Religion, Culture and Proselytization
John Arun Kumar is a Religious Studies expert, who recently retired as the Head of the Intercultural and Religious Studies Department at SAIACS, Bengaluru, India. Arun’s PhD from the University of Leeds was an anthropological and sociological study of Hindu popular religion. Prior to his theological training, Arun was a Civil Engineer: this included working with the Indian Evangelical Mission, Bengaluru. Having studied in the West, Arun brings to his work with Oxford House specialist understanding of the dynamics of popular religion and its specific character and place in modern India. With a love of languages and ritual, Arun is presently involved in the Lausanne Movement’s network for Hinduism, preparation of a course on world religions for the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life, and various other literary and educational initiatives.