RĀMĀNUJA'S THEOLOGY AND CHRISTIAN THEISM

Abstract

This article explores the theological parallels and differences between Ramanuja's Srivaisnava tradition and Christian theism. Author John B. Carman, drawing from his book The Theology of Ramanuja: An Essay in Interreligious Understanding, examines Ramanuja's unique interpretation of Vedanta, which balances monism and pluralism by affirming God's singular reality and intimate relationship with His creation. The paper highlights Ramanuja's "hyperrealistic" epistemology, which asserts the inherent trustworthiness of human perception, and his central teaching on the two facets of the Divine: supremacy (Paratva) and accessibility (Saulabhya). Carman discusses how Ramanuja emphasizes God's direct control over the finite world and His repeated descents to protect and commune with devotees. The article ultimately seeks to provide a framework for Indian Christian theologians to assess the significance of Ramanuja's thought, both as an inheritance and as a living faith of a neighbor.