"India's foremost Christian intellectual," Vishal Mangalwadi, discusses the influence of the Bible on language, education, healthcare, and democracy in India, as well as its impact on Western civilization. The podcast hosts reflect on memorable conversations from the first season, including discussions with Francis Spufford and Lord Michael Hastings. They also share their thoughts on previous episodes featuring Vishal Mangalwadi, Louise Perry, Tom Holland, and Lord Michael Hastings, highlighting the captivating ideas and personal insights shared.
The Bible has had a profound impact on shaping language, education, and the idea of equality in India and the West.
The rejection of the Bible in the West has led to the disintegration of Western civilization, and rediscovering its wisdom and principles is crucial.
The Bible provided a moral and philosophical framework that contributed to the development of concepts like human rights, justice, and the dignity of all individuals in Western civilization.
Deep dives
The Bible's Influence on India
The podcast explores how the Bible has shaped India and its culture. The guest, Vishal Mangawadi, shares his realization that many aspects of his city, including language, education, healthcare, and democracy, were influenced by the Bible. This led him to study the Bible and discover its impact on Western civilization as well. The conversation delves into the transformative power of the Bible, its role in social reform, and how it promotes justice, equality, and compassion.
Re-enchanting Culture Through the Bible
Vishal Mangawadi discusses why he believes the Bible is the key to re-enchanting culture today. He emphasizes that the rejection of the Bible in the West has led to the disintegration of Western civilization, and that rediscovering the Bible's wisdom and principles is essential. Mangawadi proposes a third education revolution, where churches take back the responsibility of educating society, providing a foundation rooted in biblical principles. He highlights the importance of understanding the Bible's influence on language, education, and the idea of equality.
The Bible's Impact on Western Civilization
Vishal Mangawadi explores how the Bible has shaped Western civilization and its values. He discusses the idea that the Bible provided a moral and philosophical framework that contributed to the development of concepts like human rights, justice, and the dignity of all individuals. Mangawadi highlights the significance of the Bible in transforming societies, challenging oppressive practices, and promoting social reform. He argues that the rejection of the Bible in modern times has weakened the moral foundations of Western civilization.
The Bible and the Search for Truth
The podcast conversation delves into the journey of Vishal Mangawadi's search for truth and how it led him to discover the Bible. He shares his initial doubts about the authenticity of the Bible and his exploration of other religious scriptures. Eventually, he started reading the Bible critically and found answers to philosophical questions that other sources could not provide. Mangawadi emphasizes the importance of understanding God's interpretation of history through the Bible, and how it can bring a sense of purpose and truth to individuals and nations.
Promoting Justice and Equality Through the Bible
Vishal Mangawadi discusses the biblical foundation for promoting justice and equality in society. He shares how the Bible influenced the fight against social evils such as female infanticide and widow burning in India. Mangawadi explains that the Bible's teachings on the dignity of every individual and concepts like the priesthood and kingship of all believers have contributed to the development of democratic ideals. He argues that the rejection of the Bible has led to the loss of these values and that incorporating biblical principles back into society can help re-enchant culture.
Vishal Mangalwadi is a social reformer and philosopher who has been described as 'India's foremost Christian intellectual'. He is the author of 'The book that made your world: How the Bible created the soul of Western civilisation'. Vishal talks to Justin and Belle about the way the Bible has shaped the West and his home country of India, including codifying language and bringing an end to widow burning and infanticide. Belle and Justin also reflect on past guests as this tenth episode marks the end of season 1 of Re-Enchanting.
For Vishal Mangalwadi: https://www.revelationmovement.com/
For Re-Enchanting: https://www.seenandunseen.com/podcast
Send us your suggestions for Season 2: https://www.seenandunseen.com/contact-us
There’s more to life than the world we can see. Re-Enchanting is a podcast from Seen & Unseen recorded at Lambeth Palace Library, the home of the Centre for Cultural Witness. Justin Brierley and Belle Tindall engage faith and spirituality with leading figures in science, history, politics, art and education. Can our culture be re-enchanted by the vision of Christianity?