SOTERIOLOGY FROM A CHRISTIAN AND HINDU PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This paper makes an attempt to determine the extent of influence of the Gita and the Upanishads on Simone Weil in her soteriological concepts. It wilt begin with a summary of these concepts then turn to discuss the role of these Indian texts, in their development.

The concept of detachment plays a major role in Weil's thought. It is closely related to her concept of creation, or to use Weil's term, 'decreation.' Just as God relinquished part of his power in creation, we too, are given a chance to respond by relinquishing the only power we possess in this world, the power to say .  In giving up this power we come to see ourselves as creatures totally dependent on God for our existence or, as 'non-beings.  In renouncing the 'l', which we believe is our existence, we will emerge from non-being. However, we cannot know this for sure, for with such knowledge the value of our renunciation would be lost.