Indian Christian Identity

In approaching the cultural and religious identity of South India in the context of colonialism, we are forced to negotiate historic truth and mythic truth as loci of identity and authority. In the United States we say that history is written by the victors and set out to follow a trail of paper back as far as is authentically possible. In India, tradition and unity are emphasized through narrative.

A doctoral student whom we met at Marthome Theological Seminary in Kottayam emphasized that there is no absolute history. Primarily, Indians have not been very interested in writing and maintaining historical records. Furthermore, whatever records may have existed were likely destroyed by the Roman Catholic colonialists that accompanied the Portuguese. Oral tradition, on the other hand, is highly valued as living energy. Writing down the tradition extinguishes its energy, leading to its stagnation. Observing the tradition as it is lived out and spoken of, then, allows for a dynamism and interaction of both storyteller and audience. Therefore, the subjectivity of the storyteller is always present.

We have heard that St. Thomas brought Christianity to India. Sometimes this has been stated as fact; sometimes as tradition or legend. Regardless of whether it is fact or legend, the link to St. Thomas is of prime importance and part of the Indian Christian identity. In the United States, apostolic succession is important to Catholics and a number of Orthodox denominations. For other Christians, it is knowing when and what the reformers confessed. For Indian Christians, apostolic succession, that link to the original twelve, is an important source of self-validation and authority. God did not forget to send God's Word to India.

In contrast, the union of Protestant denominations known as the Church of South India (CSI) is a focal point of their identity. This union was not brought to them on the wave of colonialism, not a western denomination. Rather, CSI is homegrown, Indian born and bred. It is a source of identity and pride even more so than their original denominations.

From the beginning of our travels in India, we have seen the mingling of sacred symbols and different traditions: Hindu lamps and sacred bowls, for example, accompanying the adoration of the host in a monstrance. With the mingling of eastern symbols with the narrative of St. Thomas, Christianity here is distinctly Indian. Both St. Thomas and the CSI are vital to Indian Christian identity. Whether strictly factual or the thing of legends, the narrative of St. Thomas provides a foundation for Catholic and Orthodox identity. In much the same manner, many Protestant denominations ground their identity in the union of the Church of South India.

Brent & Karen