ISET Joint Program with FFRRC, Kottayam, Kerala
ISET (ECC)-FFRRC Seminar on “Darwin
November 25-26, 2009
A seminar
organized in collaboration with the theological institutions, ISET and FFRRC,
was organized at the ECC, Bangalore , during
25-26, November, 2009 on the theme: “Darwin
Dr. Mani
Chacko, Director of ECC, inaugurated the seminar with an introductory note. He
introduced Darwin, a grossly misunderstood thinker, as “being in a hopeless
‘muddle’…too complex, too subtle a man to be dismissed outright, as one who has
misled the world or the faithful…a creative thinker who had several genuine
questions to be resolved.” Darwin, a self-confessed agnostic but never an
atheist, is credited for his ‘doubt’ as worthy of our critical remembrance of
his contributions on his bi-centenary birth anniversary. The issues pertaining
to modern scientific development and the Christian faith are, thus, further
elaborated during the discussion in the following sessions. Dr. Sarojini Henry
through her two insightful and well-articulated papers drew the attention of
the participants to the question of the seeming ‘great gulf’ between the modern
science and religion. Some of the main issues highlighted during the first two
sessions in the morning were:
1. The
modern scientific research and advancement, earlier thought to be yielding
absolute objective truth and value neutral judgments, are in recent years
acknowledged as having relatively higher objectivity than the modern Christian
theological faith prepositions (esp. on the issue of creation). This current
advancement in the scientific claims necessitates an interpretation of acquired
scientific data just as in the case of any faith documents.
2. It
is currently accepted by all that there exist ‘gaps’ in modern scientific
knowledge. The general tendency to invent ‘God-of-the-gaps’ by the Christian
theists render the Christian faith merely tentative and redundant. Instead, as
Bonhoeffer stated, “We are to find God in what we know and not in what we do
not know.”
3. Some
crucial questions are, “Can a Darwinian be a Christian? Can the so-called
enemies marry (Darwin
In the
afternoon sessions, Fr. Dr. Mathew Chandrankunnel based his discussion on his
paper, “What Makes Us Humans? Different Ways of Relating Christian Faith to
Evolution Theory”. The prime concerns highlighted were:
1. The
question of radical continuity between various levels of species (from the
monocellular life to the complex human beings). The consequence of such
Christian understanding are far reaching including issues such as gender
equality, human stewardship towards the eco-system, the question of the
uniqueness of human being within the created order etc.
2. Ethical
dimension of scientific inventions and its implications on human life itself.
Questions such as: What is the intension/purpose of modern scientific research
(esp. issues like, cloning)? What are the acceptable limits of scientific
research?
3. Is
it sufficient to adjudge the ethical issues pertaining to modern science based
solely on ‘the principle of promotion of life’?
The day was
concluded by a vote of thanks by Ms. Walunila (M.Th. II Year) followed by the
closing prayer and benediction by Rev. Dr. K.A. Abraham. In the evening, a
cultural programme was organized by the FFRRC and the ECC communities.
On 26th
November, the next day began with Worship session led by Rev. Sunni E. Mathew
and team. It was followed by a retreat session by Fr. Dr. John Mathews. The
assembled delegates also expressed their heart felt condolences on the demise
of Rev. Mathew Thomas, a former student of FFRRC and those who had lost their
lives in the violent events in Mumbai, and Kerala. Subsequently, Rev. Reji
Samuel, Programme Coordinator of ECC, introduced the various aspects of ECC through
a power point presentation. The delegates later finalized the report of the
seminar prepared by the Drafting Committee consisting of Rev. Roji T. George,
Mr. Michael Kumar Chatterjee, and Ms. Walunila. The vote of thanks was
expressed by Rev. Chitti Babu and the concluding words were conveyed by Rev.
Dr. Mani Chacko.
ISET (ECC)-FFRRC Seminar on “Hermeneutic Paradigms and Measuring Empowerment: Methodological Approaches.” September 16 and 17, 2010
A seminar
organized in collaboration with the theological institutions, ISET and FFRRC,
was held at the ECC, Bangalore, on September 16 and 17, 2010 on the theme:
“Hermeneutic Paradigms and Measuring Empowerment: Methodological Approaches.”
It was attended by FFRRC students and family members (both M.Th. and D.Th.)
along with two faculty members (Rev. Dr. K. G. Pothen and Rev. Dr. K. A.
Abraham). The two main resource persons were Fr. Dr. Joe Arun and Dr. Joseph
George.
Fr. Dr. Joe
Arun, Secretary of Loyola College, Chennai spoke on the topic “Decolonizing the
Mind: Approaches, Perspectives, Worldviews.” He set the tone by introducing key
concepts like worldview, culture, cognition, language and context and how they
affect one’s fundamental approach to research. Drawing illuminating examples
from the contrast between Indian and Western way of life, he stressed the
relevance and significance of these concepts.
He stated that
the basic premises through which the decolonizing of the mind could take place
were to acknowledge both the constructed nature of reality and the need to
interpret the symbolized reality with an aim of empowerment. Basing on the
writings of Frantz Fanon he elaborated on the pervasive effects of colonization
on the mind and body and emphasized the need to decolonize these. He suggested
that like Fanon one must attempt to rediscover one’s subject-hood and agency.
Drawing on the insights of Michael Foucault he suggested that since discourses
have power, we need to deconstruct the discourses of the colonizers. Other key
areas that must be subjected to deconstruction include the context,
particularly the culture and the texts, including language and syntax.
Finally focusing
all these insights onto methodological approaches in research, he challenged
the students to apply this decolonizing methodology in their research areas. He
stated that the questions decolonizing methodology raises are very context
specific, like, who produces this research, who consumes it, and what economic
interests lie beneath. Discussions took place among students on the usefulness
of this methodology in their research and it was felt that a decolonizing
approach was relevant in studying texts, critiquing history, interpreting
sources, contextualizing hypotheses, and questioning dominant metanarratives.
After the
stimulating thinking of the day, students and faculty participated in a
‘Cultural Evening’ program. Everyone enjoyed the beauty of different cultures
exhibited through songs, dance and presentations.
On 17th
September, the day began with Worship and was followed by a session by Dr.
Joseph George, faculty of UTC College on the topic “Theologizing in India
Today: Challenges and Perspectives”. Dr. George stressed that theologizing in
India needs to consider the contemporary life situations and concerns
seriously. He pointed out three different levels at which theologizing takes
place- firstly the foundational experiences in sense, feeling and instant
thoughts regarding God; secondly articulation in religious language; thirdly an
emotionally detached critical reflection.
He reminded that
the ordinary and the extraordinary experiences within and outside the
boundaries of the church are basic subject matter of theology-making. This
calls for discovering and recovering respect for human experience as the
foundations for theological reflection. These reflections should rely on real
encounters with people in distress rather than relying on the method of
reporting.
He also pointed
out to the importance of the social location of theologizing which not only
includes, society, church and academy but also the locus of ministerial
engagements within the community such as family, marriage, pain and suffering,
leadership etc. Highlighting the role of praxis in theologizing, he also challenged
one to explore the role of rituals, symbols, songs etc, in the theological
enterprise. He recognized that in the secularized world, this dimension of
people’s life was being disregarded, which has led to a situation of crisis. He
concluded by suggesting that faith should lead us into our experiences; our
experiences should enlighten out faith; and finally in faith expressions we
must see God in action.
Dr. Joseph
George took the second session on the topic: “Advanced Level Theological
Education in India: Challenges and Directions”. He elaborated on the objectives
of advanced theological education in the Senate system, stating that
theological programs are expected to be contextually sensitive, academically
apt, and practically skilled for undertaking various ministries in the Church
and Society at large.
He next focused
on the personal-professional-ministerial formation of theological education. He
highlighted the merits and demerits of specialization in theology programs.
This calls the research scholars to be engaged in inter-disciplinary approach
to gain maximum benefit from the study programme. The research scholar needs to
be apt in Bible and its interpretation, skilled in communication, preaching and
teaching, adequately informed in the history of the church and cultural
traditions of the community, and sensitivity to understand the needs and
struggles of the people of God around.
He elucidated on
the debate between Text vs Context in advanced theological education,
suggesting that the text and context have to be mutually influencing. Thus a
dialogical text-context dialectic would have to be cultivated. Making use of
the metaphor of pilgrims and tourists, he encouraged students to be more
committed to their theological journey. He also encouraged that the Ecumenical
context in FFRRC should not be a burden but a blessing through creative
interaction.
The vote of
thanks was given and the concluding remarks were said by Rev. Dr. K. G. Pothen.
The Drafting
Committee for this report comprised of Barnabas, Shiby, Alemla and Georgie.
ISET (ECC)-FFRRC Seminar on ‘Challenges for Theologizing in India Today’
November 14-15, 2011
A joint seminar of ISET-FFRRC was organized at ECC,
Whitefield, Bangalore, on November 14-15, 2011, on the theme, ‘Challenges for
Theologizing in India Today.’ It was attended by FFRRC students along with the
three faculty members, staff, and families. The main resource persons were Dr.
Peniel Jesudason Rufus Rajkumar (UTC) and Dr. Allen Palana. (UTC). The seminar
began with a welcome note by Rev. Dr. Reji Samuel, In-charge ISET, followed by
an introduction to ECC and its programmes by Rev. J.R. Paul Singh, Acting
Director. A time of devotion was led by Rev. Dr. Abraham Philip.
During the first session, Dr. Rufus presented a paper
entitled, “The Changing Context and Content of Christian Theologising and
Social Thinking in India” which stressed the need to recognised the reality of
the inter-connectedness of the social thinking and the Christian theologising
in India in order to move forward in Christian social and political
engagements. The so called secular concerns like globalisation and ecological
concerns permeate the traditional domains of theological discourses, making
them interdisciplinary in nature. The process of doing theology in an inter-relational
manner has moved further in developing the idea of subaltern in a new way.
Rufus emphasises that the methodological exclusivism in current theological
discourse must give way to the relational methodology.
The second session dealt on “Christian Witness as With-ness in the context of the
‘conversion’ controversy in India”. The paper asserts that the ‘with-ness’ would be to recognise of the
agency of the subaltern and to offer resistance to all attempts to denounce or
co-opt the agency of the subaltern. For Rufus, the ‘with-ness’ would entail recognising subaltern conversions to
Christianity as signposts in the creation of a caste-free nation with justice
and equality. There is a need for re-definition of the concept of interfaith
dialogue. The ‘with-ness’ can be practised in the context of subaltern
re-conversions which should be approached with pastoral sensitivity recognising
the different manifestation of alternative subaltern agency. Both the sessions
were followed with animated discussion which brought out new dimensions of
meaning of the areas under study.
The day ended with a show-case of talents by the FFRRC
students and the ECC community members.
The next day began with a time of ‘Eco-Friendly Worship’
reminding ourselves once again of our symbiotic relation with the ‘Mother’
earth. Keeping the same mood, the delegates participated in planting a sapling
as a mark of celebrating life. Thereafter, Dr. Allen Palana gave a talk on the
theme, ‘Wither Bound Theological Education’ prompting an inward reflection on
the aspects of instruction and learning in the context of theological
education, based on the insights from the book of Acts. Several insights, such
as, centrality of worship, commitment to the divine vision, spotting of real
opportunities and risks, and the reality of institutional and personal
conflicts in the process of learning were shared in relation to the attitude of
the early church on instructing and learning in a situation of rapid social
change.
In the second paper titled “The Dialectic of Power, Force
and Authority”, Dr. Allen dealt with the exercise of Power in ecclesial and
institutional life. He observed that the fact of power needs to be reckoned and
called for the ethical exercise of power. Bringing in the metaphor of rainbow,
with the idea of force on one end of the spectrum and the idea of authority on
the other side, he called for the ethical and moral dimension of power which
manifested as authority. Both the sessions were followed by engaging
discussions.
The seminar ended with concluding remarks by Rev. Dr. K.G.
Pothen followed by vote of thanks, and prayer.
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