INVESTIGATING HINDUISM Hinduism is practiced by over one billion people worldwide (Ridenour, 2001). Exploration of Hinduism serves to strengthen the Christian’s connection with this community. Hence, this essay will investigate Vedic gods, the caste system, how Mission India serves, and how Christians relate to Hindus.
Vedic gods
“The Indo-Aryans entered Northwest India and gradually occupied most of the Punjab sometime about the middle of the second millennium BCE” (Shah, 2013, p.338). When Aryans migrated to India from Iran, they brought their gods. The Indo-Aryans worshipped gods of natural forces comprised of 33 Vedic gods (Shah, 2013). “Davidian polytheistic fertility religion and the early Aryans Vedic polytheistic religion laid the foundations of what later became Hinduism” (Ridenour, 2001, p.90). …show more content…
By coming “alongside indigenous churches and Christian organizations” (Mission India, 2016), they support the development of programs and leaders. Adult literacy classes offer reading and writing skills to Hindus that might otherwise not have an education opportunity because of their location and/or caste status. Many school age children are forced to work or cannot attend school, so MI offers ten-day bible classes, teaching them reading, writing, hygiene, and nutrition skills (Mission India, 2016). These children are encouraged and demonstrate to their parents their need for schooling (Mission India, 2016). MI also works along side native believers to train pastors and provide resources for church planting (Mission India, 2016).
The uniqueness of MI is that they do not send foreign missionaries into India to live, rather it done be short-term visitors. By using native volunteers and church leaders, MI eliminate the cultural, language and financial barriers of sending foreign missionaries. This is a unique and innovative way to reach and serve the Hindus.
Reaching the
Vedic gods
“The Indo-Aryans entered Northwest India and gradually occupied most of the Punjab sometime about the middle of the second millennium BCE” (Shah, 2013, p.338). When Aryans migrated to India from Iran, they brought their gods. The Indo-Aryans worshipped gods of natural forces comprised of 33 Vedic gods (Shah, 2013). “Davidian polytheistic fertility religion and the early Aryans Vedic polytheistic religion laid the foundations of what later became Hinduism” (Ridenour, 2001, p.90). …show more content…
By coming “alongside indigenous churches and Christian organizations” (Mission India, 2016), they support the development of programs and leaders. Adult literacy classes offer reading and writing skills to Hindus that might otherwise not have an education opportunity because of their location and/or caste status. Many school age children are forced to work or cannot attend school, so MI offers ten-day bible classes, teaching them reading, writing, hygiene, and nutrition skills (Mission India, 2016). These children are encouraged and demonstrate to their parents their need for schooling (Mission India, 2016). MI also works along side native believers to train pastors and provide resources for church planting (Mission India, 2016).
The uniqueness of MI is that they do not send foreign missionaries into India to live, rather it done be short-term visitors. By using native volunteers and church leaders, MI eliminate the cultural, language and financial barriers of sending foreign missionaries. This is a unique and innovative way to reach and serve the Hindus.
Reaching the