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An ethnographic and pastoral study of ecclesial structures formed by followers of Christ's teachings in India, while retaining their Hindu and Sikh heritages.
When Hindus and Sikhs become followers of Christ, what happens next? Should they join Christian churches that often look and feel very unfamiliar to them? Or to what degree can or should they remain a part of their Hindu/Sikh communities and practices? Uncomfortable with the answers that were provided to them by Christian leaders in northwest India, six followers of Christ began Yeshu satsangs that sought to follow Christ and the teachings of the Bible while remaining connected to their Hindu and/or Sikh communities. 'Ecclesial Identities in a Multi-Faith Context' contextualises the practices and identities of these leaders and their gatherings, situating these in the religious history of the region and the personal histories of the leaders themselves. Whereas some Christians worry that the Yeshu satsangs and related 'insider movements' are syncretising their beliefs and are not properly identifiable as 'churches', Darren Todd Duerksen analyses the Yeshu satsang's narratives and practices to find vibrant expressions of local church that are grappling with questions and tensions of social and religious identity. In addition to his ethnographic approach, Duerksen also uses recent sociological and anthropological theory in identity formation and critical realism, as well as discussions of biblical ecclesiology from the Book of Acts. This study will be a helpful resource for those interested in global Christianity, the practices and identities of churches in religiously plural environments, and the creative ways in which Christfollowers can engage people of other faiths.
When Hindus and Sikhs become followers of Christ, what happens next? Should they join Christian churches that often look and feel very unfamiliar to them? Or to what degree can or should they remain a part of their Hindu/Sikh communities and practices? Uncomfortable with the answers that were provided to them by Christian leaders in northwest India, six followers of Christ began Yeshu satsangs that sought to follow Christ and the teachings of the Bible while remaining connected to their Hindu and/or Sikh communities. 'Ecclesial Identities in a Multi-Faith Context' contextualises the practices and identities of these leaders and their gatherings, situating these in the religious history of the region and the personal histories of the leaders themselves. Whereas some Christians worry that the Yeshu satsangs and related 'insider movements' are syncretising their beliefs and are not properly identifiable as 'churches', Darren Todd Duerksen analyses the Yeshu satsang's narratives and practices to find vibrant expressions of local church that are grappling with questions and tensions of social and religious identity. In addition to his ethnographic approach, Duerksen also uses recent sociological and anthropological theory in identity formation and critical realism, as well as discussions of biblical ecclesiology from the Book of Acts. This study will be a helpful resource for those interested in global Christianity, the practices and identities of churches in religiously plural environments, and the creative ways in which Christfollowers can engage people of other faiths.
Price: $36.95
Pages: 314
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: Lutterworth Press
Publication Date:
30 July 2015
Trim Size: 9.02 X 5.98 in
ISBN: 9780718894061
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
RELIGION / Christian Living / General, Christian life and practice
Ecclesial Identities in a Multi-Faith Context is a fine piece of academic and scholarly work. [This book] would be a valuable addition to any library where missiology and contextualization were serious academic subjects.
— Tom Wilson
Duerksen is an able sociologist and (Anabaptist) theologian. His study is unique in bringing these two disciplines together to analyse a growing movement not only present in India, but in many parts of the world: churchless Christianity. There can be no doubt that this study provides hugely interesting materials and analysis that contribute to missiology, ecclesiology and interfaith understanding.
— Gavin D'Costa
Duerksen provides descriptive, detailed case studies that continually remind the reader that the beliefs and practices being explored in his work are those of three-dimensional, diverse individuals within several distinct communities.
— Nadya Pohran
— Tom Wilson
Duerksen is an able sociologist and (Anabaptist) theologian. His study is unique in bringing these two disciplines together to analyse a growing movement not only present in India, but in many parts of the world: churchless Christianity. There can be no doubt that this study provides hugely interesting materials and analysis that contribute to missiology, ecclesiology and interfaith understanding.
— Gavin D'Costa
Duerksen provides descriptive, detailed case studies that continually remind the reader that the beliefs and practices being explored in his work are those of three-dimensional, diverse individuals within several distinct communities.
— Nadya Pohran
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Maps
Foreword by William A. Dyrness
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I - Foundations of the Study
Chapter 1 - Precedent Literature: Early Pioneers and Present Scholars of Contemporary Yeshu Satsangs
Chapter 2 - Social Theory Framework: An Emergentist Theory of Identity Formation
Chapter 3 - Ethnographic Methodology
Chapter 4 - An Introduction to Yeshu Satsangs and Their Context
Part II - The Formation and Markers of Ecclesial Identities of Yeshu Satsangs
Chapter 5 - Structural Emergent Properties Of Hindu/Sikh Practices
Chapter 6 - Inscribing New Cultural Emergent Properties on Hindu and Sikh Practices
Chapter 7 - Resisting and Reshaping Christian Practices
Chapter 8 - Ecclesial Identity Markers of the Yeshu Satsangs
Chapter 9 - The Emergence of the Yeshu Satsang's Ecclesial Identities
Part III - A Critical Correlation of Yeshu Satsang and Biblical Ecclesial Identities
Chapter 10 - Ecclesial Identity Emergence in the Book of Acts
Chapter 11 - Conclusion and Recommendations
Appendix A - Delimiting Region Versus Religion
Appendix B - Summary of Yeshu Satsangis and Leaders
Appendix C - Leadership Questionnaire
Appendix D - Satsangi Questionnaire
Appendix E - Summary of Yeshu Satsang Leaders by Community
Appendix F - The Use of Bhajans by Yeshu Satsangs
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
List of Figures
List of Maps
Foreword by William A. Dyrness
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I - Foundations of the Study
Chapter 1 - Precedent Literature: Early Pioneers and Present Scholars of Contemporary Yeshu Satsangs
Chapter 2 - Social Theory Framework: An Emergentist Theory of Identity Formation
Chapter 3 - Ethnographic Methodology
Chapter 4 - An Introduction to Yeshu Satsangs and Their Context
Part II - The Formation and Markers of Ecclesial Identities of Yeshu Satsangs
Chapter 5 - Structural Emergent Properties Of Hindu/Sikh Practices
Chapter 6 - Inscribing New Cultural Emergent Properties on Hindu and Sikh Practices
Chapter 7 - Resisting and Reshaping Christian Practices
Chapter 8 - Ecclesial Identity Markers of the Yeshu Satsangs
Chapter 9 - The Emergence of the Yeshu Satsang's Ecclesial Identities
Part III - A Critical Correlation of Yeshu Satsang and Biblical Ecclesial Identities
Chapter 10 - Ecclesial Identity Emergence in the Book of Acts
Chapter 11 - Conclusion and Recommendations
Appendix A - Delimiting Region Versus Religion
Appendix B - Summary of Yeshu Satsangis and Leaders
Appendix C - Leadership Questionnaire
Appendix D - Satsangi Questionnaire
Appendix E - Summary of Yeshu Satsang Leaders by Community
Appendix F - The Use of Bhajans by Yeshu Satsangs
Glossary
Bibliography
Index