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  Lifestyle evangelism for reaching Hindus

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 1992-03) Sundaraj, John Stephen

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  Converting Hindus is one of the major problems of the Indian church. The tradition-oriented Hindus almost always challenge the Christian concept of conversion. The case chosen for this research alludes to this fact. This study attempts to offer lifestyle evangelism as an alternative method to evangelize Hindus in India. The study includes four component parts: description, analysis, interpretation, and pastoral action. Part I: Description The case portrays the difficult condition of Kumar, a new convert from South India, after his baptism in the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA). The family members of Kumar had a great resentment against his new found faith and even challenged the truthfulness of Christianity by referring to the non-representative lifestyle of Christians. The case reveals the prevailing notion of Hindus against Christianity; and raises the pastoral-theological question of reaching the Hindus without triggering possible opposition. Part II: Analysis The study analyzed the socio-cultural, political, economical and religious dynamics affecting the case. The following factors might have caused Kumar's family members to reject Christianity. (a) A fear of family disunity and excommunication from the caste they belong; (b) The unfavorable attitude of the government against christians due to the Western influence on Christianity; and (c) The Hindu belief that Hinduism is an eternal religion and salvation is attained by individual efforts, which is incompatible with the Christian view of salvation in Jesus alone. Part III: Interpretation The study investigated various dimensions of lifestyle evangelism as expressed in the epistles of Paul. The writings of Paul were chosen because they are basically written for church situations. Lifestyle evangelism includes silent witnessing and active involvement in witnessing. Silent witnessing involves Christians living a consistent life and practicing Christian morality. According to Paul, Christian service and verbalization of the gospel are essential parts of lifestyle evangelism which requires active involvement of the believers. The SDA Church has emphasized and practiced lifestyle evangelism, particularly through healthful living since its inception. Daily growth in Christ has been stressed as a basis for lifestyle witnessing. The SDA Church in India in harmony with its teachings, serves the needy Indians through medical missionary work, Health and Temperance Department, Community Services, and ADRA. These services enhance witnessing. Part IV: Pastoral Action Pastoral strategies applicable to Kumar are to be implemented in various phases, which involves equipping and practicing lifestyle evangelism. A theological basis for lifestyle evangelism is to be provided by the biblical teaching on evangelism, consistent life and Christian service. A pilot training program and practice are done for chosen members for three months. This practical knowledge focuses on medical missionary work, effective witnessing, and Hindu culture. After a period of six month training the pilot group will train all the other church members for effective witnessing among Hindus. Some recommendations on cultural adoption, and Christian service are outlined for the Indian church in general.

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  Dissolution of plural marriage : a case study on divorce as a means of regularizing plural marriage before baptism

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 1992-03) Nwanko, Ebenezer A.

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  The SDA pastor in Nigeria is not infrequently confronted by polygamists seeking church membership. The church is to promote unity in the home, and healing of broken personhood but divorce conflicts with this mission. Thus tension is created between the church's policy on polygamy and the church's role and mission. This study attempts to find a biblical and pastoral approach to divorce in relation to polygamous marriage. The research procedures used in the study were description, analysis, interpretation, and pastoral action. Part I: DESCRIPTION The study was based on a case involving a converted traditional polygamist who divorced all but one of his wives in order to be baptized. The Christian denominations generally consider polygamy as unacceptable, according to the Bible; however, they held three different positions on the issue of accepting a converted polygamist into church membership. One position held by some mission churches demands the dissolution of polygamous relationships before baptism. A second position frowns at polygamy as un-Christian, but converts from polygamous households are not required to dissolve their existing marital relationship to be baptized, nor are they allowed to enter any new polygamous relationship. The third position, held by several indigenous churches, allows polygamists to be baptized, accepting a polygamous life style as normal. Part II: ANALYSIS The analysis establishes that the Igbos practice polygamy to meet their economic, social, and political exigencies. Divorce is seldom practiced among the traditional Igbos, and divorced women are stigmatized. The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in 1930 adopted the policy of baptizing converted polygamists; however, in 1941 that policy was reversed. The 1941 policy requires dissolution of a plural marriage before baptism. The leaders of the SDA Church in Nigeria enforce this policy; however, several leaders express the need for the church to re-examine the 1941 policy. Part III: INTERPRETATTON The Bible and some extra-biblical materials present societies that tolerated polygamy and divorce. Divorce, however, was not used as a means of regularizing plural marriages. The Bible allows divorce in a case of adultery or fornication as one option for dealing with of unfaithfulness in the marital relationship. The Damascus document, and the Nicene and post-Nicene Church Fathers condemned polygamy. Divorce was recommended for regularizing polygamous relationships. Though monogamous marriage is portrayed as ideal, the biblical support for mandatory divorce to regularize a polygamous marriage is non-existent. Part IV: PASTORAL ACTION Pastoral action is based on the synthesis of the preceding parts of the study. Strategies are proposed for working with polygamous households. The pastor and/or the local church leaders, and especially mature Christian women, should prepare the wives of a converted polygamist to face and handle divorce with its social and emotional effects. The study recommends that any SDA Church policy on polygamy should be backed up with well articulated Bible principles. The local leaders, with sound knowledge of the situation, should be allowed to handle a polygamous person seeking church membership. The current policy on polygamy should be modified polygamist without of a converted to allow for baptism requiring divorce.

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