Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies
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The Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies is published annually by the Society for Hindu-Christian Studies, a scholarly society dedicated to the study of Hinduism and Christianity and their interrelationships. Through its annual meetings and the journal, the society seeks to create a forum for the presentation of historical research and studies of contemporary practice, for the fostering of dialogue and interreligious conversation, carried forward in a spirit of openness, respect and true inquiry. The aim of the journal is to create a worldwide forum for the presentation of Hindu-Christian scholarly studies, book reviews, and news of relevant past and upcoming events. Materials selected for publication will be balanced between historical research and contemporary practice and, where possible, will employ analytical and theoretical analysis set within the context of our shared contemporary experience.
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The Globethics library contains articles of the Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies as of vol. 1 (1988) to current (embargo period 2 years).
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The “Missing Third” in Hindu-Christian Studies: Adivasi ReligionINDIA’S ADIVASIS—and their traditional religions—stand at the intersection of Hinduism and Christianity. Variously characterized by outsiders as practitioners of animism, a folk variety of Hinduism, or a monotheistic precursor to Christianity, Adivasis and their religion have functioned as both a source and a foil through which Hindus and Christians have made sense of their own identity and related to each other. Drawing upon field work with Adivasis in Jharkhand who identify as practitioners of the Sarna religion, I examine two recent controversies: (1) a statue of the Virgin Mary dressed in a traditional Adivasi sari and (2) the addition of a Sarna Code to the census. Analyzing themes of culture and conversion underlying these controversies, I argue that Adivasis and their religion have become a proxy battle ground for conflicts between Hindus and Christians in rural India.
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On “the Relational Distinctiveness of Jesus Christ” in the Work of Stanley SamarthaTHOUGH each generation of theologians has its own questions and priorities, the work of previous generations may still provide insights into new questions. Stanley Samartha’s theological reflections were mainly aimed at overcoming Christian exceptionalism and establishing a basis for constructive dialogue. However, in the process, he also attempted to develop a new way of understanding the particularity of Christianity, which resonates with my own interest in recovering and reinterpreting the notion of religious distinctiveness in response to the current tendency to focus on religious universals and blur religious boundaries.
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Toward an Alternative Theology: Confessions of a Non-Dualist Christian: Sara Grant, R.C.S.J.’s Distinctive Contribution to Catholic Theological and Spiritual Encounter with HinduismTHIS article examines the contribution made by Sr Sara Grant R.C.S.J. to modern Christian engagement with Advaita Vedānta. It considers her own spiritual journey which led her to find in Advaita Vedānta a suitable way of expressing a non-dualist form of Christianity and how, in pursuit of this, she engaged both theologically with Advaita, like Richard de Smet S.J., and spiritually with Advaita like Swami Abhishiktandana. The article argues that her distinctive contribution to modern Christian engagement with Advaita Vedānta lies precisely in the fact that she was able to combine a theological with a spiritual encounter, which neither de Smet SJ nor Swami Abhishiktananda managed.
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Ecstasy and Anguish: The Mystical Encounters of Ramakrishna and Therese of LisieuxMYSTICAL experiences have been reported by both Hindu and Catholic religious figures. Hindu saint Ramakrishna and Catholic saint Thérèse of Lisieux are two such figures whose lives were dominated by direct, intimate encounters with the divine. Their encounters with Jesus, Mary, and Kālī frequently vacillated between states of ecstasy and anguish. Yet, while modern sensibilities may highlight the psychopathology of these emotional states, it is clear that these experiences had profound advantages for each saint’s spiritual life. Ultimately, interpreting these intimate encounters through the spiritual lives and traditions of the saints themselves can help Hindu and Christian scholars expand their understanding of the human experience of the divine beyond the confines of ritual and dogma.
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A Note on Recent English Language Scholarship Constantine Joseph Beschi, S.J.THIS article delves into the life and scholarly contributions of Constantine Joseph Beschi S.J. (1680–1747), an Italian Jesuit missionary renowned for his profound influence on Tamil scholarship and literature in India during the 17th and 18th centuries. Beschi, also known by his Tamil name Vīramāmunivar, is celebrated for his diverse literary outputs, including Tamil grammars, dictionaries, translations, and religious hymns. The centerpiece of his legacy, the epic Tamil poem "Tēmpāvaṇi," is a notable work blending literary artistry with theological insights into the life of St. Joseph. This article critically reviews recent scholarly works that explore various aspects of Beschi's life, his missionary strategies, and his enduring impact on Tamil culture and Christian theology. It highlights contributions from scholars like A. Susaimani O.S.M., Marguerita Trento, and Anand Amaladass S.J., who have significantly advanced the understanding of Beschi’s works. Moreover, the article points to the increasing availability of English translations of Beschi’s works, including the complete "Tēmpāvaṇi" by M. Dominic Raj, thus making his contributions more accessible to contemporary scholars. The article not only underscores the importance of Beschi's works in the context of cross-cultural and religious studies but also encourages further academic exploration to fully appreciate the depth and breadth of Beschi's impact on Indian scholarship.