Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda | |
---|---|
Born | Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda |
Nationality | Indian |
Occupation | Theologian |
Parent(s) | Smt. Jessie Jemima and James Lawrence Sadananda [1] |
Writings | 1990, Sacramentalism in the Fourth Gospel: An exploration into the sacramental concern of the Fourth Evangelist [2] 2004, The Johannine Exegesis of God: An Exploration Into the Johannine understanding of God [1] 2014, Contribution of Basel Missionaries to Medical and Educational Field [3] |
Congregations served | Church of South India Karnataka Southern Diocese |
Offices held | Pastor, Karnataka Southern Diocese, Church of South India, -1986, Teacher, Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore, 1990-Present |
Title | The Reverend Doctor |
Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda is a New Testament Scholar who is re-elected as the General Secretary [4] (Triennium 2017-2020) of the Church of South India Synod headquartered in Chennai as well as the Chairperson (triennium 2015-2018 [5] ) of the Council of the United Theological College, Bangalore, the only autonomous College under the Senate of Serampore College (University). He also serves as the Vice President of National Council of Churches in India (2016-2020) as well Executive Secretary of the Communion of Churches in India comprising CNI, CSI, Marthoma Churches and now MCI.
In terms of scholarship, Sadananda is an authority on Johannine theology and has also contributed the history of the Basel Evangelical Mission by initiating research into Moegling's encyclopedia, Bibliotheca Carnatica [6] and Ferdinand Kittel's complete works.
After ministerial formation at the Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore, Sadananda was ordained as Deacon in 1986, and as Presbyter in 1989. Sadananda studied at the United Theological College, Bangalore where he enrolled for a postgraduate programme, Master of Theology, specializing in New Testament under Professor Dr. M. V. Abraham between 1988-1990. [7] Sadananda's companions during his study years at Bangalore comprised B. D. Prasad Rao, H. R. Cabral and Jonadob Nathaniel, the present Director Translations of the Bible Society of India. Sadananda's postgraduate thesis was entitled Sacramentalism in the Fourth Gospel: An exploration into the sacramental concern of the Fourth Evangelist [2] done under Professor M. V. Abraham [8] for which he was awarded a Master of Theology (M. Th.) degree by the university under the Registrarship of D. S. Satyaranjan.
For doctoral studies, Sadananda was able to enroll at the Kirchliche Hochschule, Bethel, Bielefeld in Germany with the help of Gerhard Wehmeier of the Evangelical Church of Hesse Electorate-Waldeck who introduced him to Professor Andreas Lindemann of the Kirchliche Hochschule, Bethel, Bielefeld where Sadananda then began researching under Professor Andreas Lindemann [9] with the title [1] The Johannine Exegesis of God: An Exploration Into the Johannine understanding of God, which was co-moderated by Professor François Vouga. [10] Subsequently, Sadananda's work was published in 2004 by a publisher in Germany.
Since 1990, Sadananda began teaching at the Seminary established in 1847 by the Basel Evangelical Mission Society, which later became Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore, 1965 [11] and affiliated to the nation's first [12] University, the Senate of Serampore College (University).
In 1997 August on completion of his doctoral studies, he joined KTC faculty and in 2002 August he was promoted as Professor of New Testament.
He was a visiting Professor and researcher at Phillip’s University, Marburg, Germany, 2007 April – 2008 May
He also delivered guest lectures at Stellenbosch University, Cape town, South Africa, in August 2001; Immanuel College, Toronto, Canada, in July 2003 University of Augsburg, Germany, in October 2004 and April; Augustana Forum, Augsburg, Germany, in April 2008, Hofgeismar Predigerseminar and Evangelische Akademi, Germany (EKD), in May 2008; Kirchliche Hochschule, Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany – In honour of Prof. Andreas Lindemann on his 65th birthday, in October 2008.
Sadananda was the first Kannadiga [6] to have been elected as the General Secretary in the history of the Church of South India during the 34th Synod of the Church of South India held in Vijayawada in January 2014 which also saw the election of Govada Dyvasirvadam as the Moderator and Thomas K. Oommen as the Deputy Moderator. [6]
Sadananda has served as the Director, Karnataka Theological Research Institute (KATHRI – affiliated to Kannada University for M.Phil. and Ph.D.) 2008-2014 and as the Treasurer, Karnataka Christian Educational Society, Mangalore, 2010-2014.
He also served as Director of 'Sahodaya' - Programme Centre of the KTC Mangalore, 2003 – 2010; as Director, Department of Theological Studies by Extension at KTC, 1999 - 2007 which Offers Bachelor of Christian Studies (BCS), Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip.C.S.) and Certificate in Theology (C.Th.) for laity.
As an ecclesiastical figure, Sadananda was a member of the Dialogue Commission between the Vatican and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches He attended Commission meetings and presented papers at Amsterdam, Netherlands 1999, Rome, Italy 2000, Cape Town, South Africa 2001, Belfast, Northern Ireland 2002, Toronto, Canada 2003, Venice, Italy 2004. 2000 August - Audience and consultation with Pope John Paul II as part of the WARC-RC Dialogue Commission in Vatican and is also a member of the theological Network of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. [6]
Sadananda is also the honorary Executive Secretary of the Communion of Churches in India, an ecclesial communion of the Church of North India, Church of South India and Mar Thoma Church.
In August 2015, the Council of the United Theological College, Bangalore elected Daniel Sadananda as the Chairperson of the College Society for the triennium 2015-2018 [5] succeeding G. Devakadasham, the outgoing Chairperson.
In April 2016 Dr. Sadananda was elected Vice President of National Council of Churches in India, at the Jabalpur Assembly, for the quadrennial 2016-2020.
In September 2017 Dr Sadananda was elected as Vice President of Christian Institute of Religion and Society, Bangalore. In December 2017 Dr Sadananda was elected to the Senate of Serampore College, as Senator, to serve the Senate of Serampore College as it enters its centenary year and Serampore College its bicentenary year.
In 2012 January, Sadananda was invited as Bible study leader at the XXXIII Session of the CSI Synod held at Kanyakumari and conducted Two Bible studies on "That in God's hands they may be One" and "That they all may be One as We are One".
Between 2000-2006, 2010-12 he served as the Convenor, CSI Liturgy Commission (Four terms) and oversaw the process of revision, editing, printing and publishing of the CSI Book of Common Worship - first-ever revision of the CSI Liturgy after the Book of Common Worship which was adopted shortly after the formation of CSI in 1947. The revision process took six years of intense and committed hard work. The Revised Book of Common Worship was accepted and authorised for general use in the CSI during Synod Session at Bangalore 2004. Officially released at the Synod Session at Mysore 2006.
Sadananda has also served as Member, Communion of Churches in India (CSI-CNI-Mar Thoma Church) Worship and Mission Commission2000-2004; and Member, CCI Lectionary Committee, involved in the revision of the CCI Common lectionary, 2012-2014.
Since June 2010, he is also the Honorary Correspondent of CSI-KASDES Kittel Memorial Pre-university College, Mangalore, CSI-KASDES Kittel Memorial High School, Mangalore and CSI-KASDES UBMC Higher Primary School, Gorigudda, Mangalore of which he is an alumnus.
Karnataka Theological College(founded in 1847) is an ecumenical seminary catering to the Kannada-speaking students wishing to pursue the priestly vocation. KTC is located in Mangalore of Karnataka in South India, and is affiliated to the nation's first University, the Senate of Serampore College.
Bishop Emeritus P. Surya Prakash was the fifth Bishop-in-Karimnagar Diocese of the Church of South India. from 2007 through 2014 and occupied the Cathedra in Karimnagar's Wesley Cathedral. He retired on account of superannuation in 2014 following which the Church of South India Synod headquartered in Chennai appointed a successor to him in 2015.
Samuel Amirtham was an Indian Bishop and Old Testament Scholar who taught in Spiritual formation centres affiliated to Senate of Serampore College (University), India's first University {a University under Section 2 (f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956} founded by the Baptist Missions led by Joshua Marshman, William Carey, and William Ward.
C. D. Jathanna was the fourth Bishop - in - Karnataka Central Diocese headquartered in Bangalore with the Cathedra of the Bishop placed at St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore.
Robert Scheuermeier was the first Principal of the Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore, a Seminary affiliated to the country's first University, the Senate of Serampore College (University), Serampore.
C. L. Furtado is CSI-Bishop Emeritus - in - Karnataka Southern of Church of South India. Furtado became the third Bishop on 25 August 1997, the date on which he was consecrated as Bishop in the diocese that is headquartered in Mangalore with the Cathedra of the Bishop placed at CSI-Shanthi Cathedral, Mangalore.
Hannibal Richard Cabral(Born 1955) was the former Principal of Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore, a Seminary established in 1965 and affiliated to the nation's first University, the Senate of Serampore College (University). Cabral was appointed by the College Council as Principal in 2009 as John Sadananda, then Principal, was elevated to the Bishopric of the Karnataka Southern Diocese of the Church of South India.
The Right Reverend K. Reuben Mark is the present Bishop in Karimnagar and the sixth in succession and occupies the Cathedra of the Bishop placed in Karimnagar's CSI-Wesley Cathedral. Reuben Mark is currently a Council Member for the period 2015–2018 at the fully-ecumenical United Theological College, Bangalore. During the XXXVIth session of Church of South India Synod, Reuben Mark has been elected as Deputy Moderator for the triennium 2020-2023 succeeding V. Prasada Rao.
Bishop Babbili Prabhudass(died 1996) was the first elected Bishop - in - Karimnagar Diocese of the Church of South India which was ecclesiastically bifurcated from the Diocese of Dornakal of the Church of South India in early 1978. Prabhudass led the bishopric for a period of five years from 1978 through 1982.
Bishop B. D. Prasada Rao(born 13.8.1952) is Bishop Emeritus - in - Rayalaseema Diocese of the Church of South India and past ex officio member of the Church of South India Synod for the period 2013-2019. He retired on attaining superannuation on 13 August 2019.
Bishop Emeritus John S. Sadananda was the Master of Senate of Serampore College (University), the nation's first University {a University under Section 2 (f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956}) with degree-granting authority validated by a Danish Charter and ratified by the Government of West Bengal.
Mohan Manoraj is the present Bishop in Karnataka Southern Diocese of the Church of South India, the sixth in succession, and occupies the Cathedra at the CSI-Shanthi Cathedral in Mangalore who has been consecrated on 14 December 2015.
H. S. Wilson(born 1946) is Executive Director of Foundation for Theological Education in the Southeast Asia based in Philadelphia. Wilson is widely known in India for his contribution to theological education in India as Director of Research and Church Relations at the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College, Bangalore, the theological arm of the Senate of Serampore College (University), the nation's first University
Dharmakkan Dhanaraj was an Indian Old Testament Scholar who taught at the Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore, a Seminary established in 1965 and affiliated to the nation's first University, the Senate of Serampore College (University).
Sydney S. Salins is a New Testament Scholar who teaches at the Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore, a Seminary established in 1965 and affiliated to the nation's first University, the Senate of Serampore College (University).
Fedric Anilkumar is a Theologian who teaches at the Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore, a Seminary established in 1965 and affiliated to the nation's first University, the Senate of Serampore College (University).
A. C. Solomon Raj(born 18 March 1961) is the seventh successor of Frank Whittaker and eighth Bishop in Medak of the Protestant Church of South India Society and shepherds the Diocese from the Cathedra of the Bishop housed in the CSI-Medak Cathedral in Medak Town, Telangana, India. On 12 October 2016, the Church of South India Synod headquartered in Chennai, appointed Solomon Raj to assume the ecclesiastical Office of the Bishopric of Medak and was consecrated the next day on 13 October 2016 at the CSI-St. George's Cathedral, Chennai, ending four years of sede vacante in the Diocese of Medak which was without a bishop during the intervening period of 2012–2016.
G. M. Butterworth is an Old Testament scholar who taught at the United Theological College, Bangalore from 1972 through 1978 and later on moved to TAFTEE in Bangalore and finally to England where he continued to bring out the message of the Old Testament.
Gerhard Wehmeier (1935–2009) was an Old Testament Scholar hailing from Germany from the Evangelical Church of Hesse Electorate-Waldeck. Wehmeier taught Old Testament at the United Theological College, Bangalore from 1973 through 1978.
T. George Cornelious is the current Bishop - in - Krishna Godavari Diocese of the Church of South India with the Bishop's Cathedra housed in CSI-St. Andrew's Cathedral in Machilipatnam. However, for administrative purposes, the Office of the Bishopric is located in Vijayawada with its ecclesiastical jurisdiction encompassing the civil districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, and Guntur in Andhra Pradesh.