03.04.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Chapter 7<br />

CONCLUSION<br />

This chapter is a summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study presented in this <strong>the</strong>sis on Pentecostalism<br />

in Rajasthan. It also discusses <strong>the</strong> research findings in <strong>the</strong> broader research<br />

context.<br />

7.1. Summary<br />

In chapter one, <strong>the</strong> research questions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> current study were identified. They<br />

centred chiefly on <strong>the</strong> identity, origin and nature <strong>of</strong> Pentecostalism in India in<br />

general and Rajasthan in particular, as well as <strong>the</strong> external and internal issues<br />

facing Pentecostals. The remaining chapters were an attempt to answer <strong>the</strong>se<br />

questions and to sketch <strong>the</strong> contours <strong>of</strong> a <strong>contextual</strong> <strong>missiology</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spirit in <strong>the</strong><br />

light <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> findings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study.<br />

Chapter two showed that <strong>the</strong> quest for identity is a socio-religious and<br />

missiological concern <strong>of</strong> contemporary Indian Pentecostals. It challenged <strong>the</strong> view<br />

that Pentecostalism in India is an imported religion from <strong>the</strong> West by contending<br />

that <strong>the</strong> movement was <strong>the</strong> outcome <strong>of</strong> many simultaneous indigenous Spirit<br />

revivals in existing churches across <strong>the</strong> country. Consequently, it emphasized <strong>the</strong><br />

significance <strong>of</strong> a polycentric approach to <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> origin <strong>of</strong><br />

Pentecostalism in India. The discussion led us to <strong>the</strong> conclusion that<br />

Pentecostalism is an indigenous movement in India and that Pentecostals are an<br />

integral part <strong>of</strong> Indian Christianity, which has a strong tradition <strong>of</strong> indigenous<br />

340

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!