The Missionary Vs Christ
The Missionary proclaims that all religions of the world (except his
own) are works of Satan. He cites several practices of the world
religions and categorises them as sinful. He cites several verses he
has learnt by heart from the Bible hurling curses at those who dare
oppose him. He does all this believing he is sincerely following the
words of his Master, a carpenter's son who lived 2000 years ago.
That carpenter's son had a curiously different message to give to
the world though.(conviniently forgotten by the Missionary). No
other story from the greatest story teller of all time illustrates
this point more than the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus , while
delivering the greatest commandment of Love in "Love your neighbor
as yourself" turns the definition of "neighbor" inside out. Here he
calls a Samaritan, a heretical race, a non-Jew, an enemy of the
chosen ones, as the "good" neighbor.
When we see this story in perspective, it is easy to understand that
there was no one the Jews would have considered to be less of
a "neighbor" than a Samaritan. If a Samaritan man could be a
"neighbor" to the Jewish man who was robbed and beaten, then the
definition of "neighbor" would have to include all people,
regardless of race, religion, nationality, or any other artificial
distinction.
With this background in mind, we need to see the Messiah of the
world giving the Great Commission to his disciples in Matthew 28:19-
20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Amen."
When St.Thomas came to India as a response to this Great Commission
of his Lord and his God, he probably taught about Christ in a very
different manner compared to what these Missionaries do. I am
inclined to think he would have nurtured love and respect for the
people of India and their existing beliefs, coming after being in
direct training from the Savior and under the living guidance of the Holy
Spirit. I would like to think he would have preached with great
patience and tolerance on the lines of -" I honestly do not know the
religion you practice, I do not deny there may be good in your faith
and God's blessings are definitely on you and your thinking, but I
do know of a good news which is revealed to us...". The true
conversion of mind and soul is a slow and painful process, but it is
also a lasting process -- a testimony to its durability is the
existance of the church of St.Thomas 2000 years after the saint set
foot in India. Note that these Christians lived in harmony with the
others in the land. Much before a Protestant mentality ever took
root in the world, our Fathers had been teaching us the true
Christian Mission in India.(Today the same fathers are criticised as
not doing enough by our (Protestant minded) leaders, forgetting the
pains they would have endured to keep alive the ancient uncorrupt
faith while maintaining harmony with the other faiths.)
Today, as a result of the work of the mindless 'mission' by the so
called "Missionaries" the religions of secular India look at all of
Christendom with suspicion. We no more are a reflection of the
Messiah of Love, but a source of hatred and ill will. Even all our
sincere efforts are seen under this light. The fanatic outbursts of
the RSS and VHP towards Christians are but an outcome of our own
doing.
In such a situation, I am convinced that crying out verses from the
Bible from hilltops is not the way for us to fulfil the Great
Commission of our Master. Mother Theresa showed us the way --
her "Missionaries of Charity" witnesses Christ in India louder than
any of the so called 'Missionaries'. Mar Osthathios heading the
Mission Board shows us the way.
Give them strength, let us witness the Lord and be carriers of the
Light. Let us be part of the solution in our beloved India. One
important way to fulfil the Great Commission would be to strongly
and vocally show "non-coperation" to the so called "Missionaries"
springing up in India today and systematically destroying the
witness of the Lord, and thoroughly trampling to the ground the
secular fabric of the Indian Constitution in the bargain. (I expect
many friends to view this distastefully, kindly allow me my right of
opinion). Raise your voices, that you strongly detest this practice.
However at the same time, we should show our willingness to
spread the true message of Love. One great way of doing this is by
participating in the many activities in service by our Mission
Board.
Can someone please provide us a peep into the activities undertaken
by the Mission Board and ways in which we can help?
So -- are we for the Missionary or are we for Christ?
Regards,
Mathew Samuel,
Albany, NY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/9294
The Missionary proclaims that all religions of the world (except his
own) are works of Satan. He cites several practices of the world
religions and categorises them as sinful. He cites several verses he
has learnt by heart from the Bible hurling curses at those who dare
oppose him. He does all this believing he is sincerely following the
words of his Master, a carpenter's son who lived 2000 years ago.
That carpenter's son had a curiously different message to give to
the world though.(conviniently forgotten by the Missionary). No
other story from the greatest story teller of all time illustrates
this point more than the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus , while
delivering the greatest commandment of Love in "Love your neighbor
as yourself" turns the definition of "neighbor" inside out. Here he
calls a Samaritan, a heretical race, a non-Jew, an enemy of the
chosen ones, as the "good" neighbor.
When we see this story in perspective, it is easy to understand that
there was no one the Jews would have considered to be less of
a "neighbor" than a Samaritan. If a Samaritan man could be a
"neighbor" to the Jewish man who was robbed and beaten, then the
definition of "neighbor" would have to include all people,
regardless of race, religion, nationality, or any other artificial
distinction.
With this background in mind, we need to see the Messiah of the
world giving the Great Commission to his disciples in Matthew 28:19-
20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Amen."
When St.Thomas came to India as a response to this Great Commission
of his Lord and his God, he probably taught about Christ in a very
different manner compared to what these Missionaries do. I am
inclined to think he would have nurtured love and respect for the
people of India and their existing beliefs, coming after being in
direct training from the Savior and under the living guidance of the Holy
Spirit. I would like to think he would have preached with great
patience and tolerance on the lines of -" I honestly do not know the
religion you practice, I do not deny there may be good in your faith
and God's blessings are definitely on you and your thinking, but I
do know of a good news which is revealed to us...". The true
conversion of mind and soul is a slow and painful process, but it is
also a lasting process -- a testimony to its durability is the
existance of the church of St.Thomas 2000 years after the saint set
foot in India. Note that these Christians lived in harmony with the
others in the land. Much before a Protestant mentality ever took
root in the world, our Fathers had been teaching us the true
Christian Mission in India.(Today the same fathers are criticised as
not doing enough by our (Protestant minded) leaders, forgetting the
pains they would have endured to keep alive the ancient uncorrupt
faith while maintaining harmony with the other faiths.)
Today, as a result of the work of the mindless 'mission' by the so
called "Missionaries" the religions of secular India look at all of
Christendom with suspicion. We no more are a reflection of the
Messiah of Love, but a source of hatred and ill will. Even all our
sincere efforts are seen under this light. The fanatic outbursts of
the RSS and VHP towards Christians are but an outcome of our own
doing.
In such a situation, I am convinced that crying out verses from the
Bible from hilltops is not the way for us to fulfil the Great
Commission of our Master. Mother Theresa showed us the way --
her "Missionaries of Charity" witnesses Christ in India louder than
any of the so called 'Missionaries'. Mar Osthathios heading the
Mission Board shows us the way.
Give them strength, let us witness the Lord and be carriers of the
Light. Let us be part of the solution in our beloved India. One
important way to fulfil the Great Commission would be to strongly
and vocally show "non-coperation" to the so called "Missionaries"
springing up in India today and systematically destroying the
witness of the Lord, and thoroughly trampling to the ground the
secular fabric of the Indian Constitution in the bargain. (I expect
many friends to view this distastefully, kindly allow me my right of
opinion). Raise your voices, that you strongly detest this practice.
However at the same time, we should show our willingness to
spread the true message of Love. One great way of doing this is by
participating in the many activities in service by our Mission
Board.
Can someone please provide us a peep into the activities undertaken
by the Mission Board and ways in which we can help?
So -- are we for the Missionary or are we for Christ?
Regards,
Mathew Samuel,
Albany, NY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/9294
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