The Theology of Conversion: A
Summary Introduction
by Krishna Kirti Das
(Executive
Summary of a paper published by the The Samprajña Institute - http://samprajna.org )
Because
the nature of Christian-Hindu conflict is fundamentally religious, Christian
and Hindu religious doctrines will be the most important factors in shaping the
thinking, strategies, and behavior of their respective followers. As compared
with Hindu doctrine and belief, Christian doctrine and belief presently
encourages religious social and political behavior that is better suited to the
survival and propagation of Christianity. Understanding Christianity's present
advantages against Hinduism in terms of doctrine will help Hindus better understand
what they must do if they want Hinduism to prevail against Christian conversion
efforts.
The
Christian doctrines of Original Sin, eternal punishment in Hell, and the
atonement of Jesus Christ on behalf of the sins of all men provide strong impetus
for converting non-Christians. The Hindu doctrine of the Law of Karma however, when
emphasized, tends to discourage conversion of non-Hindus to Hinduism. This
doctrinal asymmetry tends to weigh in favor of Christians, whose conversion
efforts in India
are at the expense of Hindus.
Although
Christianity is still deeply committed to conversion, evolving Christian belief
has increasingly opposed the doctrines of Original Sin and eternal damnation. Some
Christian thinkers believe this recent, accommodationist perspective of other
religions is necessary to curb past missionary excesses. Yet it is just as
likely that this new perspective could make it more difficult for Christian
organizations to muster volunteers for missionary work. Future Christian
success in the matter of conversion is therefore likely to depend on maintaining
its traditional doctrines of Original Sin and eternal life in Hell for those
who do not convert.
Despite
the central Christian imperative to convert others, Christian evangelism has met
with limited success in India.
After more than 400 years of proselytizing, the Christian population in India is still
under 3%. This is partly because Hindu theology has been able to accommodate
Christianity. The near universal agreement among Hindus on "oneness of
spiritual essence" has made it extraordinarily difficult for Christian
missionaries to convince Hindus that Jesus Christ is not just another avatāra
or prophet. This apparent resistance Hindus have to conversion has vexed
Christian missionaries for centuries.
Although
Christians have made many converts through giving food, medical care, and
modern education, converts tend not to stay converted or do not become
particularly devout without also becoming sufficiently indoctrinated with
Christian theology. As the Vatican notes, "the
program of a new evangelization begins with a proper catechesis of the Church's
members."[i]
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