Public Lecture on "The Bible and Asia"

A public lecture on the book "The Bible and Asia" by Dr. R.S. Sugirtharajah and its review by Mr. Narasiah was held on March 3rd at the Zigenbalg chapel in the UTC. The seminar was jointly organized by the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC) and the Department of Biblical Studies of the United Theological College.

The session began with opening prayer by  Rev. Dr. Vincent Rajkumar, director of CISRS, Bangalore. Dr. John Samuel Raj, the principal of the United Theological College, Bangalore moderated the session and in his introductory remarks, Dr. John Samuel Raj made initial observations about the relevance of the book. Dr. Mohan Larbeer, BTESSC, formally welcomed the gathering and introduced the guest speaker to the participants.

In his lecture, ‘Celebration of the Book,’ Mr. Narasiah briefly summarized the content of the seven chapters of the book and explained the various stages of the reception of the Bible in Asia. He informed the audience about the several links between the biblical narratives and the native culture of India. He also emphasized the transformation of the Bible from a book of inspiration to a book of religion and later to a book of aggression by colonial powers. He highlighted the fact that the book was about the reception of the Bible in Asia. Narasiah, however, emphasized that the bible could be a medium of coming together of two societies. He congratulated the author for his convictions and courage for initiating a conversation between the two cultures without taking sides.

The response to the review was initiated by Dr. David Joy, who critically viewed  the methodology Sugirtharaj had adapted to study the two cultures – West and East. He also questioned the possibility of how best one can construct the pre-Christian era, without which the study would be superficial. Questions were also raised on the content of myths and metaphors the author used in the book, which are completely ignored as oppressive in nature by the native communities to which the book addresses.

Later, the floor was open for discussion and questions. Critical questions revolved around relevance or irrelevance of post-colonial methodology which the author has adopted in his book, saying it is time to dismantle post colonial methodology and move beyond. Comments were also made of the lack of sensitivity to the Indian and Asian context(s), especially to glaring poverty and inequality. 

Dr. Sugirtharajah was part of the deliberations through video conferencing arranged by the Department of Communication of the UTC. In his response Dr. Sugirtharajah said post colonial methodology is appropriate as long as neo-colonial forces are at work in this world. He also said, we should not consider our contribution to biblical studies as an alternative, but see it along with western methodology. The seminar encouraged the participants to look at the scripture anew. 

The public lecture concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Dexter S. Maben, the acting chairperson of the department of Biblical Studies.

Public Lecture on the book "The Bible and Asia"

THE DEPARTMENT OF BIBLICAL STUDIES  OF UNITED THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE,BANGLAORE

And

BOARD OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION OF SENATE OF SERAMPORE COLLEGE

                                                                                                                                    21.02.2014

Dear Friends,

We are organising a public lecture on the recent book,  ‘THE BIBLE AND ASIA’  from the Pre-Christian Era to the Post colonial Age’,  written by R.S.SUGIRTHARAJAH  Emeritus Professor of Biblical Hermeneutics at the University of Birmingham on 3^rd March (Monday), 2014  at the Tagore Hall in the United Theological College, Benson Town, Banglalore,  at 4.30 pm.  Mr.K.R.A.Narasaiah a regular reviewer of books for the Hindu newspaper from Chennai will present a review paper of this book which will be responded by Rev. Dr.David Joy,  Professor of New Testament  UTC and moderated by Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj,  Professor of Old Testament and Principal of UTC.  Following is an abstract of the book for your information.

“Though the Bible is a product of West Asia, its influence on Europe and the Americas has reviewed for more attention than its complex career in the East.  R.S. Sugirtharajah corrects this imbalance with the expansive new study of Asia’s subversive and idiosyncratic relationship with the Bible.  This is the story of missionaries, imperialists, exegetes, reformers and nationalists who moulded biblical text according to their own needs in order to influence religion, politics and daily life from India to China. When the Bible reached east and south Asia in the third century CE, its Christian scriptures already bore traces of Asian commodities and Indian moral stories.  In China, the Bible merged with the teachings of Buddha and Lao Tzu to produce the Jesus Sutras.  As he recounts the history of how Christianity was influenced by other Asia religions, Sugirtharajah deftly highlights the controversial issue of Buddhist and Vedic influence on biblical religion.

Once used to justify European rule in Asia the bible has also served to promote the spiritual salivation of women, outcasts and the untouchables.  The Bible has left a literary mark on Asia in two ways; through its influence on Asian writers and through the reinvigoration of modern Asian vernaculars when proselytizing missionaries introduced western print culture to the east”.

We will be happy if your faculty and students participate in this discussion.

Dexter Maben                                                                                                  P.Mohan Larbeer

Chairperson (Acting)

Department of Biblical Studies           

UTC                                                                                                                Secretary, BTESSC

Bible Darshan: Conference Summation

CONFERENCE PROFILE

The  Bible Darshan – An International Conference, hosted by the Department of Biblical Studies at  the United Theological College, Bangalore is a unique experiment to be cherished, in the long history of the College. This is particularly because of the distinguished guests and participants, who represented eight different nations (Australia, Germany, Kuwait, Myanmar, Nigeria, UK, Sweden and the host – India). Participants from India represented twelve states (Andra Pradesh, Araunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradhesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal) and one Union territory (Delhi), thus covering North to South and East to West of India.

Under the theme Exploring the New Frontiers for Post-Western Biblical Studies, the conference attempted to challenge biblical scholars in India and in the West to engage with one another, share insights with each other and evolve new frontiers for further research in India/Asia, thereby seeking to engage with texts and contexts for future engagement in the country and beyond.

INAUGURAL REPORT

The long awaited Bible Darshan, an international conference, hosted by the Biblical Studies Department of the United Theological College, deliberating the theme, Exploring New Frontiers for Post-Western Biblical Studies from 30^th to Feb.1, 2014 was inaugurated on Jan 30th at 10:00 A.M. in the Ecemenical Resource Centre of the UTC.  The “Lighting of the Lamp”, a symbol of Invitation and Life was initiated through Dr. J. R. John Samuel Raj, Principal, UTC, Dr. Mohan Larbeer, Secretary, BTESSC, Dr. Monica Jyotsna Melanchton, Professor of Old Testament and Secretary, Society of Biblical Studies in Asia (SABS), Dr. Vasanth Rao,  Principal ACTC and President Society for Biblical Studies in Asia (SBSI) and  Dr. David J. Chalcraft, Professor of Old Testament, University of Sheffield, UK. Dr. Dexter S. Maben, Coordinator, Bible Darshan welcomed and introduced the distinguished participants from home and abroad.

Dr. J. R. John Samuel Raj in his inaugural address, extended his greetings and made clear the college's happiness in hosting the conference here. He expressed, “UTC is a meeting point of God’s people.” He added, it is the first ecumenical college in Asia that has journeyed for 104 years till date. It is the place where Shudra Theology and Dalit Theology emerged. It also has an advanced post-graduate and doctoral program under the Serampore University. By the 1970s, UTC became a place for inter-religious studies and dialogue and a very important India-Pakistan dialogue took place in the campus.

Reflecting from 2 Timothy 4: 1-5, the principal talked on perseverance in life. Teachers from around the globe who taught at UTC have always encouraged the students to persevere and carry out the ministry and responsibilities throughout the world.

Instrumental Fusion by the students of UTC brought about a mood of worship and lifted the floor to praise God. The commitment song “God Bless the child”was very powerful.

 

CONFERENCE SUMMARY

Under the promising theme Exploring New Frontiers for Post-Western Biblical Studies, there were altogether twenty presentations – six thematic and fourteen papers. The topics were:

·         Sociology and the Study of Cultural Context in Global Biblical Interpretation

·        ‘The Other Side of the Coin’: Some Reflections on Post-Western Re-awakening

·    The Parables of Two Rich Men and a Beggar (Luke 12:16-20 and 16:19-31): Their Relevance for Interpreting the Bible in India Today

·         The Politics of “Invasion” of Greek and the “Demise” of Hebrew of Late Antiquity

·    Holiness School’s Response to economic Injustice in Leviticus 25: It’s Relevance to Multi-religious and Cultural Context of India Today

·         Ephesians Through a Postcolonial Lens

·         Pluralistic Hermeneutics

·         Reading Amos 6:1-7 in the Light of Mizo Values and Ethos

·         Can Anything Come Out of India for New Testament Background?

·         Biblical Concepts and Religious “Other” in India Today

·         The Theme of Ordination in the Pastoral Epistles

·         Nation and Text: Britain, Germany, India and the Bible

·         A Postcolonial Christology Shift in India: Converging Possibilities

·         Biblical Prophets as Transformative Leaders

·         Living in the Perilous Times: An African Reading of 2 Timothy 3:1-5

·         Reading Rizpah Across Borders, Cultures, Belongings

·         Creation and Human Movement: Prolegomena for a Biblical Migrant Hermeneutics

·         A Dialogue between ‘the Eastern’ and ‘the Western’ in New Testament Scholarship: A Proposal

·         “Text, Textures of Life and Diaspora” – A Search for Theoretical Connections

·         Marcan Apocalypse (Collaparian Mark 13) as Jesus; Prescience: A Post-Western Critic

All the presentations and deliberations fulfilled the required objective of the Conference. The need for contextual interpretation of the biblical text, in relation to East and West depicted possibilities for venturing into new dimensions of interpretation without bias. The existential biblical and non-biblical issues including textual, traditional, sociological, theological, exegetical and the like led to conceptualizing, visualizing, realistic, context oriented hermeneutics in a pluralistic reality. All the presentations were moderated by the Faculty members of the UTC. 

On the sidelines…

During the conference, a public reception in honour of all the delegates was organized on the 31^st evening, which was set apart especially for visitors to experience and explore the rich and colorful India with varied traditional performances, depicting regional culture through folk songs, dances, and plays. Various individuals and groups represented different regions of the country with their excelling and captivating performances. It was presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Devakadasham, President, UTC Society and Bishop in the CSI Kanyakumari Diocese. The main address was delivered by Rt. Rev. Dr. J.S.  Sadananda, Bishop CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese and Master, Serampore College (University). The visitors were provided with an opportunity to have a glimpse of the garden city of Bangalore, with a Bangalore City tour, which was arranged for visitors after the Conference, as part of experiencing a part of India.

One of the salient features of the conference, is the fact, that is was organized and supported by local resources, once again challenging us all to rethink the notion of dependency and to explore the potential capacity of local resources. The other feature was the outstanding and exceptional participation of all post-graduate students of biblical studies at UTC, who through their creativity, discipline and hard work, contributed immensely to the hosting of the conference.

It is hoped that this dialogical process of scholarship and engagement will foster new frontiers and provide new vistas in the future. The Department is working towards the publication of the papers and thanks one and all.

Bible Darshan International Bible Conference held in UTC

The international biblical seminar conducted by the Biblical Studies Department of the UTC was held on January 30, 31 and February 1, 2014 in the Ecumenical Resource Centre. The programme was inaugurated by the principal, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, Dr. David Chalcraft, Sheffield University, Rev. Dr. Mohan Larbeer, Secretary BTESSC, Rev. Dr. Monica Melanchton, Professor, United Faculty of Theology, Melbourne and Rev. Dr. Vasant Rao, Principal of ACTC.

The following twenty papers were presented during the course of the three day conference.

(1) “Sociology and the Study of Cultural Context in Global Biblical Interpretation” by Dr. David J. Chalcraft, Sheffield University, UK. Moderator: Dr. Daniel Jones Muthunayagom

(2) “‘The Other Side of the Coin’: Some Reflections on Post-Western Reawakening” by Dr. J. G. Muthuraj, UTC, Bangalore. Moderator: Dr. Gudrun Löwner

(3) “The Parables of Two Rich Men and a Beggar (Luke 12:16-20 and 16:19-31): Their Relevance for Interpreting the Bible in India Today” by Dr. V. J. John, Bishop’s College, Kolkota. Moderator: Dr. M. O. John

(4) “The Politics of ‘Invasion’ of Greek and the ‘Demise’ of Hebrew of Late Antiquity” by Dr. Royce M. Victor, KUTS, Trivandrum. Moderator: Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar

(5) “Holiness School’s Response to Economic Injustice in Leviticus 25: Its Relevance to Multi-religious and Cultural Context of India Today” by Dr. P. Joseph Titus, Bangalore. Moderator: Dr. Vasant Rao

(6) “Ephesians through a Postcolonial Lens” by Dr. Jayachitra Lalitha. Moderator: Dr. Lalrinawmi Ralte

(7) “Nation and Text: Britain, India and the Bible” by Dr. Hugh S. Pyper, Sheffield University, UK. Moderator: Dr. Joseph George

(8) “A Postcolonial Christological Shift in India: Converging Possibilities” by Dr. C. I. David Joy, UTC, Bangalore. Moderator: Rev. J. Jeyakumar

(9) “Biblical Prophets as Transformative Leaders” by Dr. Joy Philip Kakkanattu. Dr. Sahayadhas

(10) “Living in the Perilous Times: An African Reading of 2 Tim. 3:1-5″ by Dr. Olubiyi Adewale, Laos, Nigeria. Moderator: Dr. Nalini Arles

(11) “Pluralistic Hermeneutics” by Dr. Cherian Thomas, ECC, Bangalore. Moderator: Sr. Dr. Rani Joseph Mary Shruti

(12) “Reading Amos 6:1-7 in the Light of the Mizo Values and Ethos” by Dr. K. Lallawmzua, Aizwal. Moderator: Dr. Jacob

(13) “Can Anything Good Come out of India for New Testament Background?” by Dr. Sam P. Mathew, Allahabad. Moderator: Fr. Jerry Kurian

(14) “Biblical Concepts and the Religious ‘Other’ in India Today” by Ms. Anita Yadala Suneson, Uppsala, Sweden. Moderator: Mrs. Geetha Basappa

(15) “The Theme of Ordination in the Pastoral Epistles” by Dr. Reji Mathew, OTS, Kottayam. Moderator: Dr. J. R. John Samuel Raj

(16) “Reading Rizpah Across Borders, Cultures, Belongings” by Dr. Monica Jyotsna Melanchton, Melbourne, Australia. Moderator: Dr. George Zachariah

(17) “Creation and Human Movement: Prolegomena for a Biblical Migrant Hermeneutics” by Dr. Andreas Kunz-Löbcke, Hermansburg, Germany. Moderator: Dr. Mervin Shinoj Boaz

(18) “A Dialogue between the ‘Eastern’ and the ‘Western’ in New Testament Scholarship: A Proposal” by Rev. (Dr.) Johnson Thomaskutty, UBS, Pune. Moderator: Dr. Abraham Saggu

(19) “Text, Textures of Life and Diaspora: A Search for Theoretical Connections” by Rev. Sam Koshy, Kuwait City. Moderator: Dr. Allan Samuel Palanna

(20) “Marcan Apocalypse (Collapsarian Mark 13) as Jesus’ Prescience: A Post-western Critic” by Rev. G. Soleman, Salem. Moderator: Rev. J. Chellappa Packiaraj

JK

Bible Darshan 2014

An international conference "Bible Darshan" will be conducted by the department of Biblical Studies of the United Theological College, Bangalore from January 30 to February 1, 2014. Details of the conference are given in the blog  http://utcbibledarshan.wordpress.com/

The theme of the conference is "Exploring New Frontiers for Post-Western Biblical Studies." The write up to the theme explains this in detail. The Bible continues to enlighten, renew and challenge individuals and communities, communicating the ‘gospel’ in diverse context (s). Glaring realities of identity, caste, poverty, plurality, and ecological issues continue to challenge, the study of the Bible in India/Asia. Biblical studies as a theological discipline, continues to evolve with positive contributions from the West. However, there is a need to move beyond the enlightenment framework, to rediscover cultural, religious and indigenous resources, which can make the Bible intelligible in our contexts, because they are closer to the Mediterranean world. Further, the need for an inter-disciplinary approach is significant than ever before, which can draw us closer to our cultural and religious heritage. The conference is an attempt to challenge biblical scholars in India and in the West to engage with one another, share insights with each other and evolve new frontiers for further research in India/ Asia, thereby creating a new identity for biblical studies in the country.

While the core areas of biblical studies are still pertinent, the conference aims to draw attention to the significance of the Bible to our own times and context(s). The presentations are intended to cover the Old Testament, New Testament and the Intertestamental literature, with enough space for engagement together and separately. Presentations may focus any one or more of the areas mentioned:
a)      Old Testament Hermeneutics
b)      Study of Judaism and Religions of the Ancient Near East (ANE)
c)      History of Israel
d)     God and the Nations
e)      Old Testament  and the study of other faiths
f)       New Testament Hermeneutics
g)      Judaism and the religions of the first century CE
h)      Construction of the History of the early church
i)        Pauline Studies/Gospel Studies
j)        New Testament and the study of other faiths