Theology and Teaching of Church of the East

What is distinctive about the Church's theology?

To answer this question we are asked to isolate a few theological aspects that are central to the Church, that are somewhat different to other movements and together thus forms a body of teaching that makes itself distinguishable as the theology of Church of the East. This cannot be satisfactorily accomplished because all the theologies in the world are but syncretisms of their formative cultural environment.

Should this question be asked by a Hindu we would probably answer that we are Hindus who follow Yesu the Saviour. Similarly, we could in all truth answer a Buddhist that we are Buddhists following Yesu the Saviour. To the western Christian we would have to explain that we are followers of the original movement, The Way of Jesus. This would necessarily involve teaching them about the central doctrines (which they probably adhere to but by other names) of reincarnation, karma, dharma, humility, simplicity and compassion.

Theology, Teaching and Training

BrahmaMatha Aparetana

This is perhaps what can be regarded as Church of the East's distinctive theology:: We follow The Way of Jesus to which the following doctrines are central: humility, simplicity, compassion, reincarnation, karma, dharma, and deification of human beings through the process of theosis (yoga) -- as we 'imitate Christ', ‘become like Christ'; and the knowledge that the key to the purpose of life lies in living a full, exciting life, holistically practicing love -- which is the higher form of knowledge.

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