GOOD NEWS TO HINDU FRIENDS

I. Introduction:

This is a research paper on the topic Good News to Hindu Friends. The following presentation
indicates different approaches that we as Christian believers can have to present the Good News
to our Hindu friends meaningfully and effectively with proper understanding of their beliefs and
culture.

II. Theological Approach:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.Amen (Matt. 28:19-20). The Great
commission itself contains the theological approach even though it seems to be simple in the
minds of many. Therefore, we are to present the Gospel by theologizing the message in the
cultural and social context of the people we are trying to reach.

A. GOD:

The word God is one of the most widely used but vague and undefined terms in our
language. Some people such as Einstein, think of God as, a pure mathematical mind. Others
see Him as a shadowy superhuman person or force. Still others see God as a ball of fire to which
we, as sparks of life, will ultimately be reunited.1

Every religion speaks about God through their philosophical thoughts, belief and practices. The
Vedas of Ancient India spoke of the storm god Indra, and Thor was the storm god of the Viking
people. Mars was the Roman god of war protecting the state. Often the king was considered an
embodiment of such a god. An example was the Japanese emperor, who was regarded as the sun
god. Other deities were associated with arts and technology.2Here we will view the concept of
God in Hinduism and the concept of God in Christianity.

1. Hindu Concept of God:

Brahman is neutral and impersonal, the origin, the cause and the basic of all existence. In it are
to be found: pure being (Sat), pure intelligence (Cit), and pure delight (Ananda). Brahman is the
unknowable one In Vedic hymns, god is not fully seen in human terms. The gods are the
manifestations of nature or cosmic forces.3Hinduism has an uncountable amount of gods and
goddesses. In fact, one can be a good Hindu and believe in one god, many gods or no god at

1
Paul Little, Know What Why You Believe (Minnesota: World Wide Publications, 1980), 48.
2
David Burnett, Gods & Goddesses, In Evangelical Dictionary of World Mission,ed. A. Scott Moreau
(Michigan: Baker Book House, 2000), 399.
3
Raymond Hammer, Concepts of Hinduism, In A Lion Handbook The Worlds Religions, ed. R. Pierce
Beaver (England: Lion Publishing Plc, 1994), 145.

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all.4 Hindus believe god or goddesses takes avatar in many forms according to the age as they
wish. Most Hindus, including those who believe in a variety of gods and goddesses, accept the
notion of an all pervading God.5According to them Brahman is ultimate reality but they have
others gods and goddesses who created the world, sustained and protected it. Even we see god
who took an avatar and killed the wicked people in Hinduism.

2. Christian Concept of God:

Christians believe in one God who exists from eternity to eternity. He is Creator of heaven and
earth and all human beings. He is Preserver, Sustainer and the Lord of the Universe. God is
eternal-that is, He never had beginning and will never have an end. He is the One who inhabited
eternity (Isa. 57:15) From everlasting to everlasting, He is God (Psa. 90:2). He is not a
prisoner of time, because time as we know it began with creation. The answer to the question,
Who created God? Is, No one and nothing, because God is completely self-existent.6God
says in exodus 3:14,I AM WHO I AM. He is the only God there are no other gods and
goddesses before Him. God is infinite. By this we mean that He is not limited by or confined to
the universe. He is entirely independent of finite things and beings Gods infiniteness is also a
matter of boundless activities that is, His power (Omnipotence) is at work in and in control of
everything, everywhere. (Omnipresence) God is all knowing. (Omniscience) And he is
unchangeable (Immutable). With Him no variation occurs, nor shadow cast by turning (James
1:17).7

B. MAN/WOMAN:

Who is man or what is man? It is striking that this is still the burning question of the 20thcentury
and the space age.8 Many peoples and many theories give different views about man and
woman. Biologically, man is an animal with the species name, homosapiens, whose fore-brain
or neo-cerebrum is more developed than that of other animalsAccording to the medical
materialists, man is a physiologically driven machine made of complex biochemical molecules.
These basic concepts of man have been accepted by almost all the non-theological philosophers
of the West, each of whom has added his own adjective to the animal-man. Greek philosophers
considered man a rational animal. Aristotle has defined man as a political animal, and the
American philosopher Benjamin Franklin calls him homo-faber, or a tool-making animal.9 Are
man and woman merely like animals without any divine purpose? Are they merely glorified
animals? Or are they more than the views stated above?
4
Fritz Ridenour, So Whats the Difference (Hyderabad: Authentic Books, 2007), 91.
5
Bruce J. Nicholls Hinduism, In the Worlds Religions, ed. Sir Norman Anderson (Michigan: Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1994), 141.
6
Paul Little, Know What Why You Believe, 50.
7
Ibid., p. 50.
8
Ibid., P. 80.
9
Swami Brahmeshananda, Nature of Man According to Hinduism,Sri Rama Krishna Mission (journal on-
line); Available from
http://www.Hinduism.co.za/natureof.htm; Internet; accessed 31 August 2013.

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1. Hindu Concept of Man and Woman:

Most Hindu philosophy sees the human as essentially spiritual in nature. This view is grounded
in doctrine of Brahman and the human as fundamentally part of the Great Soul of all Being.10
So according to Hinduism man and woman are small gods and goddesses. In other words human
beings are the citadel of GodIn the words of A. K. Banerjee, divinity is the essence of
humanity.11 Brahman is the one who caused it. While he was meditating upon what course he
should pursue, his own form divided itself, one half became man and the other half became
woman. The man was called Manu, and the woman Shatarupa, and from them has sprung all
mankind. So man is considered, not a creation of God, but an emanation of God.12

This givesa few ideas of how men have different categories in Hinduism.Brahman created
Manu, the first man, from Manu came the four different types of people as the creator Brahman
determined. From Manus head came the Brahmin, the best and most holy people. Out of Manus
hands came the kshatriyas, the ruler and warrior. The craftsmen came from his thighs and are
called Vaisyas. The remainders of the people came from Manus feet and are known as
Sudras.13 There is no equality among humanity, as a result untouchable forms that the lower
class cannot touch the higher class in Hinduism. While discrimination against women on the
basis of sex is universal, it is very much present in the Indian family and society. Even today,
girls and women are denied equal rights and share in affections, education, nutrition, health, job-
opportunities, law as well as access to other resources Furthermore, according to the Book of
Manu chapter II, verse 147-148: By a girl, by a woman or even by aged on, nothing must be
done independently even in her own house. In childhood a female must be subject to her father,
in youth to her husband and when the lord (husband) dies, to her son, a woman should never be
independent. 14It is very much higher and lower unfinished and fractional in the creation of
humanity.

2. Christian Concept of Man and Woman:

The first question to be answered is about the mans origin. The Bible says, In the beginning
God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen. 1:1) And He said, Let us make man in our own
image and let them have dominion over all the earth and over everything in it. So God created
man and woman in His likeness. (Gen. 1: 26-27)God blessed them and said to them, Be
fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. (Gen 1:28)

10
Herbert Hoefer, Jesus, My master: Jesus Bhakta Hindu Christian Theology, Contextual Ecclesiology,
Dharma Deepika, (Vol-No. 1., January June 2004), 5.
11
S. Robertson, Approaching Religion in a Pluralistic Context (Bangalore: BTESSC/ SATHRI, 2009), 65.
12
Swami Pravananda, Hinduism, The Spiritual Heritage of India (Source on-line); Available from
www.truelight.net/booksections/11religion/hinduism _pillar3.htm; Internet; accessed 31 August, 2013.
13
J. N. D. Anderson, Christianity and Comparative Religion (London: Inter-varsity, 1973), 274.
14
Elizabeth Leelavathi Manasseh, Plurality, Morality, Gender, Society & the State, Dharma Deepika, (Vol
No. 2, July December 2003), 57-58.

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Scripture consistently teaches that neither the universe nor man himself is the product of blind
chance. Man, especially, is the result of carefully and purposeful deliberation on the part of the
members of the triune Godhead God said, It is not good that man should be alone, and to
complement man He made a woman to be Adams helper (Gen. 2:18, 22).15The phrase helper
suitable, or fit or comparable for him, here the word suitable or fit or comparable comes from
the Hebrew word neged which means even mate. So that, here it quite clear to have an
understanding of the role of woman namely that she is not lower or higher, not slave not servant
to the husband rather she is comparable and an equal helper to him. Therefore the man said this
is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was
taken out of man. The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6: 1-3 that children are to obey parents and
honor them, so that their lives will be prolonged. Mothers are not to be treated as a slave or
servant even after the death of the father but they are to be honored in obedience to the Lord.

C. SIN AND EVIL:

There are different concepts of sin and evil in both Christianity and Hinduism. So, let us observe
and study carefully the differences and bring out proper understanding of sin and evil.

1. Hindu Concept of Sin and Evil:

Hinduism does not recognize sin as a willful personal rebellion against God nor as a revolt
against His moral law such as Christianity teaches. The human being is not a sinner in that sense.
However, human beings do commit acts of wrongdoing against nature and their fellow beings
because of their karmathe predetermined principle that controls the movements of their
lives.16 They say that evil is related with good, so there is no separation of evil from good and if
one violates dharma then he is doing anevil act in the world.

2. Christian Concept of Sin and Evil:

Sin and evil are real in the world. The sin is rebelliousness against God the creator; it is breaking
Gods commandments. No man can erase sin and overcome evil by doing good deeds. Man can
be forgiven and can overcome evil through faith in Jesus and by the grace of God alone. To put
it in scriptural terms, Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4)
Also all wrong doing is sin. (1 John 5:17) An example of actively breaking Gods laws or
doing wrong can be summed up quite well in reviewing the Ten Commandments. Active sin
includes such things as lying, stealing, murder and adultery. Passive sin is subtler, because it may
not involve actions but may instead be a matter of attitude or thought. We can passively sin as

15
Paul Little, Know What Why You Believe, 80-81.
16
Victor Sam, Understanding Hinduism, A Practical guide for Christian 10 October 2010 (Journal on-
line); Available from
https://www.ministrymagazin.org/archive/2010/10/understanding-hinduism; Internet accessed 31 August 2013.

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our thoughts draw us into lust, selfishness, greed, jealousy, pride, indifference and a lack of
love.17

D. SALVATION:

Salvation is very much a broader and fundamental concept to all the religions of the world. In
general, it is the sole concept of each and every faith in the World. Here, the consideration will
be given to the Hindu and Christian concept of salvation through analysis and contrasting, to
draw out the truth and uniqueness of saving knowledge.

1. Hindu Concept of Salvation:

For the Hindu, the great goal is moksha. The word speaks of release or deliverance,
emancipation and liberation It is like this, as the cycle of rebirth (samsara) became the
fundamental presupposition indicating an unending round of existences which were influenced
by the deeds each individual performed (karma), the desire for release emerged.18As karma
marga is one of the paths of salvation in Hinduism. There are Bhakti Marga, and Jyanna Marg .
Bkati Marga means way of devotion to God, which is done in a loving way. Love is the bond of
union between man and God.19 Another Marga is Jyanna which means way of Knowledge. It is
through higher intellectual knowledge, which one can attain salvation. It leads to Moksa
(release) from the bondage of ignorance and of complete union with Brahman.20

2. Christian Concept of Salvation:

John 3: 16 says, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.Salvation is freedom from sin, affected
by Gods love and grace through Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty of sin through His own
death.

No human works can bring about salvation, it is only by faith in and acceptance of Christ as
ones Savior that salvation is given. (Eph 2:8-9 Titus 3:5).21

III. Sociological Approach:

The social approach is one of the best methods of evangelism. This method has lengthy
evangelizing criterions but here; we will understand and apply few positive factors through
which we can be effective in sharing good news to our Hindu Friends.

A. Philanthropic Ministry:

17
Fritz Ridenour, So Whats the Difference, 24.
18
Raymond Hammer, Concepts of Hinduism, In a Lion Handbook the Worlds Religions, 185.
19
Richard Wolff, The Popular Encyclopedia of World Religions (Hyderabad: Authentic Books, 2008), 163.
20
Bruce J. Nicolls, Hinduism, In The Worlds Religions, Ed. Sir Norman Anderson, 147.
21
Victor Sam, Understanding Hinduism,A Practical guide for Christian 10 October 2010 (Journal on-
line); 9.

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Generosity is better than greediness. As we live in a multi-lingual, cultural, and religious
country, there are many people who are really in need of spiritual, physical, emotional and
educational help. Here are some criteria through which we can approach them with Gospel.

1. Educational:

Education is one of the criteria through which many ignorant and intelligent people could come
to know the truth of the Gospel. One of the philanthropic implications would be imparting
knowledge to eradicate the ignorance about several things, such as negativity towards education,
ignorance of educational values and the ignorance of the ultimate truth which is Jesus Christ
Himself. This is the history, Christian missionaries introduced school education realizing that
unless the local people knew the basic art of reading and writing, the proclamation of the Gospel
would not produce effective results.22Christian mission must move forward and educate the
ignorant and even intelligent people in all aspects of their daily activities, especially emphasizing
moral teaching in order that they may really come to know the true and living God.

2. Medical:

Missionaries in the past have cared for the physical needs such as in the time of famines and
epidemics. A great amount of relief work was done by the Christian missionaries during the
national famines of 1877 and 1897 in India. Another important contribution made toward the
health aspect is the establishment of clinics and hospitals by various Christian missions and
NGOs.23 Christian missions were pioneers in providing the medical services to the people in
need. Even these two fold ministry is continuously serving in different places of India but there
are still many villages and slums areas in the cities where people are really in need of medical
services and care. Therefore it is one of the challenges today for Christian missionaries is to
serve and save the people through this service with Gospel presentation, so that they may come
to know Jesus, who heals the sick and saves the soul for eternity.

3. Re-habilitation:

Throughout the centuries people have been suffering dew to trafficking, dehumanizing activities,
slavery and by the avoidance and neglect of the elderly. Christian missionaries in the past
havemade a great effort to establish re-habilitation for: HIV patients, orphans, widows and for
the leprous to help them in all aspects of their lives. Today many people are suffering from these
abuses, dehumanizing activities and from different addictions, therefore it is a great challenge for
the Christian missionaries to have positive attitudes towards oppressed and addicted people in
order to open re-habilitation clinics and the necessary places for delivering them from those
habits with the Gospel message.

B. Strategic approach:

22
Abhijit Nayak, Tribal Issues, Dharma Deepika (Vol. 12/Issue. 27, January June 2008), 83.
23
Ibid., p. 84.

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Jesus approach was with great love and care for the betterment of the people both physically and
spiritually, so that the people may come to know the real savior of their souls and receive eternal
life from Him. There are various approaches toward Hinduism and the evangelization of
Hindus. For example J. N. Farquar in his book, The Crown of Hinduism says that Hindu
scriptures are fulfilled in Christ and the Gospel.24I do not appreciate to have such an approach
to other faiths, especially to the Hindu. There are people who followed that approach. Paul
Sudhaker, Rev. Dr. A Titus, E. Stanley Jones, more or less, followed this approach.25Today
many people one way or another, compromise the scriptural teaching with that of Hinduism. If
we say Hindu teaching are fulfilled in the Gospel then we are making both the Bible and Hindus
scripture equal. Therefore, I would like to list two simple approaches, which will be very
effective in approaching Hindu friends with the Gospel.

1. Personal Evangelism:

One of the best and most powerful strategies for the Gospel ministry is personal evangelization,
which is lacking today in this 21st century. Jesus has given to each individual authority that each
should go and preach the Gospel. Each Individual should take this responsibility to share the
Gospel and to remember not only to share Gospel but also to make disciples, teaching them the
knowledge of Scripture and baptizing them to grow in the full image of Christ. Many people say
that our duty is to share the Gospel; either they accept it or they do not, because now it is
between them and God. This is a wrong approach, that is driving many Evangelists and
missionaries today and as a results we fail to add one more soul into the kingdom of God. I do
not appreciate this kind of concept and approach. God has given authority and even He has given
the Holy Spirit to empower, teach and guide us. Therefore, let us try to use those like Peter and
Paul for the effectiveness of our evangelization to Hindu friends.

2. Corporate Evangelism:

Corporate evangelization is also one of the strategies for sharing Good News to our Hindu
friends. This strategy is good for the pre-evangelized Hindu friends. In this strategy we must be
the people, who practice discipleship in ourselves because the Bible says, we are the salt of the
earth and the light of the world. We must be the people to understand our message, which is the
Gospel in Holistic terms and it should be Kingdom oriented. Finally we must know our
resources. Material, social, psychological and managerial resources are important but those are
secondary, hence we must apply our primary resources which are spiritual, infinite and divine
resources given by the Lord Most High.

IV. Implication:

24
George David, Communicating Christ among Hindu People (Chennai: CBMTM Publications, 1998), 107.
25
Ibid., 107-108.

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It is wonderful to see and hear about the evangelization, revival and healing meetings happening
in every corner of India. But the truth is that many are not being won for Christ this way. Why
does it happen? Because I heard people saying that they shared the Gospel by going door to door
or by revival and healing meetings and have fulfilled the great commission. Even they say that it
is up to them, either they receive Christ or not but we have shared with them. It is a completely
wrong notion to present Christ to the Hindu friends with this way only. We have to preach the
Gospel passionately and with full understanding to win the people not just to make them to hear
the Gospel.

We must share the Gospel to win them and to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. And teach
them to observe all that our Lord has commanded them to do. Let us present the Gospel with a
positive and caring attitude towards our Hindu friends. Let us present the Gospel by social and
philanthropic approaches that the people may receive the redemption from sin and from mental
and physical damage.

V. Conclusion

God in His mercy gave His only Son so that all may receive salvation believing in Him. Our
Hindu friends are very religious and seekers of spirituality. However, in their search of
spirituality or God, they are trapped in darkness without the light of truth. Hence, as believers in
Christ it is our utmost responsibility to guide them into the truth that is in Jesus Christ. Different
contexts demand different approaches, and therefore, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and
meaningful approaches we can present the gift of the Good News to our Hindu friends.

Bibliography:

Books:

Anderson, J. N. D. Christianity and Comparative Religion. London: Inter-varsity, 1973.

David, George. Communicating Christ among Hindu People. Chennai: CBMTM Publications,
1998.

Hammer, Raymond. Concepts of Hinduism, In A Lion Handbook The Worlds Religions, ed.
R. Pierce Beaver. England: Lion Publishing Plc, 1994.

Little, Paul. Know What Why You Believe. Minnesota: World Wide Publications, 1980.

8
Nicholls, Bruce J. Hinduism, In the Worlds Religions, ed. Sir Norman Anderson. Michigan:
Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1994.

Ridenour, Fritz. So Whats the Difference. Hyderabad: Authentic Books, 2007.

Robertson, S. Approaching Religion in a Pluralistic Context. Bangalore: BTESSC/ SATHRI,

2009.

Dictionary:

Burnett, David.Gods & Goddesses, In Evangelical Dictionary of World Mission, Ed. A. Scott
Moreau. Michigan: Baker Book House, 2000.

Encyclopedia:

Wolff, Richard. The Popular Encyclopedia of World Religions. Hyderabad: Authentic Books,
2008.

Journal:

Herbert Hoefer, Jesus, My master: Jesus Bhakta Hindu Christian Theology, Contextual
Ecclesiology, Dharma Deepika. Vol-No. 1., January June 2004.

Manasseh Elizabeth Leelavathi. Plurality, Morality, Gender, Society & the State, Dharma
Deepika. Vol No. 2, July December 2003.

Nayak. Abhijit Tribal Issues, Dharma Deepika. Vol. 12/Issue. 27, January June 2008.

Websites:

Brahmeshananda, Swami. Nature of Man According to Hinduism,Sri Rama Krishna Mission.

(Journal on-line); Available from
http://www.Hinduism.co.za/natureof.htm; Internet; accessed 31 August 2013.

9
Pravananda, Swami. Hinduism, The Spiritual Heritage of India (Source on-line); Available
from

www.truelight.net/booksections/11religion/hinduism _pillar3.htm; Internet; accessed 31 August,

2013.

Sam, Victor. Understanding Hinduism, A Practical guide for Christian 10 October 2010
(Journal on-line); Available From
https://www.ministrymagazin.org/archive/2010/10/understanding-hinduism; Internet accessed 31
August 2013.

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