Towards an Indian Trinitarian Theology of Missio Dei: a Study of the Trinitarian Theologies of St
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Boston University OpenBU http://open.bu.edu Theses & Dissertations STH Theses and Dissertations 2013-09 Towards an Indian Trinitarian Theology of Missio Dei: A Study of the Trinitarian Theologies of St. Augustine and Brahmabandhab Upadhyay Joseph, Palolil Varghese https://hdl.handle.net/2144/8470 Boston University BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY Dissertation TOWARDS AN INDIAN TRINITARIAN THEOLOGY OF MISSIO DEI: A STUDY OF THE TRINITARIAN THEOLOGIES OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND BRAHMABANDHAB UPADHYAY By Palolil Varghese Joseph (B.D. Serampore College 2000; Th.M. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 2005) Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Theology 2013 Copyright © 2013 by Palolil V. Joseph All rights reserved. CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... vi ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................. viii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 Statement of the ProBlem .....................................................................................................1 Significance of the ProBlem .................................................................................................3 Method of Investigation .......................................................................................................7 Definitions..........................................................................................................................11 Limitations of the Study.....................................................................................................13 II. RENEWAL OF TRINITARIAN THEOLOGY AND MISSIO DEI: HISTORICAL TRAJECTORIES ......................................................................................15 Introduction ........................................................................................................................15 Trinitarian Theology: From the Patristic Period to the Enlightenment .............................16 Modern Renewal of Trinitarian Theology .........................................................................22 Contemporary Trinitarian Trajectories ..............................................................................33 Trinitarian Renewal and Mission .......................................................................................42 Trinity and Missio Dei .......................................................................................................44 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................61 III. CONTOURS OF INDIAN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY AND MISSION DISCOURSE ..........................................................................................63 Introduction ........................................................................................................................63 Historical Trajectory of Indian Christianity and Mission ..................................................64 Christianity and Hindu Renaissance ..................................................................................73 Pioneering Approaches to Theology ..................................................................................80 The Rethinking Christianity ...............................................................................................87 Modern Theological and Mission Discourse .....................................................................94 SuBaltern/LiBeration Theologies ......................................................................................106 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................113 iv IV. THE TRINITARIAN THEOLOGY OF BRAHMABANDHAB UPADHYAY ............115 Introduction .....................................................................................................................115 Biographical Sketch of BrahmaBandhaB Upadhyay ........................................................116 Theological Thought of BrahmaBandhaB Upadhyay .......................................................120 Trinitarian Theology of BrahmaBandhaB Upadhyay .......................................................124 BrahmaBandhaB Upadhyay’s ContriBution: An Appraisal ..............................................155 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................160 V. ST. AUGUSTINE AND TRINITARIAN MISSIO DEI THEOLOGY ...........................162 Introduction ......................................................................................................................162 An Overview of Augustine’s Trinitarian Thought...........................................................163 Augustine’s Trinitarian Theology and Missio Dei...........................................................171 Trinity, Missio Dei, and Theophanies ..............................................................................172 Trinity and Divine Missions ............................................................................................180 Incarnation, Pentecost, and Missio Dei .................................................. ..........................185 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................208 VI. TOWARDS AN INDIAN TRINITARIAN THEOLOGY OF MISSIO DEI ...................212 Introduction ......................................................................................................................212 BrahmaBandhaB Upadhyay: Saccidānanda and Trinity ..................................................213 Augustine: Trinity and Missio Dei .................................................. .................................217 Trinitarian Theology and Indian Theology of Missio Dei ...............................................221 Trinity, Ecclesiology, and Missio Dei..............................................................................224 Trinitarian Life and Missio Dei........................................................................................231 Trinity, Dialogue, and Missio Dei....................................................................................242 Sanskrit Theological Tradition and Missio Dei ...............................................................247 Indian Trinitarian Missio Dei Theology in Global Conversation ....................................253 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................257 VII. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................260 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................265 v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this doctoral research is the outcome of the concerted efforts of a number of people who contributed to this work in significant ways. At the outset, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to my advisor, Dr. John Davis for his excellent guidance and encouragement throughout the writing of this dissertation. I express my gratitude to my second advisor, Dr. John Berthrong who extended all possible help and assistance towards the successful completion of this dissertation. My special thanks to Dr. Dana Robert for her effort in making available the doctoral fellowship and her constant support at each step of the program. I also appreciate Dr. Robert Neville, Dr. Thomas Thangaraj, and Dr. Rady Roldan-Figueroa for being part of the dissertation defense committee and for their perceptive suggestions. I owe a profound indebtedness to two remarkable couples who stood with me throughout my doctoral study. Rev. Dr. George and Mrs. Leela Chavanikamannil, the founders of New Theological College, India, Dr. Timothy Tennent, President of Asbury Theological Seminary, and his wife Mrs. Julie Tennent have contributed to the completion of my doctoral study in ways beyond words. The pastors, elders, and members of the Westgate Evangelical Church, Weston, Massachusetts, have been a great source of encouragement and help in so many ways. I am particularly grateful to Rev. Dr. Bruce Daggett, Rev. Brandon Levering, Mr. Steve Hope, and Mr. George Rideout. I am grateful to the Walker Center, Newton, which was my home away from home for five years, to the Walker Center staff as well as the Barton House residents for their friendship and warm fellowship. I also express my thanks to Mrs. Lorraine Holcomb and Mrs. Robyn Davis for their help with the editing of my dissertation. My special thanks go to Mr. Frank and Mrs. Anne Doll and to Dr. Dan and Mrs. Lita Schlueter who made significant vi contributions to my life and study in the US. I am also grateful to Mr. Dave and Mrs. Marilyn Sweet, Rev. Dorington Little, Rev. Francis Graham, and Ms. Elizabeth Jones who have extended their help in so many different ways. I also extend my thanks to Principal Dr. Simon Samuel and the administration of New Theological College, India for having given me five-year leave to pursue my doctoral study. Finally, I must thank my mother, brothers, and sisters for their constant