Welcome to Breakpoint, a daily look at an ever-changing culture through the lens of unchanging truth.

For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street.

According to church history, Thomas, the disciple best known for his doubting, first took the name of Christ to India.

And he ushered in a rich and centuries-long history of Christ's followers there.

These so-called Thomas Christians, as they're known, have provided a faithful presence in that region,

along with the missionaries and others who continue to bring the gospel and start churches in India.

Perhaps best known, renowned missionary Amy Carmichael, noted for providing a sanctuary for women and girls in India

who were seeking to escape slavery and prostitution.

She was also instrumental in the outlaw of those practices in the nation.

Another example, Scottish missionary Dr. Alexander Duff.

He offered an education in English in the sciences and biblical studies,

hoping that upper caste Hindu students would see the contradictions in their own

worldview and move toward Christianity. His work there helped bring Krishna Banerji to Christ,

who brought modern ideas of scholarship and social justice to India and developed an approach

to Christianity that honored Indian culture while also remaining firmly anchored in evangelical tradition.

Now, Hindu authorities have spent centuries attempting to stamp out the flame of Christ that was

ignited by the Apostle Thomas.

In fact, their efforts continue to this day.

Despite the work and the witness of faithful leaders, India remains a place of religious persecution,

with anti-conversion laws, deadly elections,

brutal treatment of Christians and non-Hindu minorities there. Nearly half of India's 28 states have

anti-conversion laws, and there's been an intensification of Hindu nationalism bringing mob violence

...