Who Are the Sikhs?
by Pastor Walter Snyder

Q: Where can Sikhism be found around the world? Can you tell a bit about this religion?

A: Sikhism was established in the Punjab, India. It now has a number of adherents in other
nations, particularly the United States, Canada, and portions of Western Europe.

The word "Sikh" comes from the Hindi language and means "disciple." They originated as
dissenters from mainstream (Brahamanical) Hinduism under the leadership of Nanak in the late
Fifteenth or early Sixteen Century AD. Nanak composed part of the ~Adi Granth~, the Sikhs'
sacred scripture. Early Sikhism attempted to unite or form a synthesis with Islam, rejecting many
of the ceremonial and social restrictions of the Hinduism from which it sprang. Thus, Sikh
theology has no caste system and possesses a central tenet of monotheism. However, this
monotheistic thought is tinged with the pantheistic trappings of classic Hindu religion.

A noted missionary to the Sikh people began as one of them. Sundar Singh (1889-1929?) came to
Christianity through the work of Presbyterians in Punjab. After his baptism, he preached among
his people wearing the saffron-colored robe of a ~sadhu~ (holy man) attempting to put a familiar
cultural face upon Christianity. Thus, Sadhu Singh hoped to create an acceptable appearance for
the Faith. Apparently, Singh sought to emulate the great missionary apostle. His actions bring to
mind Paul's comments to the people of Corinth: "I have become all things to all people, that by all
means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its
blessings. (1 Cor 9:22b-23)"

Singh's mission activities included his home town of Rampur and much of the rest of Punjab, as
well as Kashmir, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, and Tibet. On a 1929 mission trip to Tibet, Sadhu
Singh disappeared, never to be heard of again.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~<TM>,
© 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

Ask the Pastor, © 2003 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer,
by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations
into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international
copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."