Orientalisms of the Bible, Volume II - Proverbs, Chapters 1 through 16

by Bishop KC Pillai

star (1)

Overview - In this book, K. C. Pillai, Doctor of Divinity and a native of India, draws on his extensive knowledge and first-hand understanding of Bible customs, manners, and idioms to uncover great truths concerning scriptures that perplex the Westerner’s mind simply because he lacks an understanding of the peculiar expressions and traditions underlying the scriptural passage. Through an understanding of the Eastern culture, the reader gains answers to questions such as: Should we fear the Lord? What is the “apple” of your eye? Does the Lord take away your wealth if you are bad? How can it be bad ... See more details below

Other Books by Bishop KC Pillai

Orientalisms of the Bible, Volume II - Proverbs, Chapters 1 through 16

Overview

In this book, K. C. Pillai, Doctor of Divinity and a native of India, draws on his extensive knowledge and first-hand understanding of Bible customs, manners, and idioms to uncover great truths concerning scriptures that perplex the Westerner’s mind simply because he lacks an understanding of the peculiar expressions and traditions underlying the scriptural passage. Through an understanding of the Eastern culture, the reader gains answers to questions such as: Should we fear the Lord? What is the “apple” of your eye? Does the Lord take away your wealth if you are bad? How can it be bad for someone to show you “tender mercy”? Beyond unlocking puzzling passages, the author inspires readers to a greater commitment and awareness of God's power and goodness.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780910068703

Publisher: American Christian Press, The Way International; 2nd edition

Format: Hard Cover

Publication Date: January 1, 1986

Product dimensions: 6.3 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches

Meet the Author

As a convert to Christianity from Hinduism, Bishop K.C. Pillai came to the Western world on a singular mission: to teach the Eastern culture of the Bible. Although Christianity is generally considered a western religion, the Bible itself was written and set in the Orient, and it must be viewed through the light of that eastern window. The Bible is filled with passages that perplex the Western mind, and yet they were readily understood by the Easterner. When the reader becomes knowledgeable of the oriental idioms, customs, and traditions of the Biblical setting, these Scriptures become clear.

God called Bishop K.C. Pillai to reveal these Biblical truths he called Orientalisms. At the time of the Bishop’s early life, his native India had remained an isolated country for thousands of years. Therefore, the customs and manners of the people were still aligned with the Eastern, Biblical culture. For over twenty years, Bishop Pillai taught these Orientalisms, bringing great enlightenment to the Christian world. His crusade of imparting this light of the Eastern Culture carried him to numerous universities and seminaries, as well as every major denomination throughout the United States, England and Canada. Still today, his teachings remain the foremost authority on the rare gems of Biblical customs and culture.

Bishop K.C. Pillai’s conversion to Christianity is a witness of God’s heart, as well as a lesson in one of the most significant Eastern customs found in the Bible. The Bishop was raised as a Hindu. When a Hindu child of the ruling class is born, a little salt is rubbed on the baby who is then wrapped in swaddling cloth. This custom invoked one of the oldest and strongest covenants in the Eastern world, the “salt covenant.” In this particular instance, the child was salted for a lifetime of dedication to the Hindu religion. The “salt covenant” is used in like manner throughout the Bible to seal the deepest commitment.

As a result of the salt covenant it is difficult for Hindus to convert to Christianity. When they do, their family actually conducts a funeral service to symbolize that the individual is dead to their family, the community and Hinduism. Their family will carry a portrait of the “deceased” to the cemetery and bury it. Many times Bishop spoke of his “burial day” when he was disinherited by becoming a Christian; the only Hindu willing to break that covenant of salt in his community during that time.

K.C. Pillai answered God’s call and served as Bishop of North Madras in the Indian Orthodox Church. Sent on a special mission to the United States, he spent the last twenty years of his life acquainting Christians with the Orientalisms of the Bible. The interest Bishop Pillai generated in the field has led to numerous further studies by other scholars in the field of manners and customs in the Bible, as well. His books and teachings continue to illuminate and inspire students of the Bible throughout the world. A solid understanding of Orientalisms is essential to “rightly dividing” the Word of truth, and Bishop K.C. Pillai’s works remain an indispensable reference.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5.0

star (1)

Rating Distribution

5 Star

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

(1)

(0)

(0)

(0)

(0)

Your Rating:  full star empty star full star empty star full star empty star full star empty star full star empty star Tips for Writing a Review >

Remaining characters: 3500   

Add Recommendation >

Your Name    or    Leave Anonymously

Sort by:  Showing all of 1 Customer Reviews

anonymous

Posted 7th December 2013 03:10 PM

star We're from the West, but the Bible is from the East!

What does it mean to "heap coals of fire" on someone's head (Romans 12:20)? Those of us in the Western world might find it an attempt to burn and hurt. But we don't understand that the Bible is an Eastern book! Just as we have idioms and cultural practices, such was the case in the lands and times of the Bible. Coals on the head would warm the person...it would be an expression of the love of God. K.C. Pillai gives plain, clear understanding of many such seemingly problematic scriptures -- scriptures we Westerners would never understand, not being familiar with the culture of the lands and times of the Bible. God wants us to understand His Word, and K.C. Pillai's books on Orientalisms brings great understanding of cultural sayings and practices in both the Old and New Testaments! V.P. Weirwille, a wonderful man of God and the author of "Power for Abundant Living", points out that one of the things any student of the Bible must realize is that in order to allow the Bible to interpret itself (which it does!), we must read it in light of Orientalisms.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Report this review