An Indian perspective on the nature of the Church in the context of poverty and religious pluralism, with special reference to the works of M.M. Thomas
Christian theologians throughout the centuries have looked at the Church from different perspectives: dogmatic, institutional, social, cultural, etc. The main concern of this thesis is to look at the Church from the perspective of her image in India and to evaluate the various ecclesiologies proposed in this context. However, the study concentrates on the works of M.M. Thomas, one of the outstanding theologians of the present times. 'The basis of any ecclesiology needs to be Christology.' It is from this proposition that the various ecclesiologies are evaluated and the main argument for confessing Christ in India is developed. It is maintained that unless the Church recognises her centre outside herself in Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, she cannot confess Christ's Lordship. From this perspective the nature of the Church's mission is recognised and it is pointed out that the mission of the Church determines her nature. It is further suggested that the nature of the Kingdom of God is the key to relate the Church to her context of poverty and religious pluralism. Furthermore, it is maintained that the Church lives in the context where the poor are seeking humanity and the people of other faiths are also involved
Chrispal, Ashish J.
Theology of M. M. Thomas
An Indian perspective on the nature of the Church in the context of poverty and religious pluralism, with special reference to the works of M.M. Thomas. Christian theologians throughout the centuries have looked at the Church from different perspectives: dogmatic, institutional, social, cultural, etc. The main concern of this thesis is to look at the Church from the perspective of her image in India and to evaluate the various ecclesiologies proposed in this context. However, the study concentrates on the works of M.M. Thomas, one of the outstanding theologians of the present times. 'The basis of any ecclesiology needs to be Christology.' It is from this proposition that the various ecclesiologies are evaluated and the main argument for confessing Christ in India is developed. It is maintained that unless the Church recognises her centre outside herself in Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, she cannot confess Christ's Lordship. From this perspective the nature of the Church's mission is recognised and it is pointed out that the mission of the Church determines her nature. It is further suggested that the nature of the Kingdom of God is the key to relate the Church to her context of poverty and religious pluralism. Furthermore, it is maintained that the Church lives in the context where the poor are seeking humanity and the people of other faiths are also involved
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