Daniel Sadananda
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Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda is a
New Testament The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity in the 1st century, first-century Christianit ...
Scholar who is re-elected as the General Secretary ''(Triennium 2017-2020)'' of the
Church of South India Synod Church of South India Synod is the highest administrative body of the Church of South India. The Synod (CSI Synod) governs the whole church and convenes the annual general meeting of CSI. The Moderator of the Synod is a Bishop who is a presiding o ...
headquartered in
Chennai Chennai, also known as Madras (List of renamed places in India#Tamil Nadu, its official name until 1996), is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population, largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost states and ...
as well as the Chairperson ''(triennium 2015-2018CSI Online News - August 13, 2015
/ref>)'' of the Council of the
United Theological College, Bangalore United Theological College (UTC) is an ecumenical Mainline Protestant, mainline seminary founded in 1910. It is situated in the southern city of Bangalore in the state of Karnataka in South India and affiliated to India's first Theological Unive ...
, the only autonomous College under the
Senate of Serampore College (University) The Senate of Serampore College (University) is an ecumenical regulatory and affiliating body for Christian theological education, which works in partnership with Bible colleges, seminaries and theological research institutes in the Indian subco ...
. 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'' and Ferdinand Kittel's complete works.


Studies


Post-graduate

After ministerial formation at the
Karnataka Theological College 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 Mangaluru of Karnataka in South India, and is affiliated to the na ...
,
Mangalore Mangaluru (), formerly called Mangalore ( ), is a major industrial port city in the Indian state of Karnataka and on the west coast of India. It is located between the Laccadive Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bengaluru, the st ...
, Sadananda was ordained as Deacon in 1986, and as Presbyter in 1989. Sadananda studied at the
United Theological College, Bangalore United Theological College (UTC) is an ecumenical Mainline Protestant, mainline seminary founded in 1910. It is situated in the southern city of Bangalore in the state of Karnataka in South India and affiliated to India's first Theological Unive ...
where he enrolled for a postgraduate programme,
Master of Theology Master of Theology (, abbreviated ThM, MTh or MTheol, or ''Sacrae Theologiae Magister''; abbreviated STM) is a post-graduate degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries. It can serve as a transition degree for entrance into a ...
, specializing in
New Testament The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity in the 1st century, first-century Christianit ...
under Professor Dr. M. V. Abraham between 1988-1990.K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), ''Directory of the United Theological College 1910-1997'', Bangalore, 1997. Past students of the postgraduate course, p.127. Sadananda's companions during his study years at Bangalore comprised B. D. Prasad Rao,
H. R. Cabral Hannibal Richard Cabral (25 June 1955Roydon D'Souza in ''The Mangalorean'', Karnataka Theological College bids farewell to Rev. Dr. J. S. Sadananda, 1 November 2009./ref> — 23 October 2021) was the former principal''Daijiworld Media Network Man ...
and
Jonadob Nathaniel Devasagayam Jonadob Nathaniel is a New Testament Scholar and the current the Director, Translations at the Bible Society of India, Bangalore. Jonadob was Translations Advisor at the Bible Society of India and was involved in language translation ...
, the present Director Translations of the
Bible Society of India The Bible Society of India is a Christian body that is authorized to translate, produce, distribute and market the Bible and is a member of the United Bible Societies. The motto of the Society is to translate the word of God into languages, which ...
. Sadananda's postgraduate thesis was entitled ''Sacramentalism in the Fourth Gospel: An exploration into the sacramental concern of the Fourth Evangelist''
BTESSC The Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC) is the arm of theological education under the Senate of Serampore College (University). BTESSC was formed in 1975. The Senate of Serampore College (University), under ...
, ''Thesis Titles'', Bangalore, 1991, p.11
done under Professor M. V. Abraham for which he was awarded a
Master of Theology Master of Theology (, abbreviated ThM, MTh or MTheol, or ''Sacrae Theologiae Magister''; abbreviated STM) is a post-graduate degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries. It can serve as a transition degree for entrance into a ...
(
M. Th. Master of Theology (, abbreviated ThM, MTh or MTheol, or ''Sacrae Theologiae Magister''; abbreviated STM) is a post-graduate degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries. It can serve as a transition degree for entrance into a ...
) degree by the university under the Registrarship of
D. S. Satyaranjan D. S. Satyaranjan (19 January 1939 – 13 June 2022) was a Silver Jubilee Pastor, a New Testament Scholar, and an AdministratorSamson Prabhakar (Edited), ''Together with People: Essays in honour of Rev. D. S. Satyaranjan'', BTESSC / SA ...
.


Research studies

For doctoral studies, Sadananda was able to enroll at the Kirchliche Hochschule, Bethel, Bielefeld in
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
with the help of
Gerhard Wehmeier 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.K. M. Hi ...
of the
Evangelical Church of Hesse Electorate-Waldeck The Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck (; EKKW) is a United Protestant church body in former Hesse-Cassel and the Waldeck part of the former Free State of Waldeck-Pyrmont. Constitution The EKKW is a full member of the Protestant Churc ...
who introduced him to Professor Andreas Lindemann of the Kirchliche Hochschule, Bethel,
Bielefeld Bielefeld () is a city in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe Region in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a population of 341,755, it is also the most populous city in the administrative region () of Detmold (region), Detmold and the L ...
where Sadananda then began researching under Professor Andreas Lindemann with the title ''The Johannine Exegesis of God: An Exploration Into the Johannine understanding of God'', which was co-moderated by Professor François Vouga. Subsequently, Sadananda's work was published in 2004 by a publisher in
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
.


Ecclesiastical ministry


Teacher

Since 1990, Sadananda began teaching at the Seminary established in 1847 by the Basel Evangelical Mission Society, which later became
Karnataka Theological College 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 Mangaluru of Karnataka in South India, and is affiliated to the na ...
,
Mangalore Mangaluru (), formerly called Mangalore ( ), is a major industrial port city in the Indian state of Karnataka and on the west coast of India. It is located between the Laccadive Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bengaluru, the st ...
, 1965Vijaya Kumar, ''Ecumenical Cooperation of the Missions in Karnataka (India), 1834-1989: A Historical Analysis of the Evangelistic Strategy of the Missions'', ISPCK, New Delhi, 2005, p.132.

/ref> and affiliated to the nation's firstUNESCO Structures of University Education in India, 1952
/ref> University, the
Senate of Serampore College (University) The Senate of Serampore College (University) is an ecumenical regulatory and affiliating body for Christian theological education, which works in partnership with Bible colleges, seminaries and theological research institutes in the Indian subco ...
. 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.


Administrator

Sadananda was the first
Kannadiga The Kannadigas or Kannadigaru (), often referred to as Kannada people, are a Dravidian ethno-linguistic group who natively speak Kannada, primarily in the south Indian state of Karnataka and its surrounding regions. The Kannada language belongs ...
to have been elected as the General Secretary in the history of the
Church of South India The Church of South India (CSI) is a united Protestant Church in India. It is the result of union of a number of Protestant denominations in South India that occurred after the independence of India. With a membership of over 4.5 million, it ...
during the 34th Synod of the
Church of South India The Church of South India (CSI) is a united Protestant Church in India. It is the result of union of a number of Protestant denominations in South India that occurred after the independence of India. With a membership of over 4.5 million, it ...
held in
Vijayawada Vijayawada ( ), formerly known by its colonial name Bezawada, is the second largest city and a major commercial hub in the Andhra Pradesh state of India. The city forms an integral part of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region and is situated on th ...
in January 2014 which also saw the election of Govada Dyvasirvadam as the Moderator and
Thomas K. Oommen Thomas Kanjirappally Oommen (born 29 November 1953) is an Indian Anglican bishop. He was the Bishop of the Madhya Kerala Diocese and Moderator of Church of South India. Early years Thomas K Oommen was born on 29 November 1953, to an agrarian Sa ...
as the Deputy Moderator. 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.


Honorary initiatives

As an ecclesiastical figure, Sadananda was a member of the Dialogue Commission between the
Vatican Vatican may refer to: Geography * Vatican City, an independent city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy * Vatican Hill, in Rome, namesake of Vatican City * Ager Vaticanus, an alluvial plain in Rome * Vatican, an unincorporated community in the ...
and the
World Alliance of Reformed Churches The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) was a fellowship of more than 200 churches with roots in the 16th century Reformation, and particularly in the theology of John Calvin. Its headquarters was in Geneva, Switzerland. They merged with the ...
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 The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) is the largest association of Reformed (Calvinist) churches in the world. It has 230 member denominations (227 members and three associate or affiliate members) in 108 countries, together claiming ...
.Anglican Link, ''New general secretary for the CSI, 14 January 2014.

'
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 United Theological College (UTC) is an ecumenical Mainline Protestant, mainline seminary founded in 1910. It is situated in the southern city of Bangalore in the state of Karnataka in South India and affiliated to India's first Theological Unive ...
elected Sadananda as the chairperson of the College Society for the triennium 2015-2018 succeeding G. Devakadasham, the outgoing chairperson. In April 2016 Sadananda was elected vice president of National Council of Churches in India, at the Jabalpur Assembly, for the quadrennial 2016-2020. In September 2017 Sadananda was elected as vice president of Christian Institute of Religion and Society, Bangalore. In December 2017 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.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sadananda, Daniel Christian clergy from Karnataka Kannada people 20th-century Christian clergy Indian Anglicans Indian Christian theologians Senate of Serampore College (University) alumni Living people Church of South India clergy Academic staff of the Senate of Serampore College (University) New Testament scholars Indian biblical scholars Tulu people Year of birth missing (living people)