Light Through an Eastern Window

by K C Pillai

2013 Reprint of 1963 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. K. C. Pillai (1900-1970) was a Bishop-at-large of the Indian Orthodox Church in Madras India. He spent the last twenty years of his life in the United States of America on a special mission to acquaint Christians with the orientalisms and customs of the Bible. He wrote books and worked with western Christians to help clarify what he believed were difficult Scriptural passages through an understanding of the eastern manners and customs. During his time in the United States, he became associated with Victor Paul Wierwille, with whom he worked through every orientalism in the Bible from Genesis through Revelation over a six-week period in 1953.

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to keep this one near my scriptures so that I can reference it again when I am reading and studying. I appreciated his insights and understandings of a culture that is so different than anything I am familiar with. There is no way for me to record all of the quotes I highlighted but I will offer up two that really resonated with me.

"From the age of twelve, then, Hindu children continue with this renewing of the mind throughout their adult lives. I know that Christians could benefit from these teachings; in fact there are several verses in Paul's letters which instruct Christians to gain control of their minds; but these are largely overlooked by the Western world, I believe, because they are not understood. The Hindus believe, and Scripture agrees that the things of the flesh are contrary to things of the Spirit. The mind, and all the rest of the senses, are of the flesh. The mind is likely to be full of dread and fear; the spirit is full of love, peace, joy, long-suffering, and so forth. Therefore Yoga practice trains the mind to be in union with the Spirit; and brings it in subjugation to the Spirit. The mind tells you 'it can't be done'; the Spirit says that with God all things are possible. The mind says you surely won't get what you need; the Spirit says your Father knoweth what things you have need of, and they will be supplied out of HIs riches in glory."

"It is true that there have been a number of errors in translation, but you can be sure that the original Word, as received by 'holy men of old (who) spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost' (II Peter 1:21) was perfect, even as He who gave it is perfect!"

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I just found one of my top 5 favorite books. This is a remarkable look at marriage customs, birth, even agriculture aspects of the Bible through the lens of middle eastern culture. I was astonished and moved greatly at insights I had never perceived when reading some stories of the Bible and they way in which they relate to eastern culture vs western culture. It’s so rich. This book is valuable in my opinion and one that deserves another read through.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny hardcover was recommended to me by John Loren Sandford for the way it opens up Hebrew thinking and the customs of Biblical times. KC Pillai was a Hindu convert living in a time when such customs were still current in India: about half a century ago.

It's a short and excellent introduction which makes clear many inexplicable incidents in the Bible: why, for instance, Jael was praised for killing Sisera (he broke a fourfold covenant which included a covenant of salt). It raises questions about the traditional interpretation of some verses and passages, including the woman at the well in Samaria.

I particularly liked the last section(which seemed almost like an afterthought) on the notion of "Canopies".

[Jazmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very informative book. For those of you who like to thoroughly study the bible and its contents, this is a book that you would enjoy.

[Harrison Staab · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and fascinating read. Pillai describes dozens of parables and idioms that may be strange or unfamiliar to a western reader but are full of incredible depth to an eastern one. The Bible was written by people far more closely related culturally to the recent east than to the modern west. I was often surprised by how we have made assumptions about the text without considering more carefully what it would mean to the audience for which it was written. I will read this again and strongly recommend it to any serious student of scripture.

[Robert McInnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bible as read from a Western perspective can be filled with confusing references, seemingly nonsensical statements, and syntax rife with errors. This book is a brief survey of the most glaring misunderstandings found by Western reviewers of scripture, along with added context.

I wish this was a little more academic or well-referenced, but it is nonetheless an interesting view on how biblical idioms/parables/etc. are meant to be understood and how they interact with Eastern custom.

[Charissa Fryberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the Woman at the Well from a non-western perspective. I need to read this one again to grasp a bit more of this nuanced viewpoint.

[Tara Eanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for anyone wanting to understand more about Eastern culture and how it relates to the Bible

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is a Christian that converted from Hinduism. I really enjoyed reading his eastern perspective on chosen biblical topics.