Wednesday 18 January 2012

Sabbatical Day 3

Amy Carmichael is remembered in the church's calendar today. Another example of someone who's life spoke powerfully in India, Dohnavur, Tamil Nadi.

This theme I find goes back to the stories of the Apostle Thomas in India. 'Stricken at the sight of countless poor and sick people living in dire want, and outraged at the profligate opulence of the rich, Thomas felt compelled to do all in his power to alleviate their plight' (Christianity in India by R E Frykenberg, 95).

A theme I note is the engagement by Christians of varying traditions with the social needs around. This is of course very much the case in the UK, and indeed is being rediscovered in our own day. However, Christendom has meant that European Christianity has perhaps been more closely associated with the state than in India, and hence distinctive social engagement has perhaps not been such a constant theme of public faith. Maybe in certain periods it has been more associated with monastic movements than the church at large.

But I am aware this this is probably a contentious statement. This is a thought in progress!

Today's photo: nothing to do with the above but an opportunity to work today on a photo I took last year of St Mary's Little Parndon on a beautiful evening.


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