Vengal Chakkarai

Vengal Chakkarai
Born Vengal Chakkarai Chettiar
(1880-01-17)January 17, 1880
Died June 14, 1958(1958-06-14) (aged 78)
Occupation theologian, activist

Vengal Chakkarai Chettiar (17 January 1880 – 14 June 1958) was an Indian Christian theologian, missionary, independence activist, politician and trade unionist.[1]

Early life

Chakkarai was born to a Hindu Chettiar family.[1][2] He was educated at the Scottish Mission School, Madras Christian College, graduating in 1901 after majoring in philosophy.[1] While studying at the Madras Christian College, Chettiar converted to Christianity and was baptized in 1903.[1] He then studied at Madras Law College, and practiced for some time as a lawyer.

Career

In 1913, Chakkarai joined the Danish Mission Room as a Christian preacher and worked as a missionary for twenty years. During these years, he also became a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and participated in the Indian independence movement. He served as mayor of Madras from 1941 to 1942.

Theology

Chakkarai tried to explain the Christian faith through the Hinduism point of view.[1] This can be seen when he tried to find the meaning of cross for the followers of Christianity with how to get moksha.[1]

Some of the Chakkarai's point of view about Christianity:[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (English) Andreas Anangguru Yewangoe.1987.Theologia crucis in Asia: Asian Christian views on suffering in the face of overwhelming poverty and multifaceted religiosity in Asia. Amsterdam: Editions Rodopi BV. pp. 59-80.
  2. (Indonesian) FD Wellem.1993.Riwayat Hidup Singkat Tokoh-Tokoh Dalam Sejarah Gereja. Jakarta: PT BPK Gunung Mulia. p. 75-77
Preceded by
G. Janakiram Chetty
Mayor of Madras
1941-1942
Succeeded by
C. Tadulinga Mudaliar
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