For private circulation only Doon Theological Journal Doon Theological Journal (ISSN 0973-4678) is a peer-reviewed biannual journal of theological reflection published by the Luther W. New Jr. Theological College (aka New Theological College), Dehradun, India. The journal is committed to promoting Christian theological learning, scholarly excellence, and thoughtful conversation between various Christian traditions. It seeks to foster creative engagement with contemporary religious, political, social, economic, and cultural issues. The theological position and views expressed in the articles are exclusively of the respective authors and do not represent those of the Editorial Board or New Theological College. Enquiries regarding journal subscriptions, renewals, exchange, change of address notifications, or any business communications should be addressed to The Business Manager, Doon Theological Journal, New Theological College, P. O. Kulhan, Dehradun 248001, India or may be emailed to <[email protected]>. Enquiries related to submission of manuscripts for Doon Theological Journal may be sent to The Managing Editor at <[email protected]>. Books for review may be mailed to the attention of The Book Review Editor at at <[email protected]>. Doon Theological Journal is abstracted in Religious & Theological Abstracts, and indexed in Christian Periodical Index. Editorial Board Chief Editor Simon Samuel, Ph.D. Principal and Professor of New Testament Studies and Christian Origins, New Theological College Managing Editor Santhosh J. Sahayadoss, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Theology, New Theological College Book Review Editor Biju Chacko, D.Th. Assistant Professor of New Testament, New Theological College Associate Editors Mohan Chacko, Dr. Theol. Professor of Theology and Mission, Presbyterian Theological Seminary Matthew Ebenezer, Ph.D. Principal and Professor of Historical Theology, Presbyterian Theological Seminary Ramesh Chand, (Ph.D.) Lecturer in Theology, Presbyterian Theological Seminary Joel Joseph, D.Th. Assistant Professor of Old Testament, New Theological College Copyright © Luther W. New Jr. Theological College, March-October 2018 Visit us at: www.dtjournal.ac.in DOON THEOLOGICAL JOURNAL ISSN 0973-4678 March & October 2018 Volume 15.1-2 CONTENTS Editorial 03-05 Transformative Theological Education and the Curriculum of the Senate of Serampore College (University) Simon Samuel 06-18 Biblical Faith and Other Faiths: Examination of Historical Views of Universal Revelation, General Revelation, and Prevenient Grace Operative in the Context of Other Religions Timothy C. Tennent 19-32 A Theology of Mission Robert E. Coleman 33-40 The Relationship between Theology and Psychology- A Look at the Work of Dr. Thomas C. Oden, A Pastoral Theology Samuel P Rajan 41-53 “Deciphering the Dream: A Call for Rebuilding of the Temple and the Motives of the Empire” Rereading from a Postcolonial Perspective Joel Joseph 54-75 1 Doon Theological Journal Why Did the Closer Relative Backout from His Initial Commitment (Ruth 4:6)? Amar Pandey 76-89 A Contextual Study on the Reality of Migration from Biblical, Theological, and Missional Perspectives Santhosh J. Sahayadoss 90-111 Contesting William Carey’s Mission History Against the Misreading of His Missionary Work in India Wilson Paluri 112-136 Role of Education in Transforming Society: Serampore College Model Babu K.Verghese 137-153 Book Reviews Israel Selvanayagam, Religion and Religions: An Interfaith Prespective Santhosh J. Sahayadoss 154-156 Johnson Thomaskutty, Saint Thomas the Apostle: New Testament, Apocrypha, and Historical Traditions Biju Chacko 156-160 C. I. David Joy, Trajectories of New Testament Theology Biju Chacko 160-165 2 Doon Theological Journal 15.1-2 (2018): 3-5 Editorial The year 2018 witnessed the bicentenary celebration of the founding of the Serampore College in India. The hard work of missionaries, especially William Carey was remembered. This edition has three articles based on this event of celebration. Before we take a look at the articles in this combined edition, we would like to apologize for not bringing out this combined edition on time. Simon Samuel reflects on the vision/goal of theological education under the Senate of Serampore in the light of the Biblical message. He applauds the Senate for allowing a wide range of churches and denominations to work and learn together. He opines that theological institutions in India under the Senate can effectively train young people only by overcoming the deep rift that can be found in theological institutions because of narrow minded divisive and intolerant spirit. Two more articles are included that are written remembering the great work that Serampore missionaries have done. Wilson Paluri focuses on the contributions of William Carey toward the reform of Indian society. He burlesques the misrepresentation of the work of missionaries like William Carey that they promoted their Western religion; used coercion to convert; they were intolerant and engaged in anti-national activities. Rebutting such criticisms, Wilson affirms the contributions of missionaries through educational institutions; social reforms; and local language development programs. Babu K. Verghese, in the same vein, attempts to defend the works of William Carey in his article, especially focusing on his role in transforming society through education. He emphasizes Carey’s concern for the Dalits and the marginalized in society. 3 Doon Theological Journal Timothy C. Tennent examines the writings of Justin and Tertullian of the patristic period; Calvin and Wesley from the 16th and 18th centuries to Christian thinkers in the 19th century in order to examine their views on universal revelation; general revelation; and prevenient grace that is operative in the context of other religious traditions. He concludes by saying that general revelation in other religions is possible if it is consistent with the Biblical revelation. Robert E. Coleman, a great name among evangelical theologians, in his article puts forth “A Theology of Missions.” He insists on making the good news known to all. The content of the good news is that God loves the world and has given the Son so that no one should perish. Making this known is, according to Coleman, world evangelism. He criticizes theological liberalism that fails to acknowledge and recognize the Lordship of Christ, but instead focuses on knowing oneself. He concludes by asserting that only with the help of the Holy Spirit can the aspirations of the world missions become a reality. Samuel P. Rajan takes a look at the work of Thomas C. Oden, a pastoral theologian, who has persisted in paving the way for a dialogue between theology and psychology. In spite of his analysis of Oden’s contributions to Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, Rajan is quite critical of Oden’s theology and asserts that Oden’s theology can be problematic in a religiously and culturally plural context. Joel Joseph investigates Haggai 1: 1-15, which points to the rebuilding of the temple during the Persian Empire. His intention is to analyze the text from a postcolonial perspective and bring out the significance of why the people were reluctant to undertake the rebuilding project, while the Judean elites rebuilt the temple during the rule of the Persian Empire. Amar Pandey takes a closer look at the Book of Ruth and raises the question as to why the kinsman-redeemer did not carry out his duty and get married to Ruth. He rejected the proposal because marrying 4 meant that the heir would inherit the land and also because it would result in his economic sacrifice. Santhosh J. Sahayadoss takes up the challenge to study the reality of migration from Biblical, theological and missional perspectives. He first undertakes a contextual analysis of the reality of migration in the present world. Then he draws insights from the Old Testament and the New Testament with regard to the topic of migration. He concludes by reflecting theologically and ethically on the issues of migration and marginality. He stresses the importance of the churches to be communities that welcome strangers and foreigners. Managing Editor 5 Doon Theological Journal Doon Theological Journal 15.1-2 (2018): 6-18 Transformative Theological Education and the Curriculum of the Senate of Serampore College (University) Simon Samuel, Ph. D Education must be problem-posing where men and women develop their power to perceive critically the way they exist in the world with which and in which they find themselves; they come to see the world not as a static reality but as a reality in the process of transformation. (Macedo, 2012: 12). We are surrounded by a pragmatic discourse that would have us adapt to the fact of reality. … [But] I do not understand human existence, and the struggle needed to improve it, apart from hope and dream. Hope is an ontological need. Hopelessness is a distortion to that ontological need. Hope as an ontological need demands an anchoring in practice in order to become historical concreteness. (Freire, 1994: 1-2). When we develop the right story, and learn how to tell it, it will infect the minds of people across the political spectrum. Those who tell the stories run the world (Monbiot, 2017: 1). Introduction This paper examines the teleios (end/ goal/ vision) of theological education of the Senate of Serampore College (SSC) in the light of the biblical teleios of life at the macro (grand narrative/story) level. We are drawn into these teleioi (‘eschateloned’ into them) by the tale of God in Christ, and by the vision and mission of the pioneers and long line of leaders and teachers of the SSC and its affiliated colleges. I am focusing on the macro level because I consider retaining the biblical teleios at this level, and retelling the grand narrative (story) of the Bible, and reiterating and rendering it through theological education and ministerial training at the micro level are vital ontological needs. If we do not tell 6 Transformative Theological Education that story or distort it, we do it at the distortion of our very identity and existence as followers of Christ.