a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

formation of several indigenous missionary organizations and churches. While
many of the mainline churches in India maintained alliances with foreign churches
even after independence, at least for some years, most Pentecostal organizations
are of indigenous origin. The Indian origin of Pentecostal churches is the chief
reason that prompted Hedlund to call them ‘expressions of nationalism in
response to colonialism.’ 18
Since Pentecostalism in Rajasthan is an indigenous movement, it has been closely
connected to nationalism. Although Pentecostals are accused of being followers of
a foreign religion, they claim that they are real patriots trying to build the nation
India. A study of the practices of Pentecostals in the state reveals that they are
making several attempts towards nation building. They affirm that although they
are only a minority, they are nation builders in every sense. In his sermons the
Pentecostal leader Thomas Mathews frequently used the phrase ‘we are nation
builders.’
This claim is demonstrated in their various activities. The use of the National Flag
by Pentecostals is an example of this. Several Pentecostal churches in Rajasthan
keep the national flag inside the church building, and they wave the flag during
worship services, while they sing and praise God. Not only on Sunday, but during
common gatherings, like Masih Mela (Christian Festival), they use the flag. 19
18 Hedlund, ‘Nationalism and the Indian,’ 91-107. In order to make his claim, he presents a case
study of the IPCoG. According to him, the formation of IPCoG is an example of the national
feeling of Pentecostalism against colonialism.
19 This practice is not to imitate American Pentecostals, who also have the flag in churches, but a
deliberate attempt by Pentecostals to demonstrate their loyalty to the nation, as there remains an
accusation from the time of British reign in India that Christians are not patriots.
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