Includes bibliographical references (pages 324-330) and index

When Christians gather -- Who is Jesus Christ? -- The first Christians in India -- The second spring in South India -- The western coast, Akbar's mission and the question of conversion -- The third spring: the Protestant communities -- The fourth spring: Dalit Christians of north India -- The fourth spring continues: Adivasis in the church -- Smaller Christian communities -- Christians in the life of the nation -- A day in the life of an Indian Christian -- The Christian mind and soul

"Christians have lived in India since the early centuries of this era. The faith that took root was strongly influenced by local organizations and cultures; thus the Christians in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa are almost as different from each other as they are from their Hindu and Muslim counterparts, the tribal Christians of central and north-eastern India, and Dalit Christians all over the country." "Written by two of the country's foremost theologians, Christianity in India traces the fascinating history of each of these communities, and describes the role of Christians in education, social services, multilingual publishing and the freedom struggle. The authors explain to non-Christians the tenets and rituals that bind the faithful, whether Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox - prayer, the Sunday service, baptism and marriage, the role of Jesus in daily life, Christians' understanding of other faiths - and examine the controversial issues of caste within Christianity and conversions from other faiths."--Jacket