Jesus Christ and the Church
I revere Christ. One of the reasons why I do so is that
I am a Hindu. There is much to admire in Christianity -
the life-story of Jesus Christ, sayings of the prophets,
educative parables and the ideals presented therein. The
precious teachings in the 'Sermon on the Mount' certainly
leave a, deep impression upon the mind. But despite all
this, one is unable to identify oneself with the orthodox
Christianity and the Church. So in India when
Christianity challenges Hinduism the Hindus draw a sharp
distinction between Christian sectarianism and dogmatism
and the spirit and teachings of Christ. It is a line
that separates Christ from Christians. The Holy Bible
and Jesus Christ are held in high reverence by the Hindus
but the activities carried on by the Churches in His name
are looked upon with suspicion.
The church has discovered that Hinduism is full of
faults. The fiction of a degenerated India and debased
Hinduism seems to be the lifeblood of missionaries and
they have no intention of parting with it. Missionaries
boast of giving pagan India the first printing press.
India is thankful. But how can a Hindu forget that the
very first pamphlet Carey's Printing Press at Serampore
published contained nothing but insulting and filthy
attacks on Hindu Culture. During his talk at Detroit,
Vivekananda had drawn this line distinctly. He had said
When you come to us as missionaries, you ought to throw
over all idea of nationality. Jesus did not go about
among English officials attending champagne suppers. He
did not care to get his wife into high European society.
If your missionary does not follow Christ, what right has
he to call himself a Christian. We want missionaries of
Christ. Let such COME to India by the hundreds and
thousands. Bring Christ's life to us and let it permeate
every village and corner of India.
The ability to obtain converts by paying money during
famine hardly qualifies anybody to be a disciple of
Christ. Christ crucified has become a silent spectator
to the foulest exploitation of His name by his doubtful
disciples.
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