St Anthony's Church, Mullaittivu, Sri Lanka
Look at that church! It's beautiful. Never mind the fact that it survived the tsunami relatively intact, it's an example of very positive Inculturation. The building is clearly a Christian church, yet it contains architectural elements of a Hindu temple, or a mosque.
An example of inculturation I experienced first-hand were the Indian Christians in Malaysia who took off their shoes upon entering a church, just as Hindus, Muslims, or Buddhists would do in their places of worship.
In a sense, however, it is ridiculous to speak of inculturation in the Indian subcontinent, which was evangelized by Saint Thomas the Apostle! (Yes, "Doubting" Thomas.) Thus, the evangelization of India predates that of much of Europe by several hundred years.
[For more on the 2000-year history of Christianity in India, see Indian Christianity and Indian Catholic.]
[image from Priest says stoic town is fighting on]
Look at that church! It's beautiful. Never mind the fact that it survived the tsunami relatively intact, it's an example of very positive Inculturation. The building is clearly a Christian church, yet it contains architectural elements of a Hindu temple, or a mosque.
An example of inculturation I experienced first-hand were the Indian Christians in Malaysia who took off their shoes upon entering a church, just as Hindus, Muslims, or Buddhists would do in their places of worship.
In a sense, however, it is ridiculous to speak of inculturation in the Indian subcontinent, which was evangelized by Saint Thomas the Apostle! (Yes, "Doubting" Thomas.) Thus, the evangelization of India predates that of much of Europe by several hundred years.
[For more on the 2000-year history of Christianity in India, see Indian Christianity and Indian Catholic.]
[image from Priest says stoic town is fighting on]
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
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