A. B. Masilamani
Alma mater | Baptist Theological Seminary,[4] Kakinada, Serampore College,[5] Serampore, Emmanuel College, Toronto (Canada),[6] Osmania University,[7] Hyderabad |
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Acharya A. B. Masilamani or Abel Boanerges Masilamani
Masilamani belonged to the
In 2000,
We heard the messages of Masilamani in the Church Society gatherings of the Churches under
expository-devotional and spiritually deep thoughts with exhortations through suitable and easily understood illustrations making an educated and illiterate member of Churches to go home feeling equally enthusiastic after having heard and listened to a wonderful sermon and songs. Sometimes the listeners would go home singing the theme song which Masilamani composed.[5]
While the use of
The growth of the Church in
Early life and family
Masilamani is a third-generation Christian. Reverend Abel Bellary, the grandfather of Masilamani, was a
Masilamani was born to A. B Greshom Paul and A. B Saramma on 30 November 1914 in the princely state of
Masilamani has seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Education
Scholastic and Ministerial Formation
Masilamani schooled at the
After his scholastic studies, Masilamani discerned his avocation towards spirituality and joined the
Graduate studies
Masilamani continued his theological studies and was incidentally sent to the university itself in 1941,[28] during the Principalship of G. H. C. Angus where he took a B.Div. (Bachelor of Divinity) majoring[5] in Biblical Interpretation, Greek, Christian Theology and other allied subjects from the only constituent college of the university, the Serampore College in 1945.[28] During his stay at the old Danish town in Serampore, Masilamani also happened to alternately pursue a postgraduate degree from the arts section of the Serampore College affiliated to the University of Calcutta where he took an M.A (Master of Arts).
Post Graduate and doctoral studies
For long, Masilamani was assigned priestly duties at the Churches of the Canadian Baptist Mission whose area of operation included six northern coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. As Masilamani had an academic leaning, the Council of the Baptist Theological Seminary at Kakinada sent him for postgraduate studies to the Emmanuel College, a constituent college of University of Toronto from where Masilamani took an Th.M. (Master of Theology) postgraduate degree in 1953[6] after submitting his dissertation entitled Hindu Anticipations of the Christian Gospel. Masilamani was a contemporary of the Old Testament Scholar Wolfgang Roth who also happened to study at the Emmanuel College around the same time in 1952.[29] In later years, Wolfgang Roth taught at the Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur from 1959 onwards, whereas Masilamani taught at the Baptist Theological Seminary, Kakinada.
After a decade and half of ecclesiastical works, Masilamani did not stop and extol his educational pursuits and instead he registered as a doctoral candidate at the State-run University and obtained a PhD from Osmania University[7] writing on 'Hindu and Christian Concept of Non-Violence'.[30]
Ecclesiastical career
Spiritual Formator, Kakinada
After completing his graduate studies in theology from the historical
In ecclesiastical administration, Masilamani was elected President of Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars in 1959[1] succeeding Rev. J. I. Richardson.[2] In the continuing year, Masilamani was replaced[1] by Rev. A. D. Matheson.[3]
NCCI literature secretary, Secunderabad
After Masilamani's tenure as principal of the Major Seminary in
BSI auxiliary secretary, Secunderabad
In 1963, when
Orville E. Daniel, a Canadian Baptist missionary, as early as 1973 wrote that Rev. Masilamani's distinguished service with the Bible Society of India was followed by a widespread evangelistic ministry,
After a six-year tenure, Masilamani retired as auxiliary secretary of Bible Society of India Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary in 1969 making the Bible Society of India Trust Association to huddle and appoint B. G. Prasada Rao of the Church of South India.
Overseas visiting professorship in Canada
Masilamani was also a Visiting Professor for Acadia Divinity College, Canada where he delivered the Hayward lectures in 1976.[38]
New Life Associates, Hyderabad
In 1970 Masilamani founded New Life Associates, a
Serampore College (Theology Department), Serampore
During 1974–1975, Masilamani was a part-time Lecturer in Evangelism in the Theology Department of his alma mater during the Principalship of Saral Kumar Chatterjee.[40]
Contribution
Masilamani's contribution is immense covering multifarious disciplines. He was a Pastor, Writer, Theologian,[11] Teacher, Lyricist[41] and a man who had a vision for the Church in undivided Andhra Pradesh.
Vision for theological education
Efforts to form the Protestant Regional Theologiate
In the
Kretzmann Commission
Masilamani was a member of the
Writings
Masilamani was also the President of the Asia Baptist Youth Fellowship. He was the editor of popular Telugu Christian magazines like Ravi 1947–1960, Gruha Joythi 1961–1965 and
Ravela Joseph and B. Suneel Bhanu who had been commissioned by the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College to compile the original Christian writings in Telugu have also included the titles of Masilamani in the compilation Bibliography of Original Christian Writings in India in Telugu[47] which include:
- Original writings in Telugu
Theological scholarship
Masilamani was also a scholar theologian. In 1960 when the
In 1981, Masilamani addressed an inter-faith seminar conducted by the
Lyricist
The
Masilamani was greatly influenced by his Teacher Chetty Bhanumurthy who happened to tutor him both at the high school level as well as at the Seminary in Kakinada.
The name of Masilamani rings bells in the
Masilamani is one of the proponents of Bhakti Theology can be found.
The Christian Hymnal in Telugu has the following nine[16] compositions by Masilamani, .
- Original songs in Telugu
- – అందాల తార – Andala Tara,[58]
- Hymn 96 – 'దేవుని నీతి ప్రతాపం – Devuni Neethi Pratapam',[16]
- Hymn 135 – 'రండి సువార్త సునాదముతొ – Randi Suvartha Sunaadamu',[16]
- Hymn 278 – 'జీవాహారము రమ్ము- Jeevaharamu Rammu',[16]
- Hymn 307 – 'హే ప్రభుయేసు – He Prabhu Yesu',[16]
- Hymn 349 – 'సంతొషింపరె ప్రియులార – Santoshimpare Priyulara',[16]
- Hymn 367 – 'దేవా! వెంబడించితి నీ నామమున్ – Deva vembadinchithi née naamamun',[16]
- Hymn 378 – 'కఱుణాపీఠము జేరరె – Karuna peetamu jerare',[16]
- Hymn 661 – 'నడిపించు నా నావ – Nadipinchu Naa Naava',.[16] This is a well known song among Telugu Christians. Sakshi, a popular Telugu Daily Newspaper in India, noted that it is highly unlikely you will find a Telugu Christian or a Telugu Christian Church who has never sung this song.[59]
- English Hymns translated into Telugu
- Hymn 65 – The Love of God (original writer unknown),[16]
- Hymn 606 – Blest be the tie that binds (John Fawcett).[16]
Scholarly appraisal on Masilamani
- C. L. Johnson,CBCNC, Principal of the Baptist Theological Seminary, Kakinada,
There are many hymns written by Masilamani but the evergreen hymn for
Communion serviceJeevaharamu is the most popular among all theProtestant Churches.[7]
- Dass Babu,[61] CSI, Former communications secretary of the Church of South India Synod,
Masilamani was a man of the masses, standing tall with a handsome personality and a majestic demeanour coupled with remarkable oratorial skills, he made his presence on stage compelling.[7]
- Sam Chaise,[62] CBM, executive director, Canadian Baptist Ministries,
We at the Canadian Baptist Ministries always believed that the job of the missionaries is to disciple and train local leaders for the Church and to empower them to lead while the missionary takes a less public role. Masilamani was a significant example of the calibre of leadership that emerged in our work in India.
- Taranath S. Sagar,[63] MCI, Bishop in Bangalore Episcopal Area of the Methodist Church in India,
Masilamani's ministry of teaching and preaching strengthened millions of people in India across all denominations. Even in Maramon Convention, he was remembered and many people shared his ministry.[7]
- Thathapudi Mathews Emmanuel,Protestant Regional Seminary in Secunderabad,
Masilamani taught sound biblical doctrine to the Churches both by preaching and writing songs. He presented the gospel in a very simple manner which can reach even the rural masses. The whole Telugu Church benefited by his contribution which is long lasting.[7]
Masilamani spent eight days in 1982 at the revival meetings arranged at The Madras Centenary Telugu Baptist Church, Vepery and everyone appreciated the messages of Masilamani.[66]
Honours and recognition
For his contributions to worldwide Christian ministry many took note of Masilamani and was known by several nicknames, including 'Billy Graham of the East', 'Man of the Age', 'Spotless Gem' and 'King of Preachers'.[25] The Indian Railways have referred to Masilamani as a renowned Evangelist.[67]
1974: Honorary doctorate degree
In 1974, the McMaster University, Canada awarded him with a Doctor of Divinity degree.[68]
2006 & 2012: Critical research on the works of Masilamani
- In 2006,Prof. G. Yohan Babu.[69]
- In 2012, K. Ranjit Kumar, then Faculty Member at the Master's College of Theology, Visakhapatnam wrote an article entitled Bhakti as one of the leading factor for transformation in the lyrics of Acharya A. B. Masilamani in the Telugu Christian Hymnal which appeared in the Master's College Theological Journal.[8]
2014: Special TV documentary
In 2014, Aradhana TV, a Telugu Christian devotional TV channel, aired a one-hour special documentary on the life of Dr Masilamani as a tribute for his birth centenary celebrations.[70]
2021: Philatelic cover
On 30 November 2021,
Gallery
References
- ^ a b c d e f g W. G. Carder, Hand to the Indian Plow: Volume One, Carder, Hyderabad, 1976, Appendix I, p.105. [1]
- ^ a b c d e Indian Church History Review, Volume 13, Church History Association of India, 1979, pp.77–78. [2]
- ^ a b c Year Book of the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, 1962, p.106. [3]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n R. R. Sundara Rao, Bhakti Theology in the Telugu Hymnal, CISRS, Bangalore, 1993, pp.48, 56, 57. [4]
- ^ a b c d e f g h G. Babu Rao, in Souvenir of Birth Centenary Greetings of Rev. Dr. A. B. Masilamani, New Life Associates, Hyderabad, 2014, p.19
- ^ a b c A. B. Masilamani, Hindu Anticipations of the Christian Gospel, Emmanuel College, Canada, 1953. [5]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Birth Centenary Souvenir of Rev. Dr. A.B Masilamani. Hyderabad: Anupama Printers. 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g K. Ranjit Kumar, Bhakti as one of the leading factor for transformation in the lyrics of Acharya A. B. Masilamani in the Telugu Christian Hymnal, Master's College Theological Journal, Volume 2, Number 1, April 2012, pp.83–97.
- ^ A. B. Masilamani, Nadipinchu Na Nava, PDF version of song sheet at Evangelical Church of Kurhessen Waldeck, Germany. [6] Archived 5 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Masilamani's priesthood covered the period between 1934–1990 surpassing fifty years of ecclesiastical ministry.
- ^ a b c Billie Hanks, Billie Hanks Jr., Everyday Evangelism, Word, England, 1986, p.36. [7]
- ^ George Nedungatt, Quest for the Historical Thomas Apostle of India: A Re-Reading of the Evidence, Theological Publications in India, Bangalore, 2008. [8]
- ^ T. J. Jacob, My memories about Maramon Convention, Mar Thoma Sabha Doothan, 2014. [9] Archived 16 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c "Mar Thoma Messenger, Volume II, Number 1, June 1983, pp.23–24" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
- ^ George, K.M (1999). Church of South India: Life in Union, 1947–1997. New Delhi: Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Andhra Christian hymnal. Christian Literature Society. 1976.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7214-730-3.
- ^ Roger E. Hedlund taught at the Serampore College and is the Editor of the missiological journal, Dharma Deepika. [10] Archived 9 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Roger E. Hedlund, Quest for Identity: India's Churches of Indigenous origin: The "Little" Tradition in Indian Christianity, New Delhi, 2000, p.261. [11]
- ^ G. Babu Rao, Content Analysis of Theological Syllabi – Old Testament in Religion and Society, Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, 3 September 1985. [13]
- ^ a b "Fr. Remella Thomas (Compiled), Suswaralu, Don Bosco Press, Guntur". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ a b c Martin Senftleben, Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh, Unpublished PhD thesis, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, 1992. p.8. [14] Archived 9 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f "Indian Church History Review". google.co.in. 1979.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Arathi Walter, Priya Sishya: A Biography of A.B Masilamani, Anupama Printers, Hyderabad, 2014
- ^ "Seidel Abel Boanerges". Spurgeon's College. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ Sankar Ray, The William Carey Library in Serampore, Business Line, The Hindu, Friday 11 April 2008. Internet, accessed 17 October 2008. [15]
- ^ M. P. John(Compiled), Directory of students 1910–1967, Serampore College (Theology Department), Serampore, 1967, p.13.
- ^ The Bulletin – Committee on Archives of the United Church of Canada, Issues 5–13, United Church of Canada Committee on Archives, United Church Publishing House, 1952, p.52. [16]
- ^ Osmania, University. "Online Catalogue of Theses".
- ^ University of Edinburgh (1991). University of Edinburgh Journal. University of Edinburgh, Graduates' Association.
- ^ a b C. L. Johnson (Edited), Canadian Baptist Mission 125 years Jubilee Celebrations of Baptist Churches in Northern Circars, Baptist Theological Seminary, Kakinada, 1999, p.45-47.[17]
- ^ P. J. Alexander, Problems of Indian democracy, Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore, 1962, p.i, vii. [18]
- ^ Baptist Yearbook, Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, 1959, p.165.[19]
- ^ Annual Report of the American Bible Society, American Bible Society, 1967, p. 187. [20]
- ^ Orville E. Daniel, Moving with the Times, The story of Baptist outreach from Canada into Asia, South America and Africa during one hundred years (1874–1974) since the Canadian Baptist Mission was founded in India, Canadian Baptist Overseas Mission Board, Toronto, Canada, 1973, p.114.
- ^ Guide to Indian Periodical Literature. Vol. 23. Indian Documentation Service. 1989. p. 57.
- ^ "Acadia Divinity College" (PDF). 5 July 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2015.
- ^ Year Book of the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, 1982, p.159. [21]
- ^ Prospectus 1974–1975, Serampore College (Theology Department), Serampore, 1974, p.6.
- ^ Akashavani, Volume XXXIX, Number 40, 13 October 1974
- ^ See K. David, PhD (Edinburgh) elsewhere in this article.
- ^ See article on Andhra Christian Theological College where many of the successive academics have had theological grounding in Universities of Cape Town, Cambridge, Chicago, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Serampore, Wisconsin and the Spiritual Formators are said to take the example of Masilamani in steering clear of crises.
- ^ a b "ACTC web site. Milestones". Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ Theological Education in Andhra Pradesh – The Kretzmann Commission Report, Printed by A. Nageswara Rao at Saraswathi Power Press, Rajahmundry, 1970. [22]
- ^ M. Edwin Rao (Compiled), Prophet Azariah and the Blessed Dornakal: A centenary revisit 1912–2012, Dornakal Diocese, Dornakal, 2012, pp.85–87
- ^ Suneel Bhanu (Compiled), Bibliography of Original Christian Writings in India in Telugu, published by the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore, Bangalore, 1993. [23]
- ^ A. B. Masilamani, Zionism in Melu Kolupu (Telugu), Navajeevan publications, Vijayanagar Colony, Hyderabad, 1984, pp.121–126.
- ^ Proceedings of the Indian Christian Theological Conference in Indian Journal of Theology, Volume 10, Issue 3, July–September 1961, pp.116–122. [24]
- ^ A. B. Masilamani, The Modern Conception of Man in the light of the Christian Faith, Indian Journal of Theology, Volume 11, 1, January to March 1962, pp. 9–16. [25]
- ^ Paul David Devanandan, Christian participation in nation-building: the summing up of a corporate study on rapid social change, Jointly published by National Christian Council of India, Nagpur and the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore, 1960, p.318. [26]
- ^ Bhavan's Journal, Volume 28, Issues 1–11, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 1981, p. 172.[27]
- ^ Ch. Vasantha Rao, Sing to the Lord in T. I. James (Edited), Theopneustos: Given by Inspiration of God (Sermon Outlines 2013), CSI Synod Centre, Chennai, 2013. [28] Archived 13 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Mary Stillwell Mclaurin in John Craig, Stillwell, Archibald, Baskerville (Edited), Telugu Trophies, The Jubilee story of some of the principal Telugu converts in the Canadian Baptist Foreign Mission in India from 1874 to 1924, The Canadian Baptist Foreign Mission Board, Toronto, p.67.[29]
- ISBN 978-0-8028-7163-3.
- ^ Eric Lott, God and the Universe in the Vedantic Theology of Ramanuja: a study in his use of the self-body analogy, Ramanuja Research Society, Madras, 1976. [30]
- B. S. Devamani, The Religion of Ramanuja: A Christian Appraisal, Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1990. [31]
- ^ Andala Tara in Youtube
- ^ Newspaper, Sakshi (24 December 2014). "Nadipinchu Naa Naava". Sakshi Newspaper. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- ^ The Rev. C. L. Johnson had his spiritual formation at the Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur and provides leadership at the Baptist Theological Seminary, Kakinada.
- ^ The Rev. P. Dass Babu schooled at the Bishop's College, Kolkata and a prolific author including the recent one on Mother Teresa in Telugu.
- ^ Sam Chaise was the former general secretary of the Canadian Baptist Ministries.
- ^ The Rev. Taranath S. Sagar undertook his postgraduate studies at the United Theological College, Bangalore.
- K. V. Mathew.
- ^ The Rev. Talathoti Punnaiah was an Aspirant who underwent a 1-year spirituality course at the Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary under Louis F. Knoll to discern his avocation towards priesthood and continued to study further courses at the Andhra Christian Theological College, both at Rajahmundry and at Secunderabad. Punnaiah was Pastoring the Madras Centenary Telugu Baptist Church, Vepery, when A. B. Masilamani came visiting in 1982 and spent nearly eight days.
- ^ Talathoti Punnaiah, My Memoir, Ministry and Message: (60 years Life Experiences 1950–2010), Self-published by the Author, Kakinada, 2010, p.42
- ^ Indian Railways. 1986.
- ^ "McMaster University: Honorary Degree Recipients (Chronological)" (PDF). Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- ^ a b c Statement showing particulars of PhD degrees awarded for the year 2006 (Arts and Commerce), Andhra University, 2006 Arts.[32]
- ^ Aradhana TV. "Special Documentary on Life of A B Masilamani Garu". Aradhana TV. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Annual Report of the American Bible Society, Volume 147, 1963, American Bible Society, p.140. [33]
- ^ The Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary has been relocated from Secunderabad to Guntur in February 2016. See BSI auxiliary office opened in Guntur in The Hindu, Guntur, 3 February 2016. [34]
- ^ a b c "List of Visiting Professors" (PDF). Acadia Divinity College. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
Further reading
- Orville E. Daniel (1973), Moving with the Times, The story of Baptist outreach from Canada into Asia, South America and Africa during one hundred years (1874–1974) since the Canadian Baptist Mission was founded in India
- World Vision (1973). World Vision. Vol. 17.
- Church History Association of India (1979). Indian Church History Review. Vol. 13.
- R. R. Sundara Rao (1983). Bhakti Theology in the Telugu Hymnal.
- Ulrich M. Dehn (1985). Indische Christen in der gesellschaftlichen Verantwortung: eine theologische und religionssoziologische Untersuchung zu politischer Theologie im gegenwärtigen Indien. P. Lang. ISBN 9783820484762.
- Billie Hanks (1986). Everyday Evangelism.
- John Frederick Keith (1998). The First Few Wars are the Worst: His Grace Has No Measure. Canadian Baptist Ministries. ISBN 9781894031097.
- John Keith (2005). Wars Are Never Enough: The Joao Matwawana Story. BayRidge Books. ISBN 9781897213049.
- K. Ranjit Kumar (2012). "Bhakti as one of the leading factor for transformation in the lyrics of Acharya A. B. Masilamani in the Telugu Christian Hymnal". Master's College Theological Journal. 2 (1).