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| Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, Principal |
THE REV. DR. J. R. JOHN
SAMUEL RAJ
(Professor of Old Testament &
Principal of
The United Theological College, Bangalore
63, Miller’s Road, Benson Town, Bangalore
– 560 046)
MOTHER
TONGUE Malayalam
LANGUAGES SPOKEN Malayalam,
Tamil, English, German
CHURCH
AFFILIATION Church of
South India
PRESBYTER
ORDINATION 02.09.1984
EDUCATION
2001 - Dr. Theol., University of Hamburg,
Germany.
1997 - (June 23-27) Participated in the
Second European Ecumenical
Assembly in Graz, Austria
and visited Churches in the Republic of Slovakia as part of a three member
delegation of the W.C.C.
1995 - (July 22 – August 15) Participated in
the Educational Seminar held
in New Orleans and Atlanta,
U.S.A. organized by the Missionsakademie of the University of Hamburg.
1993 - (April 20 – May 20) Participated in
the Educational Seminar in the
Holy
Land.
1989 - M.Th. (Old Testament), The United
Theological College, Bangalore.
1983 - B.D., The United Theological College,
Bangalore.
1978 - M.A. (English Language and Literature),
Mar Ivanios College,
Trivandrum
(University of Kerala).
1976 - B.A. (English Language and
Literature), V.T.M.N.S.S. College,
Dhanuvachapuram
(University of Kerala).
ACADEMIC PRIZES WON FROM THE UNITED THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE,
BANGALORE
1.
Highfield Greek Testament Prize for
Preliminary Greek – First Prize.
2.
Meyer’s Prize for Preliminary Hebrew –
First Prize.
3.
Stainton Morris New Testament Greek Prize
for B.D. I & II Greek Subjects – First Prize.
4.
Stainton Morris New Testament Greek Prize
for the Optional Courses – First Prize.
5.
J. S. Bookless Memorial Prize for B.D. I,
II & III Hebrew – First Prize.
6.
Bible Society Prize for Biblical Subjects
– First Prize.
7.
Mrs. Asha Hivaulay Prize for History of
Christianity – First Prize.
8.
Rev. J. P. Ambalavanar Prize for History
of Religions – Second Prize.
PROFESSIONAL
2009 – Present Principal of the United Theological
College, Bangalore.
2007 – 2009 Dean of Doctoral Studies, The
United Theological College, Bangalore.
2007 – 2009 Member of the Research Committee
of the Senate of Serampore College.
2006 – Present Professor of Biblical Studies (Old
Testament), The United Theological College, Bangalore.
2000 – 2006 Associate Professor of Biblical
Studies (Old Testament), The United Theological College, Bangalore.
2001 – 2006 Chairperson of the Department of
Biblical Studies, Convener of the Worship Committee of the College, Coordinator
of the Academic Guidance Programme for the rural and marginalized candidates,
Coordinator of the CWM Face to Face Programme, Coordinator of the International
Exposure Programme for theological students from the LTSP, USA.
2006 (April – August)
Research Scholar at the University of Heidelberg: Paper Presenter &
Participant in the Kontaktstudium of the Protestant Church in
Baden-Württemberg; Guest Lecture for Old Testament at the Missionsseminar, ELM,
Hermannsburg, Germany.
2006 (September – December)
Visiting Professor at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Cairo (ETSC),
Egypt (taught two courses for the Master of Theology students).
2007 (January – May)
Visiting Professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, U.S.A.
(taught the M.Div. students).
2004 – 2005 Represented U.T.C. in the
Governing Council of the CISRS.
2005 – 2008 Represented U.T.C. in the Annual
General Meeting of the Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore.
2007 – 2008 Executive Committee Member of
the Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore.
1997 – 1998 Member of the Board of Trustees
(Kuratorium) of the Academy of Mission, University of Hamburg, Germany.
1997 – 2000 Honorary Associate Priest of St.
Thomas a Becket, the Anglican Chaplaincy in Hamburg, Germany.
1991 – 1994 Lecturer (Old Testament), The
Kerala United Theological Seminary, Kannammoola, Trivandrum, Kerala.
1991 – 1994 Director, Laity Institute for
Theology, South Kerala Diocese.
1991 – 1992 Presbyter-in-charge of the Holy
Trinity C.S.I. Church, Thirumala, Trivandrum.
1989 – 1991 Presbyter-in-charge of the
C.S.I. Christ Church Punalur & Council Chairman of the C.S.I. Churches in
the Punalur District, South Kerala Diocese.
1985 – 1987 Presbyter-in-charge of the
C.S.I. Vattappara & Council Secretary of the C.S.I. Churches in the
Maruthoor District, South Kerala Diocese.
1983 – 1985 Post B.D. Probationer /
Presbyer-in-charge, C.S.I. Kuttaninnathil.
1978 – 1979 Probationer in the C.S.I.
Kodithooky and C.S.I. Paraniyam & Honorary Secretary of the Bible Society
of India, Kanjirankulam Branch.
GUIDED / EXAMINED B.D.
THESES
Approximately 20 B.D. Theses related to different theological
disciplines.
GUIDED & EXAMINED M.TH. OLD TESTAMENT THESES
“Daughter of Zion in the Book of Isaiah: An Indian Womanist
Reading.” Vasantha Baby, 2002.
“The Understanding of Human Rights in Deuteronomy Chapter 14 –
28,” Lalfakzuala, 2002 (Published by I.S.P.C.K. in 2004).
“Understanding of God Through the Self Presentation Formula
ANOKI YHWH in Deutero-Isaiah and Its Implications in the Pluralistic Context,”
P. Jeya Selvan, 2002.
“In Search of the Hidden Identity of Women: A Re-reading of the
Book of Esther,” Atula Ao, 2003.
“A Comparative Study of the Covenant and the Mizo THURO CHHIAH
with Special Reference to Exodus Chapters 19 – 23,” C. Vanlaldika, 2003.
“The Assimilation of Ancient West Asian Religio-cultural
Elements in the ‘Religion of the Ancestors’ and its Relevance to the Indian
Context,” Beno A. Enose, 2004.
“The Nexus between Suffering and Sin in the Individual Psalms
of Lament,”
Tekayaba, 2004.
“Theological Motifs in the Occurences of Names of God in Exodus
1-6 with Special Reference to Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh,” Katam Reshma Paul
Wellington, 2005.
“The Impact of the Exodus Paradigm in the History of Israel,”
Sam George, 2009 (SAIACS)
GUIDED DOCTORAL DISSERTATION
‘Theology of Hope in Deutero-Isaiah: A Quest for a New Identity
of the People of God,” Rev. Pray S. James Vethamuthu (successfully completed
and degree awarded in 2009).
“The Ideation of Power in the Book of Hosea with Particular
Reference to AHB: A Post-colonial Reading,” Rev. Praveen Paul (successfully
completed and degree awarded in 2009).
EXAMINED DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS
“The Worldview of the Yahweh Speeches in the Book of Job, “Rev.
Prakash K. George, 2008.
“Exile and Theology of Creation: A Socio-Historical Study of
the Creation Motif in Isaiah 40-55,” Rev. P. Rajendra Babu, 2008.
Served as Examiner in the Doctoral Supervisory Committee of
Dharmaram College, Bangalore in 2002.
PUBLICATIONS
BOOKS
The Theological Concept of the Hebrew Term Hesed in the
Psalter, Verlag an der Lottbek, Aachen, Germany, 2001 (289 pages).
The “Anointed Ones” in the Qumran Literature, ISPCK, 2004 (112
pages).
SELECT ARTICLES
Creation and Dominion: Reweaving the Planet in Jeopardy, in:
Light on Our Dusty Path: Essays for a Bible Lover (Dhyanchand Carr), ed. Israel
Salvanayagam, BTESSC/SATHRI, 2008
Contributed sixty-five articles to the VEDAPUSTAKA NIKHANDU
(One Volume Bible Dictionary in Malayalam), 2001-2005 (Letter from the Chief
Editor attached).
Yahweh’s Earth Our Abode: Towards Making Peace with the
Creation, in: Shepherd of a Pilgrim People. Essays in Honour of Bishop J.W.
Gladstone, ed. Gideon Sobhanam & Vinod Victor, ISPCK, 2005.
Cosmic Judge or Overseer of the World Order? The Role of Yahweh
as Portrayed in Psalm 7, BTF XXXIV, 2002, No. 2.
The Friends and Enemies of God in the Psalms, in: Biblical
Faith on Inter-Faith Dialogue, ed. Israel Selvanayagam, BTESSC, 1995.
SERMONS & PRESENTATIONS
Associated with the East Parade Malayalam Church since 2000,
where I preach and offer Pastoral Support. In addition I also preach and give
special talk in several C.S.I., Mar Thoma and Orthodox Churches in South India
in connection with the life and ministry of the United Theological College,
Bangalore.
I have had the opportunity to make presentations in Retreats
and Conferences of the Clergy, Youth and Laity several times.
During my sabbatical year I have had the opportunity to deliver
a Convocation lecture (March 2007) at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Philadelphia, U.S.A. about the Rulership-Stewardship-Custodianship Models
and the Creation Motif.
I have also delivered a public lecture at the Missionsseminar,
Hermannsburg, Germany, in September 2006 entitled Kontextuelle Exegese:
Die Bedeutung der Alttestamentlichen Forchung in Indien.
In Heidelberg, Germany, I presented a paper entitle, Dalit
Theology: The Indian Church in Solidarity with the Vulnerable in the
Kontaktstudium of Pastors of the Protestant Churches in Baden and Württemberg.
At the Presbyterian Seminary in Cairo I presented a paper in
the Scholar’s Forum on the Relevance of Old Testament in Today’s Context.
SPOUSE
Dr. R.N. Bissy
Qualification:
M.A. (Sanskrit General – First Rank-holder and Gold Medalist of
the Kerala University in 1981);
M.A. (Malayalam Language & Literature 1982), University of
Kerala
B.Ed. (Sanskrit Language & Literature 1983), University of
Kerala;
M.A. (Sanskrit Special Vyakarana 1984), University of Kerala
Ph.D. (Sanskrit), University of Kerala.
Taught at the Diocesan School for the Blind, Varkala, and
English Medium High School, Attingal, South Kerala Diocese (1983-1987).
Worked in the translation project (German to English) of
Sinfonia Oecumenica (1997-1999).
Since 2000 serves as Lecturer (Part-time) for Sanskrit at the
United Theological College, Bangalore.
Prepared by Aji Samuel, BD III
