Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833) was an influential Indian social and religious reformer who

made significant contributions to the development of Indian Christian theology. Here is an

overview of some key aspects of his theological thought and methodology:
1. Monotheism and Unitarian Christianity:
- Roy was heavily influenced by Unitarian Christianity, which emphasized the oneness of God
and rejected Trinitarian doctrine.
- He sought to reinterpret Christianity in line with the monotheistic principles of the Vedas and
Upanishads, seeing it as a restoration of the pure, original form of the religion.
2. Critique of Idolatry and Polytheism:
- Roy was critical of Hindu polytheism and the veneration of idols, which he saw as corruptions
of the essential monotheistic spirit of Indian religious traditions.
- He proposed a reformed Hinduism centered on the worship of the one, formless, and universal
God.
3. Synthesis of Hindu and Christian Thought:
- Roy sought to develop a theology that could harmonize the core principles of Hinduism and
Christianity, seeing them as fundamentally compatible.
- He drew on Hindu philosophical concepts like Brahman and advaita (non-dualism) to articulate
a Christian theological vision.
4. Emphasis on Rational, Ethical Religion:
- Roy emphasized the importance of a rational, ethical religion focused on social reform and the
alleviation of human suffering.
- He was critical of what he saw as the superstitious and ritualistic elements of both Hinduism
and Christianity, instead promoting a more modernist, progressive form of religiosity.
5. Engagement with Western Scholarship:
- Roy was well-versed in Western theological and philosophical traditions, and incorporated
ideas from Unitarianism, Deism, and Enlightenment thought into his theological reflections.
- He utilized comparative methods to find common ground between Indian and Western
intellectual traditions.
6. Advocacy for Social Reform:
- Roy’s theological vision was deeply connected to his work as a social reformer, advocating for
the abolition of sati (widow immolation), the education of women, and other progressive causes.
- His theology was oriented towards the holistic transformation of Indian society in line with his
ethical and humanistic principles.
Roy’s theological methodology represents an early and influential attempt to develop an Indian
Christian theology that was grounded in the Indian context while also engaging constructively
with Western theological resources. His work laid important foundations for the further
development of Indian Christian theological thought.
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Sadhu Sundar Singh was an influential Indian Christian mystic and evangelist who made
significant contributions to Indian Christian theology in the early 20th century. Here is an
overview of some key aspects of his theological approach:
1. Contextual Approach:
- Sundar Singh sought to develop a form of Christian theology that was deeply rooted in and
responsive to the Indian context.
- He drew extensively from Hindu and Sikh spiritual concepts and traditions, reinterpreting them
through a Christian lens.
2. Emphasis on Mysticism and Asceticism:
- Sundar Singh's theology placed a strong emphasis on the mystical and ascetic dimensions of the
Christian life.
- He was influenced by Hindu and Buddhist contemplative practices, which he sought to
harmonize with Christian devotional spirituality.
3. Christology and the Cosmic Christ:
- Sundar Singh's Christology emphasized the cosmic, universal nature of Christ, seeing him as
the fulfillment of all religious truth and the "eternal light" present in all faiths.
- He understood Christ as the divine teacher who reveals the way of salvation to all people, not
just Christians.
4. Interfaith Dialogue and Appreciation:
- Sundar Singh engaged in substantive dialogue with representatives of other religious traditions,
seeking common ground and mutual understanding.
- He recognized the validity of other religious paths and the possibility of salvation outside of
explicit Christian confession.
5. Prophetic Voice and Social Concern:
- Sundar Singh's theology was not merely speculative, but sought to address the pressing social
and political realities of colonial India.
- He spoke out against injustices like the caste system, untouchability, and the oppression of
women, calling the church to a prophetic, liberative mission.
6. Experiential Epistemology:
- Sundar Singh placed a strong emphasis on personal, mystical experience as a source of
theological knowledge and authority.
- He believed that direct encounter with the divine transcended the limitations of rational,
textual-based theology.
Sundar Singh's theological approach was deeply influential in shaping the trajectory of Indian
Christian thought, particularly in its openness to India's religious and cultural resources, its
mystical orientation, and its commitment to contesting social injustice. His work continues to be
an important reference point for contemporary Indian Christian theologians.
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P.D. Devanandan (1901-1962) was an influential Indian Christian theologian who made
significant contributions to the development of Indian Christian theology. Here are some key
aspects of Devanandan's theological approach and thought:
1. Contextual Theology:
- Devanandan emphasized the importance of doing theology that is deeply rooted in the Indian
context, engaging with Indian cultural, philosophical, and religious traditions.
- He sought to develop an "Indian Christian" theology that was not simply a transplantation of
Western theology, but a genuinely contextual expression of the Christian faith.
2. Dialogue with Hinduism:
- A central focus of Devanandan's work was facilitating meaningful dialogue and mutual
understanding between Christianity and Hinduism.
- He believed that Indian Christian theology must take Hindu thought and spirituality seriously,
seeking points of convergence and mutual enrichment.
- Devanandan's theology aimed to build bridges between the two traditions, rather than simply
rejecting or polemicizing against Hinduism.
3. Inclusive Pluralism:
- Devanandan advocated for an inclusive, pluralistic approach to Indian Christian theology that
recognized the value and truth present in other religious traditions.
- He rejected theological exclusivism and sought to develop a "theology of religions" that could
accommodate India's religious diversity.
- Devanandan's thought anticipated and contributed to the development of modern pluralistic
theologies.
4. Social Concern and Justice:
- Devanandan's theology was deeply concerned with issues of social justice, particularly the
plight of the poor and marginalized in India.
- He emphasized the need for Indian Christian theology to address pressing social, economic, and
political issues, and to work towards the transformation of unjust structures.
- Devanandan's social ethics were shaped by his understanding of the liberative mission of the
Church.
5. Ecumenical Cooperation:
- Devanandan was a strong proponent of ecumenical cooperation among diverse Christian
traditions in India.
- He believed that the fragmentation of Indian Christianity undermined its witness and social
impact, and worked to build unity among different denominations.
- Devanandan's ecumenical vision was integral to his broader theological project of developing a
holistic, inclusive Indian Christian theology.
Overall, P.D. Devanandan's theology was groundbreaking in its efforts to establish an authentic
Indian Christian theological voice that was deeply engaged with the realities of the Indian
context. His work continues to shape and inspire contemporary Indian Christian theology.
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M.M. Thomas was a prominent Indian Christian theologian and philosopher who made
significant contributions to the development of contextual theology in India. Here’s an overview
of some key aspects of his theological approach:
1. Contextual Relevance:
- Thomas emphasized the importance of doing theology that is deeply rooted in the Indian
context, engaging with the social, cultural, and religious realities of the subcontinent.
- He sought to develop theological frameworks that could speak meaningfully to the lived
experiences and struggles of the Indian people.
2. Christology and Humanization:
- Thomas’ Christology was centered on the idea of Christ as the “New Humanity,” the perfect
human being who calls all people to their true humanity.
- He saw the mission of the church as the humanization of the world, working towards the
realization of justice, freedom, and the dignity of all people.
3. Secular Theology:
- Thomas developed a “secular theology” that acknowledged God’s active presence in the secular
spheres of politics, economy, and social transformation.
- He rejected the sacred-secular dichotomy, arguing that all of life is the domain of God’s
redemptive work.
4. Dialogue with Indian Religions:
- Thomas engaged extensively with Indian religious and philosophical traditions, seeking points
of convergence and mutual enrichment with Christian theology.
- He saw this interfaith dialogue as crucial for the authenticity and contextual relevance of Indian
Christian theology.
5. Liberative Praxis:
- Thomas’ theology had a strong emphasis on praxis, calling the church to active engagement in
the struggle for social, economic, and political liberation.
- He was a vocal critic of oppressive structures and championed the cause of marginalized
communities, such as Dalits and Adivasis.
6. Ecumenical Cooperation:
- Thomas was a proponent of ecumenical cooperation, believing that the diversity of Christian
traditions in India could mutually strengthen and enrich one another.
- He worked to build bridges across denominational lines and foster a sense of shared identity
and mission among Indian Christians.
Overall, M.M. Thomas’ theological approach exemplified a deep commitment to contextual
relevance, humanization, social transformation, and the integration of Indian religious and
philosophical resources into Christian theology. His work has had a lasting impact on the
development of Indian Christian theology.
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Paulos Mar Gregorios was an influential Indian Christian theologian and philosopher who
made significant contributions to the development of an Indian Christian theology. Here are
some key aspects of his theological methodology and thought:
1. Contextual Approach:
- Gregorios emphasized the importance of developing an Indian Christian theology that was
deeply rooted in the cultural, philosophical, and spiritual traditions of the Indian subcontinent.
- He engaged extensively with Hindu and Buddhist concepts, seeking to integrate them into a
Christian theological framework.
2. Emphasis on Ontology and Metaphysics:
- Gregorios was particularly interested in metaphysical and ontological questions, drawing on the
teachings of the Upanishads and Advaita Vedanta.
- He developed a theological anthropology that emphasized the interconnectedness of all of
reality, grounded in the concept of perichoresis (mutual indwelling).
3. Dialogue with Indian Philosophical Traditions:
- Gregorios engaged in extensive dialogue with Indian philosophers, particularly Radhakrishnan
and Ramanuja, seeking points of convergence and divergence with Christian theology.
- He saw this cross-cultural dialogue as crucial for developing a genuinely Indian Christian
theology.
4. Commitment to Social Justice:
- Gregorios was deeply committed to addressing issues of social injustice, oppression, and
marginalization in the Indian context.
- His theological reflections often centered on themes of liberation, empowerment, and the
transformation of unjust social structures.
5. Ecumenical and Interfaith Cooperation:
- Gregorios was a strong advocate for ecumenical cooperation among diverse Christian traditions
in India, as well as interreligious dialogue with other faiths.
- He believed that Indian Christian theology could only be developed through collaborative,
communal efforts that respected diversity.
6. Mystical and Contemplative Dimensions:
- Gregorios emphasized the importance of contemplative and mystical dimensions of Christian
spirituality, drawing inspiration from Indian religious traditions.
- He saw theology as a holistic, experiential endeavor, not just an intellectual exercise.
Gregorios’ theological methodology and thought represent a significant contribution to the
development of an authentic and contextual Indian Christian theology. His work continues to
influence and inspire subsequent generations of Indian Christian theologians.