Paulaseer Lawrie

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Paulaseer Lawrie Muthukrishna (born February 24, 1921 in Munnar , † February 24, 1989 ) was a controversial preacher who had followers worldwide. Known for his spirit healing movement, he initiated the One God, One Nation movement in India.

origin

Lawrie's origin is controversial. Essentially, the dispute is about the origin of the Nadar caste of Tamil Nadu , to which Lawrie belonged. His biographer LD Dale connects him to the Cochin Jews because of some statements by Lawrie . Werner Hoerschelmann sees this as an implausible attempt to place himself as “son of David” in a theological line to Jewish history.

Earlier life

Lawrie was born on February 24, 1921 in Munnar , southern India . Soon after Paulaseer's birth, his family emigrated to Sri Lanka . Lawrie attended St. John's College in Palayamkottai and studied economics in Sri Lanka for a year. He then went to Wesley College in Colombo to receive the London Matric Certificate and studied at Christian College in Tambaram for a Bachelor of Arts. His father prevented Lawrie from enlisting in the British Army in World War II, and Lawrie continued his studies at St. Xavier's College in Palayamkottai .

Lawrie was involved in the "Quit India" movement and worked as a stenographer on a tea plantation in Sri Lanka in the 1940s . It was during this period that Lawrie apparently began reading political and religious works and having visions. It was because of such a vision that he married his wife in 1947.

When his first child became seriously ill, Lawrie prayed in the Church of England and promised to dedicate his life to God if the child recovered. After his child recovered, he quit his job in Ceylon and returned to India. He took a job in Yercaud, South India, and later at the American Christian Medical College Hospital in Vellore .

Evangelical career

As a result of multiple visions, Lawrie quit his job in 1953 to preach. He took part in a Healing Crusade of the preacher William Branham in 1954 in Bombay , an acquaintance that would later become important. A series of "miracles" aroused interest in Lawrie's messages. After preaching in various cities in South India, Lawrie traveled to Ceylon on two mission trips in 1955 and 1956.

After several years of preaching in India, Lawrie was invited to an international conference in Scotland. From Scotland he went on to America, where he tried to get support in the Pentecostal movement . This was largely unsuccessful until he met William Branham again, who encouraged him in his service.

Lawrie saw himself increasingly succeeding Branham, who died in 1965; In 1967 and 1969 he made a long journey to the west and preached to many of Branham's followers. On July 21, 1969 - the day the moon landed - Lawrie claimed to be the incarnation of Jesus Christ. His followers refer to Branham's sermons to show that he recognized Lawrie as such. Lawrie adopted Branham's prediction that a rapture would take place in 1977 and only 700 would be saved. Many American supporters left Lawrie after his prediction for the year failed.

In the 1980s, Lawrie changed its message and began integrating Hindu and Muslim ideas to appeal to more indigenous Indian followers.

Web link

Individual evidence

  1. ^ LD Dale, The Lightning from the East (Alcoa, Tenn .: Wings of Life, 1969?), P. 13
  2. ↑ Werner Hoerschelmann, Christian Gurus: A Study on the Life and Work of Christian Charismatic Leaders in South India (Kilpauk, Chennai, India: Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, 1998), 246. Translation from German, originally published 1973.
  3. ↑ Michael Bergunder : "From Pentecostal Healing Evangelist to Kalki Avatar," in Christians and Missionaries in India: Cross-Cultural Communication since 1500, edited by Robert Eric Frykenberg and Alaine M. Low, Wm. B. Eerdmanns Publishing, 2003, p. 359
  4. ^ "From Pentacostal Healing Evangelist to Kalki Avatar: The Remarkable Life of Paulaseer Lawrie ..." by Michael Bergunder; in Christians and Missionaries in India: Cross-Cultural Communication since 1500, edited by Robert Eric Frykenberg and Alaine M. Low, Wm. B. Eerdmanns Publishing, 2003, p. 357-375.
  5. ↑ The Healer Prophet William Marrion Branham, C. Douglas Weaver and Ed Harrell, Mercer University Press, 2000, p. 161-2
  6. ^ "From Pentacostal Healing Evangelist to Kalki Avatar: The Remarkable Life of Paulaseer Lawrie ..." by Michael Bergunder; in Christians and Missionaries in India: Cross-Cultural Communication since 1500, edited by Robert Eric Frykenberg and Alaine M. Low, Wm. B. Eerdmanns Publishing, 2003, p. 357-375.
personal data
SURNAME Lawrie, Paulaseer
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Lawrie Muthukrishna, Paulaseer (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Indian preacher
DATE OF BIRTH February 24, 1921
PLACE OF BIRTH Munnar
DATE OF DEATH February 24, 1989