Ep #77 - God and Eastern Minds: Breaching Cultural Barriers (ft. Jacob Cheriyan)

Is Christianity a white man's religion? If not, given the extensive depth of theological and philosophical exploration done in the West, how do we present God, Gospel and Christ to the Eastern mind? Is it an attempt that ends up in compromising Biblical truths? Or won't merely preaching the Gospel be enough?! What is the need for these cultural gymnastics?! Jacob Cheriyan has been pioneering the project God and Eastern Minds (GEM) to make culturally substantiated inroads in presenting the Gospel in India. What follows is one of the most fascinating and perspective orienting interactions on SAFT Podcast!

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Intro
1:48 Who is Jacob Cheriyan?
3:08 An AHAA moment to pick apologetics?
6:56 From RZIM India to Life Focus Society
9:18 Cultural impact of board games and Reformation
14:01 What is God and Eastern Minds (GEM)?
17:41 Eastern Jesus Christ vs Gospel Resonating with the East?
23:01 Why don't you present the simple Good News as is?
28:42 Does GEM engage in just the core of the Gospel or the theological depths too?
33:25 How effective is GEM to reach gram's young culture?
37:05 How does GEM help answer a common apologetics question?
42:51 I am interested in GEM! What shall I do?
46:33 This is the Lord's doing!! Marvelous!
47:31 SAFT Updates!
49:07 Outro

Links and citation:
Culture Unraveled: https://cultureunraveled.lifefocus.co.in
GEM Project: https://lifefocus.co.in/gem/
Abdu Murray, More than a White Man's Religion: Why the Gospel Has Never Been Merely White, Male-Centered, or Just Another Religion (https://www.amazon.com/More-than-White-Mans-Religion/dp/B09V39DKYZ)
Ep #39- How To Engage The Global Youth Culture? (ft. Lukas Rueegger) (https://youtu.be/w6LC7gx45Ms)
SAFT Blog: blog.saftapologetics.com
Reach out to book our diversely young Speaking Team at ankit@saftapologetics.com 

Watch the video podcast here (https://youtu.be/5_IKJrCAQng)

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SAFT Apologetics stands for Seeking Answers Finding Truth and was formed off inspiration from the late Nabeel Qureshi’s autobiography that captured his life journey where he followed truth where it led him. We too aim to be a beacon emulating his life’s commitment towards following truth wherever it leads us.

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