EVANGELISING A HINDU

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE EVANGELISING A HINDU 

HOW IS HINDUISM DIFFERENT FROM CHRISTIANITY?

  • No single founder. Developed through many sages, scriptures, and traditions. 
  • Many deities are seen as different manifestations of the same divine.
  • Jesus is often respected as a holy man, teacher, yogi, or even seen by some as a divine incarnation, but not uniquely the only Son of God.

SCRIPTURE OF HINDUS

SRUTI (Divinely revealed texts to ancient sages)

  • Vedas - Rigveda (hymns to deities, philosophy, prayers), Samaveda (chants and melodies for rituals), Yajurveda (sacrificial formulas and rituals), Atharvaveda (hymns, spells, healing verses).
  • Brahmanas – prose texts explaining Vedic rituals and sacrifices. 
  • Aranyakas – bridging ritual with meditation, for hermits. 
  • Upanishads – philosophical teachings on Brahman (ultimate reality), Atman (soul), and liberation (moksha).

SMRTI (Texts composed by sages under divine inspiration)

  • Itihasas (epics): Ramayaṇa, Mahabharata
  • Dharma Sastras (law books): e.g., Manusmṛti
  • Puraṇas (Viṣṇu Puraṇa, Siva Puraṇa, Devi Bhagavata)
  • Agamas & Tantras (ritual manuals for temple worship

BHAGAVAD GITA

  • A 700-verse section of the Mahabharata, presenting dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna.
  • All major Hindu traditions accept the Bhagavad Gita as an authoritative scripture.
  • The oldest surviving written witnesses are on palm leaf or birch bark, generally from 10th–14th century CE.
  • Key Message: Live with integrity, act selflessly, cultivate knowledge and devotion, and steady your mind through discipline — these lead to inner freedom and union with the Divine.

PRIESTS IN HINDUISM

  • Vedic priests: Recite and chant Vedic hymns at large yajnas and samskaras (life-cycle rituals).
  • Pujari/ Archaka - Temple priests: perform daily worship (puja), aarti, abhiṣeka, distribute prasada, maintain deity images.
  • Purohit - Family priest: guides weddings, naming ceremonies, housewarmings, death rituals.
  • Tantric or Saiva priests - Specialists in temple or home rituals for Siva, Sakti, Gaṇesa, etc., sometimes using Tantric manuals.
  • Vedic scholars (paṇḍits) - Teach scripture, astrology, Sanskrit; may or may not conduct rituals.

VIEWS ABOUT OF GOD IN HINDUISM

  • Brahman : The Upanishads describe Brahman as the ultimate, infinite reality behind the universe. 
  • Isvara:  When Brahman is conceived with attributes (compassion, power, justice), it is called Isvara.
  • Trimurti : Classical Hinduism often speaks of the Trimurti (Brahma – the creator; Vishnu – the preserver; Siva – the dissolver or transformer). They are not three separate gods in all schools; some see them as different aspects of one Supreme.
  • Panentheism : God is present in every being yet also transcends creation.
  • Henotheism: One deity is worshipped as supreme without denying others.
  • Polytheism : Many gods and goddesses honored as aspects of the One.
  • Monism: Considering only Brahman is ultimately real; gods are its manifestations.

VIEWS ABOUT ORIGIN OF UNIVERSE IN HINDUISM

  • Cyclic Creation and Dissolution: The universe is eternal and cyclical, not created once for all time. Each cycle is called a kalpa, lasting billions of years, after which the universe dissolves and is created again.
  • As per Upanishads and Vedanta, the origin of the universe is from Brahman, the infinite, formless, eternal reality.
  • As per Puranas, Brahma is creator, Vishnu is sustainer and Shiva is destroyer.

VIEW ABOUT SOUL IN HINDUISM

Soul is described as the eternal, unchanging core of every living being — beyond body, senses, and mind. Bhagavad Gita 2:20, “For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. It has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain.”

VIEW ABOUT SIN IN HINDUISM

  • Sin is understood less as a legal guilt and more as karmic impurity that binds the soul.
  • Hinduism teaches that the universe is governed by dharma (cosmic law/order). When humans act against dharma, it produces bad karma (papa), which leads to suffering in this or future lives.
  • Therefore, sin is essentially ignorance-driven action that causes bondage (samsara).
  • Sin creates bad karma, leading to: sufferings, negative rebirth, delay in attaining moksha (liberation)

DELIVERANCE FROM PAPA IN HINDUISM

Hinduism emphasizes transformation rather than punishment for sins (Papa).

  • Prayascitta (atonement) – penances, fasting, charity, pilgrimages, mantra recitation.
  • Jnana (knowledge) – realizing the Self removes ignorance and thus the root of sin.
  • Bhakti (devotion) – surrender to God; grace can burn away sins.
  • Karma Yoga – selfless action without selfish motive purifies the heart.

In Hindu thought, “salvation” is usually called moksha (also mukti). It means freedom for the atman (soul) from saṃsara — the continual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth driven by karma.

DIFFERENT PATHS FOR MOKSHA IN HINDUISM

Different schools emphasize one or combine them; all aim at breaking the bondage of karma.

  • Knowledge: Realizing Soul is Brahman through study and contemplation of the Upaniṣads.
  • Devotion: Loving surrender to a personal God.
  • Selfless action: Performing duties without attachment to the results.
  • Meditation: Discipline of body and mind leading to direct experience of the Self.

NEW AGE HINDUISM

  • New Age Hinduism is a modern, eclectic spirituality inspired by Hindu philosophy and yoga, mixed with global New Age ideas about personal transformation and cosmic energy.
  • Emphasis on personal growth, energy work, and self-realization.
  • Goal: healing, abundance, higher consciousness, planetary awakening.
  • New Age gurus present spirituality as universal, experiential, and practical.….They use English or simple translations rather than Sanskrit texts……They offer retreats, online Satsang, healing workshops, or motivational talks……They often engage with psychology, wellness, ecology, or leadership training.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE INTRODUCING CHRIST TO HINDU FRIEND

  • Build genuine Friendships. Be warm, respectful, and hospitable. Trust comes before words.
  • Avoid debating idols, caste, or philosophy. Gently but clearly point to the uniqueness of Jesus—His love, cross, and resurrection. 
  • Let them see Christ in your lifestyle.
  • Acts of kindness, service, and integrity often speak louder than sermons.
  • Pray with and for them. When they share a struggle offer to pray for them and with them. Can share testimonies of answered prayer.
  • Introduce Scripture. Gift a New Testament or share stories of Jesus.
  • Explain Grace vs. Karma. Many Hindus live under the weight of karma and rebirth, fearing endless cycles of suffering. Share that in Christ, forgiveness is not earned but freely given by grace.
  • Use bridges. Concepts like sacrifice, purity, devotion (bhakti), and liberation (moksha) connect naturally to the gospel.

Example 1 – A Student and Her Roommate

Anitha grew up in a Hindu family that faithfully worshiped their household gods. When she moved to the city for college, she shared a hostel room with a Christian student. Every evening, Anitha noticed her roommate kneel and pray to Jesus. She never forced religion on her, but her life was marked by kindness, patience, and peace.

One day, Anitha faced a personal crisis when she failed an important exam and felt hopeless. Her roommate gently said, “Can I pray for you? Jesus cares about you.” The prayer touched her deeply, and for the first time she sensed God’s presence. Later, the roommate gave her a New Testament. Reading the words of Jesus, Anitha discovered a God who offered forgiveness and love, not fear and endless rituals. Over time, she put her faith in Christ.

Example 2 – A Shopkeeper and a Neighbor’s Prayer

Ramesh owned a small shop in his town. His young son became seriously ill, and despite visiting temples and offering rituals, nothing changed. A Christian neighbor who often visited his shop noticed his worry and said, “We believe Jesus heals. May I pray for your child?” Desperate, Ramesh agreed.

That night, they prayed in Jesus’ name, and soon his son’s condition improved. Ramesh was surprised—he had prayed to many gods, but none responded like this. Out of gratitude, he began to ask questions: “Who is this Jesus?” The neighbor patiently explained the gospel, using stories from the Bible. Months later, Ramesh and his wife began attending a small house fellowship. As he experienced the peace of Christ and freedom from fear of spirits, he surrendered his life to Jesus.

Example 3 – A Worker and His Colleague

Vijay worked in a factory where one of his colleagues was a Christian. He noticed this man never used foul language, worked honestly, and treated others fairly. Curious, Vijay asked, “Why don’t you cheat like others?” The man replied, “Because I follow Jesus, who taught us to live in truth.”

Over the months, the colleague shared small gospel tracts and invited Vijay to a Christmas program. There, Vijay heard clearly about the cross and resurrection for the first time. The message of forgiveness—not through karma or rebirth but by grace—stirred his heart. After many discussions and questions about idols, sin, and salvation, Vijay prayed with his colleague to accept Christ.


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