CONCLUSION

Since Reformation is a process of interpreting the selected past in relation with the modern world, there happened many variances in the decisive factors of the identity of the Mar Thoma Church. They in turn, contributed to the different notions on Reformation within the Mar Thoma Church itself. In this context, the major findings of this study are, 1. Mar Thoma Church is formed in the unique cultural background of Malabar and in association with different Church Traditions. It is a unique Faith Tradition and a Confessional Family like any other primitive Church Traditions. 2. As like any other Postcolonial community, Malankara Church cannot retrieve its pre- colonial identity. So the Reformation cannot be explained as a turn back to the original. So the identity of the Mar Thoma Church is Postcolonial ie, a Hybrid Identity. It is a unique blend of the multiple cultures and faith traditions. 3. Mar Thoma Church allows a large scale of flexibility in non-fundamental faiths and practices 4. It is a Traditional Episcopal Church with the potentials of Modernity. 5. Its eagerness to uplift the weaker sections of the community and to participate the Dalits and women in its priestly body is very genuine and visible. This liberal nature of the Church is a struggle with the cultural barriers prevalent in society.

62 In short Mar Thoma Church is a Traditional Church with Modern potentials. Its identity is beyond the East-West or Traditional-Protestant discriminations. Its Hybrid nature can be explained as Catholic in faith, Orthodox in worship, Episcopal in structure, Missionary in outlook, Evangelical and Social in its goals, Ecumenical in nature, Modern in potentials, and Democratic in administration.