Loving Rascal

Many years ago, I think in 2006, I met a man in Mumbai. He was a praying man. The moment he saw me and heard that I'm from a Marwadi, Maheshwari family, he started weeping. I thought I had hurt him in some way. After a few minutes, he held my hand tightly and said to me, “I've been praying for the Marwadi community for many, many years. Until now, I haven't seen a single Maheshwari follower of Jesus. My God is a prayer-answering God.” I recalled him a few times during my tough times, particularly after divorce and false allegations that broke my heart and ruined my ministry. My friends and well-wishers suggested that I could go back to Hinduism. There's nothing for me in Christianity. I remembered Mahindra Georgekutty Chayan and how he praised God for Manoj (Man of Jesus) –his answered prayer, a miracle. I thought, “How can I disappoint that praying man by going back to Hinduism?” So, I decided to persevere in Christ come what may. Today, I'm back in the seminary wh...

Jesus waited two days before he left for Judea to visit Lazarus’ family, despite knowing he was sick and about to die (John 11:17). He arrived four days after Lazarus’ death (John 11:6). This deliberate waiting by Jesus could be seen as God’s waiting for humanity to return to him, 4000 years since death entered humanity as a result of their disobedience and curse. At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus then weeps, perhaps expressing God’s grief about the human condition. In this way, Jesus first expresses God's deep grief from humanity’s separation. Next, he raises Lazarus, restoring immortality and eternal joy to humanity. Lazarus' death and resurrection foreshadow Jesus' own death and resurrection, through which he would bring an end to Adamic exile and raise humanity to new life. In the coming age, he will raise all who believe in him, as he announced to Martha before raising Lazarus.   “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, ev...

The BJP is secular, pluralistic, and multi-religious. They call it Positive Secularism, which respects all faiths as equally valid. I think this view is more secular than the Shiv Sena, the Muslim League, the AIMIM, and the Dravidian regional parties. The BJP works for all Bharatiya citizens, not for a select group of people. Its membership includes Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Dravidians, and Atheists. It fields candidates of all these groups. Therefore, those who call the BJP communal need to re-examine their political perspective.    Many members of the BJP consider the cow a sacred animal. If an animal can be considered pure or impure for religious reasons, it can also be cherished and loved for similar reasons. Hindus metaphorically consider cows their mother, as both provide them milk. Over time, respect for cows grew from this bond. Those who are violent or cruel may not understand this emotion. In America, killing a pet a...

  Bhagavad Gita calls Krishna the protector of Sanatan Dharma (11:18). If MLAs in Tamil Nadu receive votes from Krishna worshippers, they need to respect their voters’ faith and values. Approaching one another with mutual understanding and authentic dialogue benefits all communities and strengthens their relationship. Whereas, demeaning others’ faith and values is detrimental to the society. Sanatan means Eternal. It is another name for Hinduism. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) Jesus never hated idol-worshipping Romans or syncretistic Samaritans. The British didn't form or invent Bharat. Our civilization has existed for thousands of years.   त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् | त्वमव्यय : शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता सनातनस्त्वं पुरुषो मतो मे || 18|| (Gita 11:18)   Gita 11:18 says, “I recognize You as the supreme imperishable being, the Ultimate Truth to be known by the scriptures. You are t...

  The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” (Gen 25:23) Many people interpret this prophecy out of its original context and extend it to all families, parties, and groups. Firstly, the prophecy concerns a specific historical event and is not applicable universally. Secondly, Jacob, that is, Israel, was supposed to come out first, but due to the struggle between him and Esau in the womb, he became second. Even so, Jacob received a direct affirmation from God, who changed his name to Israel, as the firstborn. God says, "Israel is my Firstborn." (Exodus 4:22). This sets the foundation for understanding Israel's role in the broader biblical story. Building on this foundation, Jesus, the last Adam, died on a cross and rose again to forgive the sins of Israel and humanity, to remove the curse of death and decay from huma...

  I love my God and my country; there is no dichotomy between the two. As Jesus loved his Father and Israel, so can we love both. If asked, "Which parent do you love more?" and you love both equally, you would say, "Both." Verses about loving God more than others or hating others (Luke 14:26, Matthew 10:27) are sometimes misquoted. Luke 14:26 says, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple." Matthew 10:27 states, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." Jesus also said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Scripture offers two ways to read these verses: either love others as yourself, or "hate" them by comparison to your love for ...