{
  "bookName": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials",
  "authorName": "M. K. Kuriakose",
  "publisherName": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge",
  "publicationYear": 2011,
  "chapterNumber": 166,
  "chapterName": "1929. Gandhi on the Contribution of Christianity to the National Life",
  "pageFrom": 343,
  "pageTo": 343,
  "pages": [
    {
      "pageNumber": 343,
      "ocrText": "SOURCE MATERIALS\n343\ncreeds have too often in the past been used as tests to curtail the\nliberty of Christian men to follow what they believed to be the\nguidance of the Holy Spirit for us to be altogether comfortable\nabout accepting them. The Scriptures are the ultimate standards\nof faith. But they, it is said, are liable to diverse interpretations,\nmay be quoted to support almost any view, and contain much\nbesides what is of vital importance to the Christian faith. Hence\nthe necessity, it is argued, for a creed to give in a brief form the vital\nelements of the Christian faith and the Church's official inter-\npretation of them. There are advantages here, but not so many\nas might seem. Creeds seem invariably to contain some matters\nof historic fact or theological theory which can hardly be said to\nbe essential to a saving faith in Christ, and in common practice\nbelief in the various clauses is not considered equally vital. Even\nwith creed, too, there is room for various interpretations to creep\nin. Hence it is a little difficult to see what advantage there is in\nadding the creed to the Scripture as the standard of faith\n4. Relations with other Churches. This is a vital subject.\nWould the Scheme end by restricting such freedom as we now\nhave in our relationships with other Churches? Or would it bring\nus into closer fellowship with other Churches? Let us take first\nthe question of recognition of ministry and intercommunion with.\nother churches. As Congregationalists we are willing to recognise\nthe ministry of all churches as valid ministries, and we are willing\nto have intercommunion with all who are willing so to allow us.\n166. GANDHI ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF\nCHRISTIANITY TO THE NATIONAL LIFE\n(1929 A.D.)\nIn the March 21, 1929, issue of Young India Mahatma Gandhi\nexpresses the opinion that Christianity has made little positve contri-\nbution to National Life in India. Cited in A. T. Hingorani, The\nMessage of Jesus Christ, pp. 57-58.\nQ. What is the contribution of Christianity to the national life\nof India? I mean the influence of Christ as apart from Chris-\ntianity, for, I am afraid, there is a wide gulf separating the two at\npresent.\nA. Aye, there lies the rub. It is not possible to consider the\nteaching of a religious teacher apart from the lives of his followers.\nUnfortunately, Christianity in India has been inextricably mixed\nup for the last one hundred and fifty years with the British rule.\nIt appears to us synonymous with materialistic civilization and\nimperialistic exploitation by the stronger white races of the weaker\nraces of the world. Its contribution to India has been, therefore,\nlargely of a negative character.",
      "status": "completed"
    }
  ]
}