes. No divorce is granted unless it is lawfully proved that a party is guilty of adultery and cruelty. Most of the churches and the bigger and established ones do not encourage divorced persons to remarry and do not allow such a marriage in a church. Some small denominations or individuals may do it, but the practice is generally unpopular. Some argue, and rightly, that the innocent party in the case should be remarried, if he or she wants it. Any divorced person desiring to remarry will be a disaffected person in a community if denied remarriage. So sometimes it is done to keep peace in society. Church and community or society are not one. Many just hang on to the church as parasites — may be children or relations of good members of the church which keeps its doors open for all to hear the Gospel, perchance to repent and be saved.

15. “Love and sacrifice”

    They are not all the essence of ALL scriptures, but it is of the essence of true religion. There are other elements that go into the making of the essence such as Faith, Hope, holiness, salvation, union with God, service of man irrespective of creed, colour, caste, etc. Of course, love is the most important.

    It would be far fateful to say that the Koran teaches the kind of love as Jesus does. Tripitakas only speak of compassion for living beings nothing about the love of God. Vaishnavism is a rare example of the mad love of God but has done nothing for man. Sanatani Hinduism and the Vedas have given us a hard system of caste for many centuries and a legacy of eight crores of untouchables; where is love? Is this decrying other religions? I hope not. Without a discriminating rational judgment man would be in the darkness of superstition and untruth.

As I have already said Brother Rao is unnecessarily too much obsessed with religion, law, church and baptism. Every truth or faith or a prophet’s message has historically clothed itself with some kind of organisation or constitution for the sake of self-protection and self-propagation. The real problem is how complex or rigid the institution is. Abstract truth or individualistic faith or love without a repository of fellowship is apt to evaporate. Religious and secular history is full of instances of this. For growth and development of spiritual life one needs a fellowship (church), law and discipline sadhana (religion). It is inevitable. As an individual saint or servant of God one is apt to grow into a bigot and egotist. Every living and dynamic and creative truth must have and has a church and religion, for its adequate and proper realisation. Brother Rao indulges in too much ridicule and bitterness is thinly veiled. Power of dealing and personal devotion are only a part of a full Christian life. Other Bhaktas have more important gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let us all be humble and loving, (vide 1 Corinthians 12,13,14).

— R.C. Das

In the Fellowship of Faith and Work

1. With thankfulness to God it in reported that Acharya Das is now much better and is slowly getting stronger. He may be out of Varanasi for a couple of months in the extreme heat of the summer here.

2. Rev. D. Dutt of “India Evangelistic Crusade” (Calcutta) has been invited to West Germany for meetings during the blessed season of Good Friday and Easter. He has already left India.

3. The long awaited “Life of Christ” in colloquial Bengali written by Pastor Dutt’s mother, Mrs. Bins Dutt, has after all seen light. It is a strongly bound book of 450 pages with a significant fronts piece — a picture of our Lord with outstretched hands “Come into Me.” One hopes it will have a good sale both among Christians and Hindus. The title is - “Sri Yisar Antaheen Jivan” (The Endless Life of Jesus).

4. A similar Book in Bengali entitled_“Amrita Porneh Yiga” (The Immortal Person Jesus) with a fascinating and challenging picture is expected to be published soon. It will naturally have a greater attraction for Hindus for the reason that the author is a noted literator of Bengal and a Hindu Bhakta of Christ - Sri Achintya Kumar Sengupta — a retired Sessions Judge. Christians will benefit by it not only because the inner spirit of Christ has been revealed through interpretations of the teaching and the incidents in the life of Christ was also because it is a fine literary product of a polished pen. One expects a large distribution of this book.

5. Sadhu A.N. Sircar is currently holding evangelistic Meetings and Healing Services in Bangalore, Madras and Andhra Pradesh. Sadhu Ishananda S.K. Paul has been preaching to the Adivasis of the district of Phulbani in Orissa.

6. Recently the Rt. Rev. Patrick De Souja of Varanasi arranged in the Parish House a Dialogue between Hindus and Christians. About a hundred persons from Universities, Ashrams, etc., of C.P. gathered (including some communists and socialists and other secular minded persons) and lived and ate and slept together in good fellowship. The authorities provided good hospitality — fine vegetarian food and creature comforts. In quiet and reverent sessions for two complete days they discussed subjects like the Relevance of Religion to modern man and society in respectful language. Besides some inevitable differences of views, there was a large area of agreement. Meditations, prayers and scriptures and songs of praise and prayer were held in simplicity, quiet and reverent atmosphere. One noted an under current of the realisation on the part of many Hindu friends that the power of the living Christ only can meet the present situation in India and the world. There were many Sanyasis (monks) both Hindu and Christian and a number of ladies present. One is thankful for such an occasion.

7. Visitors - Smt. Manorama R Modak of Ahmednagar widow of the late Archbishop Ram Krishna Sahu Modak - President of the (All India Federation of National Churches); Srimati Swami Swarupandji - eminent Sanyasi - Head of the famous “Ayajak Ashram”; Rt. Rev. Alexander Mar Theophilus (Missionary Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church); Rev. Chako - Acharya of the “Christabanthu Ashram”, Satna, M.P.; Dr. N.J. Simon of Madras (Roving Minister of the Gospel); The Little Sisters of the poor (Jesus Ashram).

Notes

1. Editorial Fairness and Journalistic Honesty

In these days of opportunist politics in all departments of life, in Government circles and among the public, there is hardly any fair play, disinterestedness, broadmindedness and even simple honesty in journalism. Editors and managements are partisan and serve the interests of those who pay them without any regard for truth. Correspondents in order to magnify their position and influence with the Press authorities take to dubious means of collecting and communicating new reports, prefer the sensational rather than objective presentation, often report garbled versions or even lies about what actually happens. Hence, there are too many assertions and counter assertions, denials, protest by men in important positions who ought to utilise their time to better profit.

Many editors (including Christians) do not entertain writings - what may go against their narrow self-interests, nor reviews or criticisms of published articles out of communal bias or personal prejudice. Yet this kind of Press have claimed and been granted freedom of expression and journalistic impunity. This is abuse of freedom and non-liability. Perhaps some of them do not understand the meaning and responsibility of freedom. They exploit is for unholy purposes or personal and party gains. In sadness one recalls the name of a versatile editor like William Stead of the “Review of Reviews”, London, or the late Ramananda Chatterjee of Calcutta. One feels grateful and exalted for the precious memory of their strict attachment to truth and honesty conjoined with liberalness of spirit and breadth of outlook. Can we expect the rise of a fearless and fair Press in India in rebuilding her into an integrated nation with all her vast and complex problems of communalism, caste, regionalism, racism, moral debility, corruption, selfish quarrels, superstition and irreligion?

2. Evangelical Methods

1. Literature distribution alone or mainly is not a substitute for personal contact and friendship, or Bible study with prayer and song, or with Dialogue and sharing of experience. Literature can be utterly impersonal as it is with many evangelical groups. It indicates timidity, unsureness of the evangelists faith, so a distance method like distribution of literature, (good, bad, indifferent), on a huge wasteful scale is resorted to. The evangelist is afraid of contact especially with a Hindu. While this is an evangelical show of good Christian service, it is in reality a shallow propaganda. Literature should be used sparingly and with prayer lead, as a means, to a personal relation between the evangelist and his enquirer. Literature should never be an end but only an instrument.

2. Penetration into a City or village or a community is not possible only with mass-media, publicity and propaganda on the streets, in halls and churches, and in open plans. Mass-media only cover the surface and give the idea of occupation. In true effective evangelisation personal touch is the only way. The use of mass-media implies that you take a community encase and not through individuals. Publicity through mass-media can have a limited use and scope. 99% of our evangelistic approach should be personal and that would be true penetration. Evangelists should be trained mainly in the use of the personal method. It is dangerous to think that you have done your duty and fulfilled your task when you have preached to large audiences in spacious surroundings.

3. Unity in Christ: Its Contents

Among some Christians who are more rationalistic than ritualistic, especially in the free churches and dissenting non-conformists and Christians who are lumped together as evangelicals, the idea prevails has Christian unity is only spiritual and in the heart. They ever strongly that unity in Christ is the only true unity.

Now, to argue factually: are there not in all churches ranging from Catholics to Pentecostals, in all groups and sects and denominations — men who claim to be in Christ and are accepted as such? Then why is there no fellowship among them all? There is mutual condemnation among them.

What is the meaning of unity in Christ or abiding in Christ? Is it only unity in the Holy Trinity or unity of believers with each person of the Trinity? If our unity with Christ or with the Father be true and honest, will it not extend to unity among all believers? All will agree that it will lead to unity among all disciples of Christ.

Does it mean that only one group claiming this unity in Christ and denying it to others (as is the case with the so-called “All-One-in Christ Church Fellowship” of Sri Somaddar of W.B.) is the only true group in true faith? Now every group claiming this unity and condemning other churches as not in Christ has created a veritable pandemonium. Why are there not practical unity and fellowship among them who claim to be in Christ? The truth is that those who are more conscious of their faith and unity in Christ imperceptibly grow proud of their spiritual superiority. The fact is, if you objectively look upon all denominations you will find among them all men who believe in, and are devoted to, Christ some more perfectly than sobers. None is entirely perfect. The greatest saint is more conscious of sin within than others. The nearer you go to God, the less perfect you will realise your self to be. St. Paul said he was the chief of sinners. Finding grace in Christ does not eliminate imperfection at once. We are all growing to perfection — some are in front and others lag very far behind. Those of us who feel and know we are in Christ should be humble and accept others in other groups who acknowledge Jesus as their Saviour and Lord as more or less in Christ and extend our right hand of fellowship to them. Then there will be peace, love and joy abounding. Cut into pieces your narrow self and bigoted personality and open out your mind and heart in love and charity.

When we love Christ and are in union with Him, we must follow His command - Love God - Love man. This love must be concretised (c/o the Good Samaritan) and express it in co-operation and loving service to all men in need and sin. “Ye shall know them by their fruits” said our Lord. “Abide in me and ye shall bear much fruit.” What is our fruit for Him and our neighbours?

Available from:

Rev. R.C. Das, M.A.,
Khristpanthi Ashram,
129, Dashashwamedh, Varanasi, India

Printed at:

Evangelical Press,
“CHRIST NAGAR MISSION”,
Mijar Post, Mangalore Taluk, S. India