There is no simple formula that explains human relationships. Why some relationships seem natural and easy while others are strained and difficult cannot be easily understood, and certainly cannot be worked into a universal formula. Relational complexity only increases when extending beyond two people to group dynamics. These rather obvious observations need to be front…
Editor’s Note: We’ve featured this book earlier, but wanted to also share this review from HL Richard. Disciple Making among Hindus: Making Authentic Relationships Grow by Timothy Shultz (Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2016) reviewed by H. L. Richard This book is short and in simple and clear English directly makes its points; yet it…
Visa Wives: Emigration Experiences of Indian Women in the USA By Radhika M. B. Gurgaon: Penguin Random House India, 2016, pp. 332 + xxv Reviewed by H. L. Richard This book seems to be for and about Indian women but is very highly recommended reading for Americans who are interested to befriend Indian women in…
The following is a slightly edited excerpt taken from HL Richard’s article entitled “Cultivating Reticence” (available here). This paper is suggestive rather than prescriptive and seeks to introduce a change of perspective in those who seek to convey biblical teaching to Hindus. Four core issues in biblical understanding will be briefly considered. Thinking and…
Kalagara Subba Rao (1912-1981): Christo-Centric Avoidance of Church and Christianity K. Subba Rao was a Kamma from Andhra Pradesh. He grew up as a cynic against religion and led a rebellious life against religion and religious leaders. He managed to get an education and a job as a teacher, and married in 1937. His dissolute…
Manilal C. Parekh (1885-1967): Moving beyond the Church, Christianity and Christo-Centrism Manilal C. Parekh was a Gujarati from a family that was traditionally Jain, but his father converted to Vaishnavism and Krishna bhakti. Through a friend he became attracted to Christ by reading The Imitation of Christ. When he learned about Keshab Chandra Sen…
Editor’s Note: We have adopted the term ‘Alongsider’ to describe someone who wants to help Hindus explore what devotion to Jesus means. The foundation for this term comes from a paper written by HL Richard, which in turn was based on a paper by John and Anna Travis. You can read HL Richard’s complete article…
Narayan Vaman Tilak (1868-1919): A Christo-Centric Move beyond the Church and Christianity When Ramabai published the first collection of Christian bhajans she included a few of her own publications but relied mainly on the work of Narayan Vaman Tilak. Tilak grew up under the influence of the Marathi bhakti saints, known to the world through…
Editor’s Note: This continues our series on biographies of Hindus of the past who joined the Indian church. Living with the Tension of Conflicting Heritages Pandita Ramabai’s story is widely known, but has also been surrounded with myths and exaggerations. This brief account will try to clear some of the fog and raise some of…
Editor’s note: We are starting a series of five brief but very interesting and significant biographies of Hindus from the past who joined the Indian church. Kali Charan Banurji (1847-1907): Restarting the Church in the Hindu Context Kali Charan Banurji was a Kulin Brahmin Bengali who was born in Jabalpur in M.P. where his…
Editor’s Note: This article is one of the best answers to the very tricky question, “What is Hinduism?” It is a great foundation for any Alongsider’s understanding. It originally appeared in the Journal of Advent Mission Studies and is republished here with permission. Richard, H.L. “Counting Hinduism.” Journal of Adventist Mission Studies. 9 no. 1…
