This book takes us through the ecumenical journey of the Mar Thoma Church from its earliest history. It moves through several posers on how the church opened up to external influences, while holding fast to its autonomy. It seeks to analyse critically the church’s relation to Indian culture and caste affiliations.

Joseph Daniel, Rev. Dr., holds two post graduate degrees in History and Theology. He is recipient of India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Award and University Merit scholarship for academic excellence and gold-medalist from the Mahatma Gandhi University. He is now vicar of the Salem Mar Thoma Church and teaches at Mar Thoma Theological Seminary (India).

«Reading Daniel’s description and analysis [...] is a highly instructive and at times fascinating enterprise [...]. As a result, his book is required reading for those working in the field of Indian Christianity and ecumenism.» (Peter-Ben Smit, Exchange 46/2017)

Contents: An indian church – A wider ecumenical outlook – A reformed church of the orient – Autonomous church reaches out – Blending hindu – Christian ascetism – A church for the people – Proactive ecumenism – Conciliar fellowship in action – Quest for the «kingdom» – Ecumenism in praxis – A progress card.