Abstract
This paper explores the concept of inculturation as a theological and cultural bridge between Christianity and the local traditions, focusing on two distinct case studies from the Southern part of India: the Jesuit missionary Robert de Nobili’s 17th-century Madurai mission and the ritual traditions of the ancient Knanaya Syrian Christian community of Kerala. Both cases illuminate how Christianity has historically navigated the balance between adaptation and preservation in diverse cultural landscapes, creating unique syntheses of faith and tradition. Robert de Nobili exemplifies the inculturation method by adopting Brahminical customs, including caste practices on food clothing, and philosophical teachings, to contextualize Christian teachings in South India. This approach fostered dialogue between the dominant Hindu philosophical framework and Christian theology, facilitating conversions among the upper castes while raising questions about inclusivity and cultural authenticity. Conversely, the Knanaya Christians of Kerala provide a contemporary lens into the ongoing process of inculturation through their ritual practices, including endogamous marriage traditions, folk songs, and customs imbued with Hindu and Jewish elements. These practices, rooted in the community’s historical migration and socio-religious interactions, reveal how inculturation contributes to communal identity and continuity while reflecting broader dynamics of assimilation and distinction. By comparing these historical and modern contexts, this research underscores both the possibilities and challenges of inculturation in fostering religious commonalities and highlighting differences. It argues that such adaptive processes offer valuable insights into building interfaith understanding and respect in a pluralistic society.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Religious Commonalities and Differences
KEYWORDS
INCULTURATION, ROBERT DE NOBILI, CULTURAL ADAPTATION, KNANAYA SYRIAN CHRISTIANS
