Life of Sadhu Sundar Singh: A Journey of Faith and Mysticism
Shunsuke Sato
October 28, 2024 DOI: 10.22541/au.173016005.50544064/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Faith Religious studies Theology |
| Key points | Argues that Sadhu Sundar Singh's integration of Christian theology with Indian ascetic and mystical traditions makes him a distinctive witness to interreligious synthesis and contextual Christian spirituality, and that his life raises enduring questions about theological indigenization and mysticism within global Christianity. |
Abstract
This article critically analyzes the life and spiritual path of Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889–1929), a significant figure in the history of Indian Christianity and global Christian mysticism, in the early 20th century. He was born into a committed Sikh family, and upon his remarkable conversion to Christianity at age sixteen, Singh's radical spiritual vocation began. He combined Christian theology with the language of ascetic and mystic traditions from India. After giving away all of his conveniences, he adopted the lifestyle of a sadhu, and incorporated local religious categories into the Christian gospel. This article pursues an analysis of his mystical theology, missionary praxis, and creativities using inculturated forms of Christian expression. Utilizing Singh's written records, public forums, and continuing influence after his death, this article explores how Singh stands as a unique witness to interreligious synthesis and contextual Christian spirituality. His life raises fresh questions on theological indigenization, and mysticism, as ever-present possibilities within global Christianity.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The mystical mind: probing the biology of religious experience | 2000 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Religious and Mystical Experiences as Artifacts of Temporal Lobe Function: A General Hypothesis | 1983 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Problem of Pure Consciousness: Mysticism and Philosophy | 1993 | Edited collection of essays | |
| Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mysticism and schizophrenia: A phenomenological exploration of the structure of consciousness in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |