Cultural Gaps: Benjamin Robinson's Experience with Hindu Traditions

Focus on unreached people groups and the emergence of a global church have not yet eliminated massive gaps in the spread of the gospel. Differences between Hindu and Christian traditions account for the uneven reception of the gospel of Christ among Hindu peoples. Contextualization best practices and movements to Christ are central discussion points in response. In Cultural Gaps H. L. Richard brings Benjamin Robinson a forgotten nineteenth-century pioneer missionary back into this conversation by reviving his memoir In the Brahmans Holy Land with a new foreword extensive footnotes and a new introduction. Robinsons experiences in south India in the 1880s remain relevant particularly his attempts at authentic interreligious encounter and his struggle to adequately integrate into the Hindu context. Robinson did not stop at language acquisition cultural study or personal relationships but felt called to adapt his lifestyle further trusting in Gods help. Although his engagement with Hindus was cut short by health problems he had a deep humility an unflagging commitment to learn and an exemplary sense of inadequacy for a high calling. Robinsons honesty regarding personal struggles with the perplexity of understanding Hindus relates immediately with current realities. His memoir raises important questions about faithful service and trusting God for an outcome that may still be yet to come. The path forward for better cross-cultural engagement is clearly present in the life and thought of this significant pioneer.