Christian Subversion And Missionary Activities - 5

[G.Subramaniam]

intervarsity

Thoughts on Sharing Jesus with Hindu or Indian Students
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by Matthew Agrafiotis and Evelyn Stephens

Build authentic friendships. Individual and small group (family) friendships with Hindus are most helpful. Friendship should be pursued with the end goal of friendship, not evangelism. Drop by to visit unannounced after you have developed a friendship. This will show that you are interested in genuine friendship rather than casual acquaintanceship.

Give and take. Indian friends love to have reciprocal friendships and will give a lot for a friend. Ask your friend for help. They expect that you will give a lot in the friendship as well. Indians are often happy to receive second-hand items, especially after they price new items and convert the amount to Indian rupees. When visiting a home, it is customary for the host to offer a drink and sometimes a snack or even a meal. It is best to receive whatever is offered because not receiving can be interpreted as superiority. When hosting, it is best to physically offer something, rather than just verbally ask what they would like.

Avoid saying "no." Hindus often do not say "no" directly, so doing so could hurt their feelings or insult them. Find ways to give a reason you can’t, rather than starting with a “no” answer. Try also to express concern and possible ways that you can help whenever you do have to say "no."

Christianity is misunderstood. Indians tend to form tight communities based on ancestral lines that may include religious labels but not necessarily belief. Thus, an Indian who identifies himself as a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, or Buddhist may be agnostic or even an atheist. Many Indian "Christians" do not follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. In addition, most Indians see Christianity as a foreign (Western) religion. The average Indian sees an unvirtuous Christian neighbor or watches American movies, and they conclude that Christianity promotes drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, and other evils. Paradoxically, most Indians see Jesus Christ as a virtuous spiritual teacher. To avoid confusion do not use the term “Christian” but more explicit terms, such as devotee (or follower) of the Lord Jesus.

Conversion is negative. To many Indians, converting to Christianity is understood as leaving their families and communities and joining a Christian community. This viewpoint has prompted numerous anti-conversion laws in India. However, it is acceptable within Hindu communities to change the gods to which one is devoted. Hindus can acknowledge complete devotion to the Lord Jesus without leaving their families or communities.

Pray. Generally prayer is well received by most Hindus. Offer to pray, and tell them that you will pray to Jesus. You can make it a special time of prayer to Jesus where you go to their home and meet. Do not treat prayer too casually, so that they do not get the idea that you are not respectful of Jesus. Rituals are important to them.

Ask questions. Feel free to ask questions about their personal beliefs about God. Many Indians are used to having religious discussions, and it is likely that no two Hindus you meet will have the same set of beliefs.

Share testimonies with humility. Describe your personal experiences of lostness and God’s gracious forgiveness and peace. Talk about your own spiritual life and why you follow Jesus. Be genuine rather than formulaic. Share recent experiences of God’s love and ways that your relationship with Jesus changes who you are. Do not claim to know God in his majesty and fullness. Many Hindus think Christians see themselves as the greatest people with the greatest religion. Be careful using testimonies of Hindus who have found Christ, since triumphalism and pride may be what is communicated (1 Cor 8:1-2).

Read the Bible together. If they express a desire to learn about the Lord Jesus, then it is best to do that one-on-one or in a small group of other like-minded students in a neutral location. Rather than teaching a Bible study, it may be better to approach the Scripture as co-learners of the Great Teacher, Jesus.

Do not push invitations to Christian meetings. Build friendships before explicitly inviting Hindus to Christian meetings, but welcome them if they want to attend. If you do invite them to an event, be open and honest about all religious content. Events that are publicized to be only social need to be just that. Bring them to groups where they are valued and can safely be themselves, and avoid events where Hindus may be confronted to convert.

Do not criticize Hindu beliefs or culture. Pointing out the worst aspects of Hinduism or the caste system will not win Hindus to Jesus. Immediate criticism will also make them suspicious of the aims of your friendship. Once the friendship is developed, you can engage in meaningful conversations, ask about their experiences, and sensitively share your views.

Live out your devotion to Jesus. Exposing and living out our personal devotion to the Lord Jesus rather than preaching is the most effective way to share faith among Hindus. Work into your life the traditional Hindu (and biblical) values of simplicity, renunciation (fasting), spirituality, and humility.

Avoid apologetic arguments. Most Hindus do not have a developed theology, but they may argue points that they do not personally believe. Also, many Western arguments do not make sense to Hindus or may have unintended meanings.

Be patient in inviting a response. Our friends should set the pace of spiritual discussions. Do not press “Jesus is the only way” too soon in your relationship, since it may break trust and not allow you to tell more about Jesus. You can share that you personally follow Jesus and only him. Pray for the right time when you will be able to allow Jesus’ words to explain why he is the way to God, so that your Hindu friends wrestle with Jesus, rather than with you.