heavensmentality
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- Sep 28, 2024
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The Christian Roots of Sikhism
Guru Nanak taught:
The Fatherhood of God
The love, mercy and justice of God
The brotherhood of man
The necessity of obedience to the inward voice divine
The unerring working of divine justice
The necessity of a divine Teacher
The existence of One who can put away sin, under the name of Hari (the One Who puts away)
The folly and sin of idolatry
Guru Nanak's teaching was influenced by reformers who had gone before him, especially by Kabir. It was formed by the noblest principles in the religions of his day, namely the bhakti (devotional) movement of Hinduism and the Sufi (devotional) movement of Islam. The bhakti movement (Ravidas. Namdev, Dhanna) and Sufism (Mardana, Kabir, Farid) shaped Guru Nanak and early Sikhism. Both movements were influenced by Syriac Christianity and much of early Christian influence remains in Sikhi.
For example, the 3 Pillars of the Early Church are the same 3 Pillars of Sikhism:
1. Early to bed & early to rise - Amrit Vela (early morning communal prayer)
2. Honest Labor
3. Eating and Sharing Together - daily breaking bread together
The 4th pillar is seva (selfless service)
Ephesians 4:28
Let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may behave properly towards outsiders and be dependent on no one.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
If anyone will not work, neither will he eat
Acts 2:44-46
All who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and simplicity of heart.
Acts 4:34-35
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
There are many connections between early Sikhism and early Christianity
Early Christianity is communal, anti-ceremonial (anti-ritualistic) and itinerant, very much like early Sikhism
Christians live together, eat together, share together, work together
Christians spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)
Christians link their lives together
Christians are itinerants, wanderers, nomads
This is opposite of modern Western culture (Babylon)
Many elements of Sikhi are similar to the central truths of Christianity. It can serve as a tutor to bring men to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
The Shabad of the SGGS = the Eternal Logos
Waheguru = Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
In early youth, Guru Nanak was noted for his liking for the society of holy men and for his love of meditation. Like other Hindu lads he was married in early life and he lived with his wife till two sons were born to them. He then forsook his home and joined the company of some Sadhs, ie. religious mendicants. He is said to have visited most of the holy shrines of India accompanied by Mardana, a Mohammedan musician. It is related that he wandered even as far as Mecca. Guru Nanak was by no means a speculative philosopher, nor did he attempt to build up a new religion on scientific principles. He followed the devotional strain of Hindu philosophy of those days and there is also in his writings the influence of Sufiism. He dreamed at one time of establishing a religion that could embrace both Hindus and Mohammedans.
So Sikhism is the result of bringing together bhakti and Sufism which are both outgrowth of Christian teaching as found in Syriac Christianity
Therefore Sikhism has Christian roots traced through bhakti and Sufism, both of which adapted the Christian teaching of the Church of that time (Syriac Christianity)
Guru Nanak in his wanderings may have even come into contact with Christianity himself. There exists a sect of fakirs who claim to be the descendants of men converted to Christianity by the preaching of Saint Thomas, when that apostle visited India. These men have in their possession both the Gospel of Matthew and the writings of Guru Nanak, and they render equal honour to both. Guru Nanak during his many and wide travels, may have met with this sect and even with the Syrian Christians in Travancore, and through them acquired some knowledge of the religion of Christ.
On reading Guru Nanak, sometimes the mind goes to the Gospels. There are many saloks in the Granth which bear a remarkable resemblance to much that is found in the Gospels and Psalms. This likeness led a learned Indian Christian of the district of Gujarat to study the Granth closely, and the conclusion he came to was that Nanak was a convinced Christian, who taught, but in obscure language, the whole doctrine of the Life of Christ, from His birth to His Ascension.
Indeed, there is much overlap between the Guru Granth Sahib and the Bible. Also, when reading the writings of the Bhagats (saints) of the SGGS, it is very similar language to the writings of the saints and Fathers of the Syriac Church (Ephrem the Syrian, Jacob of Sarug, Isaac of Nineveh, Pseudo-Macarius / Macarius-Simeon).
The true Light that enlightens every man (John 1:9) has not left Himself without witness (Acts 14:17) in any age or nation.
Sikhism and the Resurrection
The main point that distinguishes Christianity from Sikhism is the Resurrection of the Dead
Was Guru Nanak buried or cremated?
We know that Christians do not burn the body after death because the body is holy and must be treated with the greatest respect and given honorable burial awaiting the Resurrection of the Dead as it says in 1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15:42
Our bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever
Burning of bodies (cremation) is the antithesis of the central belief of Christianity, the Resurrection of the Dead
If the Resurrection of the Dead is true, reincarnation cannot be true
Even in Guru Nanak's death we see this debate, some of his followers wanted burial and others cremation
Therefore as much as the beauty and the hunger for reality and union with God exists in Sikhi
It still falls short because it does not give us the hope of the Resurrection which is Christ
John 11:25
I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies.
Recommended books:
Sikhism by the Rev. E. Guilford, C.M.S. Missionary in Tarn Taran, Punjab (1915)
The Sikhs and Their Scriptures by C. H. Loehlin
The Granth of Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa Brotherhood by C. H. Loehlin
Books on the life of Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-?)
Guru Nanak taught:
The Fatherhood of God
The love, mercy and justice of God
The brotherhood of man
The necessity of obedience to the inward voice divine
The unerring working of divine justice
The necessity of a divine Teacher
The existence of One who can put away sin, under the name of Hari (the One Who puts away)
The folly and sin of idolatry
Guru Nanak's teaching was influenced by reformers who had gone before him, especially by Kabir. It was formed by the noblest principles in the religions of his day, namely the bhakti (devotional) movement of Hinduism and the Sufi (devotional) movement of Islam. The bhakti movement (Ravidas. Namdev, Dhanna) and Sufism (Mardana, Kabir, Farid) shaped Guru Nanak and early Sikhism. Both movements were influenced by Syriac Christianity and much of early Christian influence remains in Sikhi.
For example, the 3 Pillars of the Early Church are the same 3 Pillars of Sikhism:
1. Early to bed & early to rise - Amrit Vela (early morning communal prayer)
2. Honest Labor
3. Eating and Sharing Together - daily breaking bread together
The 4th pillar is seva (selfless service)
Ephesians 4:28
Let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may behave properly towards outsiders and be dependent on no one.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
If anyone will not work, neither will he eat
Acts 2:44-46
All who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and simplicity of heart.
Acts 4:34-35
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
There are many connections between early Sikhism and early Christianity
Early Christianity is communal, anti-ceremonial (anti-ritualistic) and itinerant, very much like early Sikhism
Christians live together, eat together, share together, work together
Christians spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)
Christians link their lives together
Christians are itinerants, wanderers, nomads
This is opposite of modern Western culture (Babylon)
Many elements of Sikhi are similar to the central truths of Christianity. It can serve as a tutor to bring men to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
The Shabad of the SGGS = the Eternal Logos
Waheguru = Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
In early youth, Guru Nanak was noted for his liking for the society of holy men and for his love of meditation. Like other Hindu lads he was married in early life and he lived with his wife till two sons were born to them. He then forsook his home and joined the company of some Sadhs, ie. religious mendicants. He is said to have visited most of the holy shrines of India accompanied by Mardana, a Mohammedan musician. It is related that he wandered even as far as Mecca. Guru Nanak was by no means a speculative philosopher, nor did he attempt to build up a new religion on scientific principles. He followed the devotional strain of Hindu philosophy of those days and there is also in his writings the influence of Sufiism. He dreamed at one time of establishing a religion that could embrace both Hindus and Mohammedans.
So Sikhism is the result of bringing together bhakti and Sufism which are both outgrowth of Christian teaching as found in Syriac Christianity
Therefore Sikhism has Christian roots traced through bhakti and Sufism, both of which adapted the Christian teaching of the Church of that time (Syriac Christianity)
Guru Nanak in his wanderings may have even come into contact with Christianity himself. There exists a sect of fakirs who claim to be the descendants of men converted to Christianity by the preaching of Saint Thomas, when that apostle visited India. These men have in their possession both the Gospel of Matthew and the writings of Guru Nanak, and they render equal honour to both. Guru Nanak during his many and wide travels, may have met with this sect and even with the Syrian Christians in Travancore, and through them acquired some knowledge of the religion of Christ.
On reading Guru Nanak, sometimes the mind goes to the Gospels. There are many saloks in the Granth which bear a remarkable resemblance to much that is found in the Gospels and Psalms. This likeness led a learned Indian Christian of the district of Gujarat to study the Granth closely, and the conclusion he came to was that Nanak was a convinced Christian, who taught, but in obscure language, the whole doctrine of the Life of Christ, from His birth to His Ascension.
Indeed, there is much overlap between the Guru Granth Sahib and the Bible. Also, when reading the writings of the Bhagats (saints) of the SGGS, it is very similar language to the writings of the saints and Fathers of the Syriac Church (Ephrem the Syrian, Jacob of Sarug, Isaac of Nineveh, Pseudo-Macarius / Macarius-Simeon).
The true Light that enlightens every man (John 1:9) has not left Himself without witness (Acts 14:17) in any age or nation.
Sikhism and the Resurrection
The main point that distinguishes Christianity from Sikhism is the Resurrection of the Dead
Was Guru Nanak buried or cremated?
We know that Christians do not burn the body after death because the body is holy and must be treated with the greatest respect and given honorable burial awaiting the Resurrection of the Dead as it says in 1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15:42
Our bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever
Burning of bodies (cremation) is the antithesis of the central belief of Christianity, the Resurrection of the Dead
If the Resurrection of the Dead is true, reincarnation cannot be true
Even in Guru Nanak's death we see this debate, some of his followers wanted burial and others cremation
Therefore as much as the beauty and the hunger for reality and union with God exists in Sikhi
It still falls short because it does not give us the hope of the Resurrection which is Christ
John 11:25
I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies.
Recommended books:
Sikhism by the Rev. E. Guilford, C.M.S. Missionary in Tarn Taran, Punjab (1915)
The Sikhs and Their Scriptures by C. H. Loehlin
The Granth of Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa Brotherhood by C. H. Loehlin
Books on the life of Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-?)
