Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

7/28/2019 Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

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Radhakrishnan at MCC


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DR SARVEPALLI RADHAKRISHNAN(1888-1975)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND CAREER

Tiruttani 1892-96

Tirupati 1896-1900

Voorhees 1900-1904 Madras Christian College 1904-1908

Presidency College

Mysore Maharaja College

Calcutta University

Oxford University

Vice President (1952-62) and President (1962-1967)


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INITIATION INTO APOLOGETICS

What is Apologetics?

Apologetics is a study of theology which defends faith againstattacks It is a defense of faith against perceived

misunderstanding, criticism or discrimination.

RADHAKRISHNAN AS AN APOLOGIST

Study at Madras Christian College

Scholarships, Teachers, MCCM

MA Dissertation (1908) The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore (1918)

Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy (1920)

Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939)


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THE PERSON AND MISSION OF CHRIST

Jesus was a God-man

To an educated Hindu, Jesus is a supreme illustration of the growth from human

origins to divine destiny (PSR p.807)

In Jesus the false antithesis between man and God is undermined. No one can say

where his manhood ends, and his divinity begins (HH p.100)

Response: Jesus was very God and Very man. The Word became flesh anddwelt among us. Jn 1:1, 3:16

What is possible for Jesus is possible for allNo Hindu can accept that what is possible with Christ is impossible with other men(PRT p.114)

Christ enables us to become not merely Christians, but Christs (EWSR. P.75)

Response: Christians can not be Christs. It is the Satanic

temptation in Eden. Thou shall be like God


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Is Christ is an Avatara?

An Avatara is not so much the contraction of the Divine majesty into thelimits of the human frame as the exaltation of the human nature to the levelof Godhood by its union with the Divine (BG p.32)

Incarnation is not a historical event which occurred two thousand years ago.It is an event which is renewed in the life of every one who is on the way to

the fulfillment of his destiny (RF p.117)

Incarnation is not an so much an event which took place at one stage inhistory, but is something continually taking place. God is forever becomingincarnate in the world (PSR p.800)

Response: a) Incarnation is not avatara (Gita)b) It is once and for all c) God came to save, notdestroy d) history is a problematic


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Salvation and Saviours

Salvation is an inner Transformation. We are saved not by creeds, but by Gnosis or

spiritual wisdom.

There are no mechanical escalators. Each Religion provides only ladders (HH

p.10Salvation is to be earned. God can not thrust on us (BS p.98)

We should admit the possibility of salvation through other names. Truth wears many

vestures and speaks in many tongues (PSR p811)

Universal salvation is inevitable. If every soul is precious to God, then universal

salvation is a certainty (IVL p.227)

Response:

a) Salvation is not Liberation b) Work out you salvation Phil.3:12,13

c) There is no other name Acts 4:12 d) Universal Salvation raises several

problems


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Atonement is an obstacle

It can not be contended that it is impossible to reach heaven unless itbe through the mediatorship of Jesus (HH p.104)

Guilt can not be transferred to a substitute

It is doubtful whether Jesus incurred the suffering of the crossvoluntarilyHis dreadful cry on the cross shows that crucifixion was anappalling surprise to him (ERWT p.169 fn)

Response: a) We can not save ourselves, unlike in Hinduism b) Lambof God took the sins upon Himself c) Radhakrishnan distorts theGospel, when he says Christs death was not voluntary


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Resurrection is a symbolic Act

Asato ma sat gamaya. Tama so ma jyotir gamaya. Mrtyorma Amrtamgamaya. Resurrection is not the rise of the dead from their tombs,but the passage from the death of self absorption to the life ofunselfish love

Jesus Resurrection after three days is probably suggested byMatthew (ERWT p.175)

Christ is born in the depth of the spirit. His resurrection is not somuch a historical which occurred once upon a time as universalprocess of spiritual life, which is being continually accomplished in

our souls. (PSR p.79)Response: a) Resurrection has many evidences b) Itis not Reincarnation


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Radhakrishnans ChristologyADVAITIC CHRIST When Christ said I and My Father areone, he makes out an identification between the individual humanand the divine Reality (OSW p.159)

TRUTH IS INCLUSIVE? The Buddhist parable. RaviZacharias, Hans Kung

COMPARATIVE METHOD OR METHOD OF

SELECTIVE CONTRAST ?

APOLOGETICS : Costly and Cheap


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The Challenge of Radhakrishnan Life of success against all odds Courage of Conviction in his writings

Contribution to Inter-religious dialogue and understanding

Christianity against Indian background Reverence for Christ as a Teacher

Conclusion You Christians seem to us ordinary people,

making extra-ordinary claims.

Response: Radhakrishnan looked at and not into

Christianity (Hendrik Kraemer)


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Christianity and Other Faiths

1. Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world.

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given tomen by which we must be saved.

2. Two Kinds of Revelation

General: Nature, history, science, arts etc.,

Special: The Word of God 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is God breathed.

3. All humans are created in the image of God. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory

of God.

4. God uses both believers and non-believers for his purposes. Eg. Job, Cornelius Rom. 2:2-

15 Gods Law is written in their hearts. Conscience bears witness.

5. Need for Apologetics 1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to every one who

ask you to give the reason for the hope you have, but do this with gentleness and respect.

6. Biblical Models for engaging people in a Pluralist context. (ACTS chapter 17)

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

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