India Gets Her First Woman President

Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential palace)

The President of India or the Rashtrapati is a figure head because the executive authority lies vested with the Prime Minister and the Council of ministers. Nevertheless the President is looked up to for guidance, much like the British Crown, in that the President reigns but does not rule. The President can intervene during crisis situations, and if required, declare National, State, or Financial emergencies.

The President is elected by the elected members of the houses of parliament, at the centre and in the states, and enjoys a term of five years. During the term of office, the President lives in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Presidential palace and the biggest residence of any President in the world.

Yesterday, Pratibha Patil became India’s 13^th President and first woman President. Although the presidential campaign was bitter, we hope her tenure sees many good changes for the great country that she must now guide and lead.

He predecessor A P J Abdul Kalam, the missile man, will be sorely missed. He will return to Anna University to teach aeronautical engineering, nano-technology, bio-technology, and space applications.

NDTV reports:

He liked everything simple in life, but A P J Abdul Kalam got a grand farewell as the country's Head of the State at a ceremonial function on the forecourt of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The colourful ceremony began with the arrival of Pratibha Patil, shortly after she was sworn in as the country's first woman President, as rain clouds gathered over the Presidential palace adding to its glory.

Patil was driven in a buggy pulled by eight stallions to the forecourt where she inspected the guard of honour by the three services in the presence of dignitaries including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The new President, dressed in an off-white saree with a broad green border, savoured every moment of her reception as she smiled and cheerfully waved at the battery of lensmen gathered to catch on camera the historic moment.

After inspecting her first guard of honour, she was escorted into the red sandstone structure from where she emerged sometime later along with Kalam, according to tradition.

Kalam then inspected his farewell guard of honour and exchanged pleasantries with Singh, senior cabinet ministers, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Supreme Court Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and chiefs of the armed forces.

He even posed for a photograph with the family members of Patil before he drove out of the palatial building, his home for the last five years, accompanied by the country's new Head of the State.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Tim 2:1-6)

Article 25 of the Constitution of India grants Indians the 'freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.' We must pray that no force emerges in that free land to threaten this precious freedom.

Baptism in Conversion

My father Gnana Bhaktamitran speaking to the church after a baptism (Madurai India)

Wrong practices are often born when good men overreact to other wrong practices. That is how, perhaps, was born the notion that baptism is dispensable.

At the outset, please allow me to confess that I am not a theologian, but how can any Christian escape theology; our lives are worked around growing in the knowledge of God and delighting in Him.

Baptismal regeneration must have been the heresy that led to the error of baptism being treated so lightly. It is fairly easy to prove that baptism is not dispensable. But my fear is that we have perhaps over shot the right position in the matter of baptism out of a genuine desire to avoid the heresy of baptismal regeneration.

I lament the relegation of baptism to the status of a good-to-do option—almost dispensable. I think this is unbiblical.

• Baptism was the culmination of the conversion experience as we see in the book of Acts and served as an initiation into the church, the people of God.
• Baptism is a command of Jesus
• Jesus, our greatest Example, was baptised.

The latter two points are easy to understand and should suffice, even if the first point were not true, to make baptism mandatory in the life of a Christian.

The first point needs some explanation.

The book of Acts speaks of many conversions. Receiving the word, faith, repentance, and baptism in water are mentioned in many of these accounts. If the frequency of mention has any weight, baptism holds a very important place in the conversion stage of an individual.

When the Jews were cut to the heart by Peter’s first sermon on the day of Pentecost and asked what they were to do, Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised every one of you for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) Does this verse teach that baptism is essential for the remission of sins? By looking at this scripture in isolation, it does seem that way, but we must compare scripture with scripture. It becomes obvious that faith, repentance, and submission of one's self to the Lord are spiritual steps or changes that must precede this external ritual of baptism.

Greek grammarians have pointed out that the sentence ought to read as Repent and be baptised because of the remission of sins. For some reason, no standard translation actually replaces the word ‘and’ with ‘because of’.

However, other Greek grammarians point out that the receiving of the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit pertains to both repentance and baptism equally because of the conjunction ‘and’ (Gk kai) that is usually used to connect two equals.

Whether or not grammarians can ever resolve this problem amicably, this much is obvious that Peter does mention baptism in the context of conversion.

My leanings on this subject do not lie on the side of baptismal regeneration and I can assure you that I do not believe that baptism saves or that the water in the baptistery is holy or anything like that. But I am afraid that we may have undermined the importance of baptism in conversion and strayed away from apostolic practice.

Acts 9:17-19 speaks about Paul’s conversion.

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

We see that he was baptised immediately. It is interesting that Paul did not even eat before that, in spite of the fact that he had not eaten for a considerable amount of time (vs9). Only after he was baptised did he eat.

Today we do not baptise anyone without, justifiably, being reasonably satisfied that the candidate has been sufficiently taught and has truly believed and repented. But it is worrying that sometimes weeks, months, and years intervene after the candidate has believed.

A look at the way Paul himself narrates this experience is even more interesting.

"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ "(Acts 22:12 – 16)

Just because we know that the Bible cannot possibly be telling us that we are saved by baptism, we cannot wish away the fact that baptism is mentioned here in the context of salvation.

I believe that the most natural meaning of this scripture stares us in the face and yet we cannot see it because of preconceived assumptions. We assume that if we conceded that baptism is indeed mentioned in the context of salvation, we would in some way be giving credence to the error of baptismal regeneration.

Then look at: He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16). One brother explained that it was written in the style of “Whoever believes in Jesus and goes to church will be saved,” where it is believing that is important and not the going to church. Perhaps it is written in that fashion. But what if it is written in the style of “Whoever turns to Me and believes in Me will be saved.” At least, we can all agree that baptism has been mentioned in this scripture in the context of salvation.

Baptism is mentioned in the great commission as recorded by Matthew . “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all he nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matt 28: 18-20)

Amen? We are afraid to even allow our eyes to rest on these scriptures for fear that we would be giving in to the notion of baptismal regeneration. We fear because we know that the error of baptismal regeneration renders to the act of baptism the place that must be reserved for grace, for the sacrifice on the cross, and to the Lord Himself. Only God can save. But I fear that we fear needlessly. I fear that we have not pin-pointed the real error of baptismal regeneration, and in avoiding all that we confuse with it, have moved away from apostolic practice itself.

Let me try to explain what is on my mind with an example. If I owed the government a loan of a million dollars that I could not pay, and a philanthropist offered me a check for the amount and I deposited the check in the bank. Would you say that it was my works in going to the bank that repaid the debt? Was it not the kindness of that individual, who generously paid my debt, the reason for my deliverance? He paid my debt, his kindness paid my debt, my acceptance of the check paid my debt, and my going to the bank paid the debt. All these are true in their context, but the works that I did are not works whereby I can boast (Eph 2:8-9). I have gone to the bank on innumerable occasions. Going to the bank is no great deal. Accepting the check from that person was in fact the most important thing that I did in that example, although I cannot boast about it. Similarly believing in the Lord Jesus and going through the exercise of repentance is of more significance than baptism which is just a dip in the water, like going to the bank, an action that we may do at other times in life. But when the check of a million dollars is in my handbag, the drive to the bank assumes great significance. When the Lord has spoken to my heart and my heart has believed and accepted, the act of baptism becomes significant and worthy of mention in the same breath as faith or repentance. Without faith, a baptism is nothing more than getting wet.

Just because some have erred and assigned to the mere ritual the honour that belongs to the saving grace of God, should we throw the baby with the bathwater?

It has been argued that the new covenant is a spiritual one and concerns the heart, and that we are finished with outward types and rituals. Although this is true to a great degree, we still have the Lord’s table and baptism that were both given to the church through His apostles by the Lord Jesus Himself. Can we take undue liberties with what our Lord has instituted? Should we not endeavour to include these rituals in our churches according to the spirit and practice that we find in the New Testament?

Many of our church practices from Christian orthodoxy seem to assume that baptism flags the beginning of the Christian life. Membership in a local church and the privilege of participating in the Lord’s table are prerogatives of the people of God. Why then do we find these privileges being enjoyed only by those who have professed their faith publicly in baptism? If baptism did not indeed have a place in the process of conversion, would we not be acting presumptuously in denying any child of God a part in the table of the Lord?

In my understanding baptism is an important step in conversion, less significant than faith and repentance but more visible than those. Baptism is a simple act of obedience that closely follows and reflects what is happening in the heart of the individual.

At what point is one saved? From the case of Cornelius’ household, I see that it was possible for the Holy Spirit to come upon them before they were baptised. This to me is a strong point against baptismal regeneration. However, even here, baptism followed immediately.

Incidently, I do not think the Bible tells us at what point we are saved? At what point do we get saving faith. Does it happen in a second or does it take days? Does a person repent after one has this faith or during the process. If one repents after one believes, then is he saved before his repentance is complete? We do not ask these questions. Neither should we ask whether one can be saved without baptism. It is akin to asking if a person can be a Christian and not ever be a part of any local church. The answers to these questions are academic, cannot be answered with a simple 'Yes' or 'No', and totally unnecessary.

Even if one did not connect baptism to the conversion stage the way I do, it is obvious that baptism is a command. Jesus also, who is our role model and example, was baptised. How then can anyone say that baptism is dispensable. How can you have a Christian who has been saved for years who has not been baptised. Can one be sure that all is spiritually well with such a person? Although we may point to the fact that it is God’s grace that saves and that He knows our hearts and so on, it is far more preferable to be as accurate as possible when dealing with matters that pertain to eternity.

Because baptism is a symbol of the inward experience of salvation and also happens about the same time, the Bible uses baptism synonymously with salvation in some places.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph 4:4-5)

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:3-4)

Ending on a humble note: Luther, Ryrie, Knox, Wesley, Ziegenbalg and a host of others would not subscribe to all that I have written here. I am humbly aware by logical reasoning that I too may be wrong in my understanding of this subject. Every aspect of baptism--the mode, the timing, the teaching that goes with it--has been understood and practiced differently by the people of God. I do not want to conclude therefore that the ritual of immersion is not important or that it may be dispensed with. When any theological concept is studied, we do not doctor our understanding of the doctrine to accommodate the practices of men, whatever be their spiritual stature. The word of God must be our guide, and we do our best in all honesty, though we often seem to see rather dimly. The part that God does in conversion is the part that saves and the part that is always accomplished perfectly. Praise God! Baptism is man's part and the visible part and the part that many of us if not all of us have understood imperfectly.

Miss Jean Fritchley

I mentioned earlier that the circumstances in 1976 surrounding the first time I saw The Fiddler on The Roof could make for another post. A letter to a beloved teacher decades later, and her reply will suffice to describe what happened. This teacher, Miss Fritchley had been a teacher in Baldwin Girls High School in Bangalore, where I studied from 1974 to 1977. After retirement, she taught in another school called Bethany.

Miss Jean Fritchley in the mid 1970s

Chennai
28 January 2000

Dear Miss Fritchly,
. . . We were standing in the pouring rain under a tree next to a smelly pile of cow dung. We had just seen the film, ‘The Fiddler On the Roof’ in Lido theatre in Ulsoor. Those of us who were in the Russian folk dance had been asked to see the film because it had some dancing in it. After the film, I was supposed to go home on my own but you would not let me. With us were Daphne David, my dance partner, and some other borders. It was fast becoming dark and we were trying in vain to get some transport to get to the school.

While we waited, between prospective autos, you were telling us about the film. You did not feel that we were old enough to understand the film. Daphne said that she understood it. I had been too distracted by the theatre, the seats, the huge and intimidating screen and the sound that was all very unfamiliar to me. You told us about God’s curse on His people, the Jews, and the subsequent dispersion. You explained that the film tried to show how they continued to maintain their identity over 2000 years because of their traditions. You explained how they adjusted and settled down so fully wherever they went and yet maintained their distinct identity. It was pitch dark by then and still raining hard. We had waited, what seemed to me like, over an hour.

Suddenly a car pulled up next to us and a man called out your name. He wanted to know if he could be of help to us in any way. We answered him by getting into the car and telling him to take us to school. On the way you tried to find out who he was. All we could gather was that he knew you from church. At the school’s side gate we all got out, and even before we could thank him, he left. You told us that perhaps he was an angel sent for our protection. ‘The Fiddler On the Roof’ is my all-time favorite film.

My dance partner Daphne David (right) and myself doing the Russian folk dance

The other incident that is so special to me happened two days after this during our dance practice when you and your sister, Mrs. Hicks, were playing the piano for us. Even while we had been standing in the rain the other evening, my father had been searching for me. He had purchased a ticket for the next show of the film and had combed the theatre hall. After much effort he had finally contacted the pastor and found me at the school close to midnight. But I did not want to go home with him. I had always wanted to see what it was like in a school hostel. So I begged my father to let me spend the rest of the night in the dorm and to join them for worship in Cooke Town the next day, being Sunday. Daddy allowed me to stay probably because he was still in a daze with relief at finding me, his only child, alive and safe. Perhaps he did not know how he himself would get home at that late hour. He gave me 25 paise for the bus and left.

The next day, just as I was about to leave for church, my class teacher sent word that I had to stay to make the headwear for our costumes. I was in a dilemma. I waited for 45 minutes, but when she did not come, I left for church. On Monday morning, during the dance practice, I was told that I had been taken out of the dance because of my disobedience and that one of the substitutes had been put in my place.

You and Mrs. Hicks began to play the accompaniment as usual. But suddenly both of you stopped and Mrs. Hicks asked where I was. When the class teacher explained, both of you refused to play till I was put back in the dance. You said that after so many weeks of practice, this was very unfair. You also explained how worried my father had been in the night and how he had given me instruction to be in church. You said that you knew my father and that our family was very strict about church attendance. Wow! That was the first time someone had spoken up for me. You had actually noticed that I was not in the dance that day. It was amazing.

There are many more incidents I remember, but these two are really important to me and I have spoken about these to many people. My children love the ‘angel’ story. For a long time I have felt that I needed to somehow convey my gratitude to you. I have had some very awful teachers—people who did not love or understand children and who should not have been allowed to teach at all. But having had the privilege of knowing a wonderful teacher like you made up for everything.

I pray that the Lord will continue to use you in the years to come to do that special work that only you can do in the lives of students. I for one would have lost something very important if I had not been your student. I have thanked the Lord for you and I am glad for this opportunity to thank you. Thank you Miss. Fritchley.

With love and prayers,

Nahomi Dhinakar, nee Selvi Bhaktamitran

Bangalore
4 February 2000

Dearest Nahomi (Selvi – the name I well remember!)

Thank you so very much for the sweet, encouraging letter—I believe the Lord made it come when I was feeling rather down-hearted and 'blue'. After reading it, I felt life was worth living again.

I remember the first incident you mentioned so clearly. We were in a soggy dripping group near a pushcart vendor and were contemplating crawling under his cart to escape the pouring rain! I had on a nylon sari which, instead of shrinking got longer and longer!! Yes, I recall the "angel in disguise" who appeared out of the teeming rain and offered us a lift. In desperation we got in after apologizing for dripping all over his car seats and foot rug. Then only did I start having some misgivings as to who he was and what we had got ourselves into, but was reassured when he said he was related to Mrs. Thomas who lived across the road from the school. After making the girls change quickly after we got back to school, I dried their hair with my hair dryer. Incidents such as these, I know, make lasting memories.

The second incident I remember vaguely—but I know you were so enthusiastic and such a bouncy cheerful personality that you couldn't but be noticed. I remember you always had a big smile. . .

I'm glad you remembered my sister. She passed away of cancer on March 12^th last year. She had been working in Bethany with me and we were so happy together—Bethany has been very good to us. Last year at this time, we were getting ready for the Valedictory Function. In spite of her increasing weakness she insisted on going to school for the practices when suddenly, a week before the function, she got jaundice which was really the last stages of liver cancer. Someone else had to play the piano. About ten days after she went to hospital, she passed away in St. John's Hospital. Her funeral service in the Methodist church was one of the most inspiring ever experienced by those who were present—the music and tributes all struck a note of victory. She was remembered for her cheerful courage all through her year-long sickness, her dedicated service, her selfless concern for others and her wonderful talent for music. I am alone now in the Senior Citizens Home where we had lived together for 19 years since the passing away of Mr. Hicks in 1980.

I leave for school at 8 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m. when household chores have to be done. I fill my lonely hours listening to music and reading. I take singing classes from the Pre-Nursery to Std V, look after the Assemblies, help with the School Choir and of course, in all the school programmes. I now have a lady to help me with the music classes—but I miss my sister terribly. We were of one mind and no one can play like she did with such sensitivity and finesse. I'm praying much for guidance—and patience!

. . . Thank you for remembering me and saying such sweet encouraging things. I'll keep on trying to be of some use as long as the Lord gives me health and strength. I cannot bear to think of an old age of idleness!

Once again. Thank you & God bless you, dear.

With much love

Jean Fritchley

Sadly, Miss Fritchley passed away two years ago after living a full life that was anything but idle.

Salt of the earth, preserve stall brake

Ultimately, without God nothing matters and nothing has meaning. As a race, we are on a trajectory of moving away from God.

In the West, so-called modern rational thinking has caused us to delete God and the Bible from our moral equations. Whether in science or archeology, or any other field, we have clung to whatever theory subscribes less to the facts contained in the Bible. In the East, we have clung to our three million gods, pet theories and mysticisms without the pain of having to explain a thing. Scientific temper is relegated to a mention or two by some rationalists in speeches once in a blue moon. Yet another of our great religions moves ahead in great strength driven by misguided zealots on a road cleared by misplaced political correctness and sheer fear. The sum and total of all our collective actions has placed us, as mentioned earlier, on a path moving away from the God of the Bible.

In a world of ever increasing chaos and moral entropy, God calls His chosen ones to hold aloft His standard in the world. In the old times, Jews were given the law and were expected to hold to that moral standard as lights in the world. As long as they adhered to the law and feared God, they were supreme among the nations. Whenever they lost that focus, which was repeatedly, they suffered under the hand of their enemies. But when they returned as a people to the Lord, their cries were heard and they were given the opportunity of upholding God’s moral standard again. Israel proved unfaithful again and again and again until God sent the Lord Jesus into the world.

The old order changed and the Lord Jesus now called for Christians to be a preservative, like salt slows down decay in a piece of meat. In an ever-darkening world, the Lord called for His disciples to be lights. Even in the first century that process of moral decay had begun; it was a time when the New Testament declared that the spirit of the antichrist had already come. In the centuries that followed, Christendom has, however imperfectly, done much to brake earth’s headlong plunge towards moral destruction. Every land that welcomed Christianity moved instead towards reason, health, culture, and truth.

I can think of the dear country of my birth. Christianity came to India in its fullest sense between the 18^th and 19^th centuries by the prayers and gifts of many and spearheaded by the efforts of men like Ziegenbalg, Carey, Schwarz and many many others. Their coming was not because of the British and other foreign powers in the subcontinent, but rather in spite of them.

With sickly Ziegenbalg also came the first printing press to India. With him too came the first moves against caste divides. With Carey, the poor shoemaker with a wife who was broken by the stress of the mission, came the abolition of Sati in India and the ban on babies being thrown into the Ganges. These missionaries came in love and at great personal cost for the sake of the gospel. And with the advent of Christianity in India, we dared to think beyond caste lines, became monogamous, let our young widows live, educated our girls, and grew in moral stature as a nation. Of course, we soon forgot how we got to this stage.

My new country of New Zealand has moved away from its Christian heritage that is still evidenced in the gentleness of the people here. But today this beautiful country has moved away from Christian principles. If the face of the family is changing in the US, it has already changed in New Zealand. I fear that when the Bible is not given its due place, the country degenerates. Prostitution is legal in New Zealand, marriage is a quaint old custom, and it is an offense to smack one’s child to correct or punish.

In this world where the word has been preached even to the farthest reaches, and only a few tiny patches may remain where the light of the gospel has not penetrated, the light of the gospel is slowly growing alarmingly dim everywhere. Like meat in the heat of summer, moral values are fast decaying. Perhaps it is the beginning of the end. Of course, it is possible that we will see yet another great reformation. But it could be the beginning of the end.

Believers everywhere must be the salt and light that they have been called to be. You in your small corner and I in mine. We must each act as little brakes in this time of moral decline.

A special role is played by American Christians. They can slow down the speed of decline in that nation. If the US becomes morally barren, the rest of the world will follow in double-quick time. I have often wondered how even conservative churches in the US have fairly large congregations, when all over the world, the numbers of believers have dwindled. Yet, like with Queen Esther, who knows whether this privilege has been given them for such a time as this, to slow down the speed of moral decline in the US and therefore in the rest of the world.

America’s influence in the world is vitally important. American debates on abortion, stem-cell research, homosexuality, and evolution have been observed by the world. If not for America’s conservative Christians, the world would have gone far ahead in its self-destructive path without braking. But for now, a sizeable number in the world’s super power stand responsibly and resolutely true. They must hold the beacon while we littler ones do our bit in our small corners as well.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger,
And strength to strength oppose.
                      George Duffield, Jr.