The Jesus Conversations with Indians [Book]

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Contents

Glossary

Introduction

Part One: Cultural and Religious Background

1. Enterans – The First Generation – “Vikram Patel”

Salient Features of Indian Culture

Democratic Nature and Tolerance

Caste System

Superstitions

Family

Social and Economic Background

Hierarchy and Karma

Family vs. Individual

Social Success and Commitment to Indian Culture

Overview of Hinduism

Karma Marga – The Way of Action

Jnana Marga - The Way of Knowledge

Bhakti Marga - The Way of Devotion

Religious Background

The Move to America

Why Enterans Came to America

Problems of Emigration

2. Indericans – The Second Generation – “Amy Patel”

Their Indian-ness

Their American-ness

Their Identity Struggle

Kinds of Indericans

Issues Affected by Hybridization

Their Religious Outlook

Generational Differences

3. Religious and Cultural Influence of America on Indians

Some Strengths of the American Culture As Related to Indians

Some Weaknesses of American Culture As Related to Indians

Influence of American Culture on the Enteran

Influence of American Culture on the Inderican

Hinduism in America

Important Dates of Hinduism in America

Americanization of Hinduism

4. Analysis of Churches in America in Relation to Evangelism Among Indians

Lessons from Evangelistic Efforts of the American Church among Indians

The American Church

The Indian Church

Factors That Hinder Evangelism among Indians

Factors in the Church That Would Attract Indians

Spiritual Gifts in the Church Relevant to Indians

Entry Points Available for Indians to Get Connected into a Church

 

5. The Hindu Concept of Bhakti

What Is Bhakti?

Nature of the Bhakti Relationship

The Goal of Bhakti

Bhakti in the Bhagavad Gita

Distinct Features of Bhaktas

Correlation to Evangelism

Bhakti as Preparation for Evangelism

Obstacles to Evangelism among Bhaktas

Evangelization of Bhaktas

Part Two: The Theory of Evangelism

6. Theological Foundations of Evangelism and Correlation to Indian Ministry

Jesus Christ

Jesus as the Center of Evangelism

Hindu View of Jesus Christ

Kingdom of God

Relationship between the Church and the Kingdom of God

Correlation in Indian Evangelism

Pilgrimage·

Evangelism as a Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage to an Indian Mind

Conversion

Types of Conversion

Connotations of Christian Conversion to a Hindu Mind

Application of Conversion in the Expectation of Ministry

Conclusion

7. Postmodernism

Important Features of Postmodernism

Knowledge

Community

Structure and Relativity

Experience

The Postmodern Worldview

Evangelism and Postmodernism

Postmodernism and the Christian Faith

Postmodern and Modern Churches

Postmodern Churches and the Pre-Modern Era

Postmodernism and the Gospel

Postmodernism to the Enteran and Inderican

Part Three: Strategies and Methods for Evangelism

8. General Principles that Make an Evangelistic Church

Leadership Principles

Missional Objective

Strong, Empowering Leadership

Relational Principles

Establish a Culture of Loving Relationships

Exhibit an Attitude of “Welcome Home”

Friendliness toward Non-Member

Holistic Small Groups

Administrative Principles

Programs

Need-Oriented Evangelism

Invite People

Develop Effective Ways to Encourage First-Time Visitors to Return

Sound Church Structure

Spiritual Principles

Worship Service

Passionate Spirituality

Biblical Preaching and Teaching

Gift-Oriented Ministry

Functional Principles

Visibility and Accessibility

Parking, Landscaping, and Facilities

Financial Resources

9. Strategy for Evangelism

The Indian Immigrant Family

Receptivity

Needs and Interests

The Needs of Enterans

The Needs of Indericans

Moving from Needs to the Gospel

Specific Evangelistic Principles Relevant to a Hindu

Caste

Devotion and Spiritual Gifts

Superstition and Family Structure

Guidance, Focus on Jesus, and Allow for the Supernatural

Conclusion

10. Methods of Evangelism

Methods of Evangelism for Enterans

Weekend Retreats

Dialogue

Small Group Evangelism

Event Evangelism

Freedom Ministry

Methods of Evangelism for Indericans

Lifestyle or Friendship Evangelism

Socratic Method of Evangelism

Small Group Evangelism

Experiential Evangelism

Serving and Campus Evangelism

Freedom Ministry and Event Evangelism

Web Evangelism and Seeker-Sensitive Evangelism

Conclusion

Conclusion

Selected Bibliography

Indian Culture and Hinduism

Evangelism

Author Biography