India is a land of diverse religions, cultures, languages, ideologies, and identities. Though the history of Indian Christianity can be traced back to St. Thomas in the first century, Christians today remain a small minority, accounting for less than 3% of the population. Nevertheless, the Christian community’s contribution to diverse areas of life and various fields of knowledge in modern India is quite noteworthy. Several Christian thinkers, theologians, and historians, in recent decades, have committed themselves to researching and documenting this significant contribution.
Joshua Kalapati’s book, Christian Contribution to Modern India (Vol. 1), was published recently by the Select Academic Publishing-Oxford, the publishing wing of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life. Commemorating 75 years of Indian independence, he has selected, in this book, seventy-five short biographies of outstanding Christians, both native and foreign, whose lives and contribution is celebrated today not only in the churches but in the wider secular society as well.
On Thursday, 16 April 2026, at 1400 UTC, Kalapati will reflect, though briefly, on the following topics, which are very relevant in the Indian context today:
- The multi-denominational scenario of Indian Christianity today;
- Inculturation, i.e., how Christians related their faith to the cultural practices and other faith traditions in India over the centuries;
- Role of Christians in the freedom movement, and their relations with the British Raj;
- Contribution to education, healthcare, languages, and sports;
- Contribution of Women writers and leaders;
- Social Reform and Community upliftment;
- Contemporary opportunities and challenges.
Dr. Joshua Kalapati taught philosophy for more than three decades (1985-2019) at Madras Christian College. After obtaining his doctorate, Kalapati did Masters in Theology at New College, Edinburgh (1997-98). He published five books and more than 100 articles in National and International journals. Kalapati co-authored Life and Legacy of Madras Christian College (1837-1978), and served as Associate Editor of The Oxford Encyclopedia of South Asian Christianity (2012). His academic visits include: CS Lewis Oxbridge Conference (2005), Edinburgh Centenary Missionary Conference (2010), The McLean Centre for the Study of Culture and Values, Washington D.C., Boston University School of Theology and Harvard Divinity School (2014). Currently, Dr. Kalapati lives in Chennai along with his wife, Professor Mrs. Jyothi Salomi, and their two sons, Mylius and Paul.
