Abraham Malpan’s Reformational Ideas and its contemporary significance .

Truth is Eternal and Timeless, so only time changes, Truth never change, that’s why
Ancient Indian Rishis defined Truth as “Changeless” ( Sathyam ennal
Mattamillathau).

Many raise the questions about the significance of Abraham Malpan in this
technologic world. Some considers that we need a “new philosophy of Christianity in
this modern world”. “a new idea of Church”. All want to see a church that changes
itself with the moods and fads of time. Learned Scholar Peter Kreeft defined these
demands for a new church as “cafeteria Church”. Church at coffe table!.

Todays topic have grass root base in scripture. 2 Books in the Bible gives us
scripture based answer to the question about the significance of the spirits or ideas
of Abraham Malpan. We will go deep in to the these words inorder to draw the
living water from its depth, which will enable us to understand the “ need of the
hour” and how “ these principles “ can provide a remedy for our confusion.

Lets turn to Proverbs 22:28

“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set”

This is what the holy scripture prescribe for us today.

a) Remove NOT – it’s a warning and caution for us from the scriptures.
b) Ancient land mark… All the land marks in the world was set by those who
travelled through this and set for the familiarity and convenience of those
who coming after them, these are guide post, signpost which will leads to
blessings and assurance. Remove at own risk!
c) Thy Fathers . Who have made the set up… “thy” father. We are the part of a
great family of God so scripture advice us to cling to our fathers. Ask
ourselves what made Isaac and Jacob to command to bury them with their
father’s tomb side? What made david to collect bones of Soul and jonathen
and buried in their fathers tomb! That’s the family concept. We are a family.
It was made by “our fathers “ not strangers!

This words applicable for those who continue the fellowship of

Marthoma/evangelical church from traditionally.

But Scripture gives another reference for those who stand in midst of the century
and looking for a right route to revive the lifes and fellowships.

Lets Read Jeremiah 6: 16 Here is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads
and look; ask about the ancient paths, ‘Which one is the good way?’ Take it, and
you will find rest for your souls.”

There is an ancient road that has been left for us to follow. We read about it in the
Holy Scriptures. We read about the heroes of the faith who have walked the road
before us. This is a kind of life that we are instructed in the Holy Scriptures. This
way yields good fruit, if we are being nourished from the root.
What is this road? What is this root? It is the way of the Fathers,

Scripture suggest “Stand at the cross roads” not only present look at past and
drew strength and energy for future… Cross roads, cross roads of time!cross roads
of confusion, modernity, technology

These two words give us the thought for todays sermon.

Should I look at the ancient path taken by My father’s for finding rest for our souls?

Lets come to Abraham malpan.

To study a persons ideas and philosophy we need to study his life because the
philosophy which he carried closely united to his soul and which flows through his
life !

Abraham Malpans life divided in to 3 catagories.

a) Pre- reformation Era.b) Reformation Era c) Post reformation Era.

What caused the desire for reformation…

There was a nucleus of people in the church who longed for the removal of
unscriptural customs and practices which had crept into the church over the
centuries. They envisioned a reformation in the Church in the light of the Gospel of
our Lord. There were two outstanding leaders in this group, one was Palakunnathu
Abraham Malpan of Maramon (1796-1845) and the other, Kaithayil Geevarughese
Malpan of Puthuppally(1800-1855). Both were teachers in the Syrian Seminary
(established in AD 1813 by Pulikottil Mar Dionysius) and had had opportunities to
come into close personal contact with the missionaries and to share their insights
regarding the Christian life and the nature and function of the Church as depicted in
the New Testament and to imbibe the ideas of the Western Reformation. The group
led by these two was very much concerned about the need of a revival in the
Church.

a) A desire and a vision to revive the church from all ill practices. This
was the prayer and dream of many holy church fathers in Universal church
during 11th and 12th century. The desire to revive church is a greatest vision a
person can ever carry. I recall the dying words of 11 th century church father
St Bernard he cried out once “Who will grant me, before I die, to see
the church of God such as she had been in the ancient times”. If this
holy man had anything to regret at his death, it was, he had not witnessed
so happy a CHANGE! This father had gone to an extent where he reminded
Pope to ‘stop all business and start contemplation of divine mysteries”.
Sometimes Church higher-ups will never knew the degradation process
happening in grass root level, many a times as we see in church history, the
spiritual elements fall in to business and avarice, this lead to an evil life and
ruining of solid foundations. Abraham Malpan was able to sense the deep
degeneration that creeps in the temple of God. Same parallel can be traced
to Universal Church on 13th century where Cardinal Julian after visiting
 Germany reported to Pope Euginus “If the clergy of the germany were
not reformed immediately, great evil will fall up on us” He says further
“I see the axe is at the root, the tree begins to bend, instead of
stopping it we accelerate its fall”! Abraham malpan carried the same zeal
and vision about his father’s church. He saw the axe on its root like Cardinal
Julian. This teaches us the lesson that only a person who love the church will
see the need for revival!

b) Close encounter with those who studied the scripture. Abraham

Malpan was drawn towards Anglican missionaries and to share their insights
regarding the Christian life and the nature and function of the Church as
depicted in the New Testament. Acts of apostles depicts Acts 18:26: He
(Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila
heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of
God more adequately. Holy Scripture says though Apollos able to do a great
work, he still missed a right doctrinal basis. Priscilla and Aquilla trained him
in Truth. Likewise Abraham Malpan was influenced by few of the Anglican
missionaries especially Dr. Claudius Buchanan.

c) Right partner to share the vision: Kaithayil Geevarughese Malpan of

Puthuppally. Both were teachers in the Syrian Seminary and had had
opportunities to come into close personal contact with the missionaries The
group led by these two was very much concerned about the need of a revival
in the Church.

Lets Move to 2nd: Reformation Era.

History - Palakkunnathu Abraham Malpan from Maramon and Kaithayil Geevarghese

Malpan from Kottayam who spearheaded this movement, never wanted to start a
separate Church. They wanted the reformation staying within the Church. They
approached the british resident for a solution but nothing came solid so Abraham
Malpan decided to take action in his own parish of Maramon which was
sympathetic towards his ideas of reform. He translated the liturgy of the Holy
Qurbana into local language Malayalam from Syriac and also eliminated from it the
prayers for the dead and invocation of saints etc. He celebrated Holy Qurbana in his
church using the revised St.James liturgy on a Sunday in 1836. This was
tantamount to firing the first shot of the reformation. He later on removed from the
church the wooden image of a saint reputed to have miraculous powers, and in
whose honor an annual festival was held that brought in huge income to
the Parish. Both at Maramon and at the Syrian Seminary at Kottayam, and in the
neighboring Parishes of Pallom and Kollad, Abraham Malpan popularized Bible
teaching and preaching. Abraham Malpan and Geevarghese Malpan had to give
up their service in the Seminary, in 1840. Since then Abraham Malpan concentrated
his attention on the work of reform, holding Bible classes and prayer meetings and
instructing the deacons who were loyal to him.
Most prominent elements in the Reformation were:

1. Return to the gospel message of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ;

2. Cleansing of wrong ways of life, and

3. Taking up responsibility to be witnesses of Jesus Christ to other;

4. All importance be given to the primacy of the Word of God.

Thus the reformation movement was started. It was a return to the purity of the life
and practice of the early Church. The emphasis on preaching the word of God led to
revival meetings, which were led both by the clergy and laymen. The domination of
the clergy as custodians of grace became a thing of the past. Emphasis was given
to the sole mediation of Christ, importance of laity and priesthood of all believers.
More and more groups were formed for Bible study; and conventions for preaching
and hearing the Word of God became common.

Post Reformation

Though the reformists succeeded in introducing the revised order of worship and
successfully discontinued many practices, they had to pay a heavy price for
achieving the desired result and had to face serious mental and financial
strains arising out of the prolonged legal battles. In pursuance of the
judgment handed out by the Royal Court of Appeal, Bishops consecrated by the
reformists group lost control of the Malankara Church and had to vacate the Syrian
Seminary at Kottayam.

a) Change is not possible unless we are ready to pay the cost.

b) Bishop sheen Once said whenever there is an outpouring of holysprirt, demonic

power will more aggressive which leads to persecution and loss even death as it is
in the case of Stephan in acts of apostles. Likewise, here we can see that
reformation was met with rigrous measurements!.

Abraham malpan died at the age of 49!

This reminds us “its not how many years we lived in this world but how
effectively we kindle the love of God in our days”

As Great St Francis Assisi Prayed “ Lord make me an instrument of Love”.

All Great leaders carry the legacy. Abraham Malpans commitment inspired his son
also and he (Thomas Mar Athanasius) continued the reformation which his father
closely held at his heart. He was offered to be at Church main person the moment
he lost the case, but he preferred to be with his father’s vision . Even though the
reform party lost their hereditary and rightful possession, it became the occasion
for the people to turn to God and to go forward in faith, trusting in the power of
God. This led to a spiritual revival and great joy in spite of difficulties. It was this
spiritual fervour which sustained the people. The Maramon Convention was started
about this time in the year 1896.

Today in evangelical Church, we need to answer the question. Does reformation

enough? Is it an event happened in the past or a continuous journey as long as
human beings are there….

History proves that we need reformation every day in our walks of life, Christian life
is a journey that never end until we meet HIM face to face, if this is true in each
Christians life then it is applicable for Church also.

Now this lessons gives us the insight, time change, people change but the need for
reformation will never change, the ill practice that dominated during Abraham
malpans time may not be the degenerating factor church faces today, whatever it
may be, but the solution is always same …

“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set”

Hold on the belief of our fathers, we cannot separate the past from us, which is
closely united to our soul like wise the tradition of our church cannot be forgotten
even if mans can start a restaurant in Mars or in Moon. Because the foundation of
church is in Christ and he is eternal and Timeless so the principle which inspired
Abraham malpans life still influences us and his vision must be the vision for our
life.

Jeremiah 6: 16 Here is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask
about the ancient paths, ‘Which one is the good way?’ Take it, and you will find rest
for your souls.”

You can ask “ Which one is the good way”? but take only path that fathers took!

God bless you.