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A Jain Believer In Christ - Manilal C. Parekh
Contributed by B. D. B Moses on Jul 31, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: The Jains can see that at the cross, Jesus won the final victory and became an authentic Jain (i.e. conqueror). Jesus shall draw all men to Himself, and among them the Jains.
3. Another very important insight from Parekh for helping Jains understand the person of is his statement that Jesus Christ went to the furthest extent in teaching and practicing love, so much so that it became swahimsa (the destruction of self for the good of others), which goes beyond ahimsa. To consider the cross in terms of ahimsa and swa-ahimsa (swa means self) brings a point of appreciation and connection for the Jains to the person of Christ and his work on the cross.
4. Parekh felt Jains should remain in their own community as believers in Christ, as Parekh himself did. He was against Christians virtually becoming a separate caste-group. His idea of a “Christ House” could go a long way in overcoming the community and dietary issues Jains have with the Christian community. We can find New Testament evidence that believers such as Cornelius, the Philippian Jailer, Lydia met in their homes and very possibly preserving their community identity.
Footnotes
1 Thomas, M. M, Thomas P. T., Towards an Indian Christian Theology, Life and Thought of some Pioneers
P. 161
2 Boyd, Robin ed., Manilal C. Parekh and Dhanjibhai Fakirbhi page 8
Bibliography
Boyd, Robin, An Introduction to Indian Christian Theology. ISPECK, Delhi, 2000
Boyd, Robin ed., Manilal C. Parekh and Dhanjibhai Fakirbhi. Christian Literature Society, Madras 1974
Parekh, Manilal, The Spiritual Significance and Value of Baptism. NCC Review Sept 1924
Parekh, Manilal, The Christian Religion and the Jains. NCC Review Mar 1926
Parekh, Manilal, A Hindu Portrait of Jesus Christ. Rajkot, 1953
Thomas, M. M, Thomas P. T., Towards an Indian Christian Theology, Life and Thought of some Pioneers. Christava Sahitya Samithi, Tiruvalla 1998