G. Solomon (born 28 December 1910; died 6 February 1993)
was an
Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
Scholar
and a
Baptist
Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compete ...
Patriarch hailing from the
Protestant
Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...
Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches Society ''(an affiliate member of the
Baptist World Alliance
The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is the largest international Baptist organization with an estimated 51 million people in 2022 with 246 member bodies in 128 countries and territories. A voluntary association of Baptist churches, the BWA account ...
and the
National Council of Churches in India
The National Council of Churches in India is an ecumenical forum for Protestant and Orthodox churches in India.
History
The Council was established in 1914 as the "National Missionary Council." In 1923, the Council constituted itself as the "Nat ...
)'' and led it as its President during the years 1978-1982
overseeing the spiritual affairs of the Church Society whose ecclesiastical jurisdiction comprises the three states of
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...
,
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
and
Telangana
Telangana (; , ) is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian subcontinent, Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India b ...
with 873
[A. John Prabhakar, ''Preaching Contextually: A Case with Rural Dalits in India'', Notion Press, Chennai, 201]
/ref> Churches comprising nearly a million members per present statistics.
Contribution
Comparative analysis
In 1957, Solomon made a comparative analysis of suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness or aversion, possibly associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of a ...
as viewed in two ancient scriptures
Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various religions consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They differ from literature by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual prac ...
, one from the Ancient Near East
The ancient Near East was the home of early civilizations within a region roughly corresponding to the modern Middle East: Mesopotamia (modern Iraq, southeast Turkey, southwest Iran and northeastern Syria), ancient Egypt, ancient Iran ( Elam, ...
and the other from the Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...
where he provides the respective literature on suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness or aversion, possibly associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of a ...
in both the scripture
Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various religions consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They differ from literature by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual prac ...
s, its genesis and outlook and some common insights between the two, particularly on retribution (see Klaus Koch
Klaus Koch (October 4, 1926 – March 28, 2019) was an Old Testament scholar.
Koch first studied in the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz and later at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. He did his doctoral dissertation at the Ruprec ...
(1955): ''Is there a Doctrine of Retribution in the Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
''). Solomon highlights the example of Job (biblical figure)
Job ( ; he, אִיּוֹב – ''Īyyōḇ''; gr, Ἰώβ – ''Iṓb'') is the central figure of the Book of Job in the Bible. In rabbinical literature, Job is called one of the prophets of the Gentiles. In Islam, Job ( ar, أيوب, tra ...
where the sufferer endures it with the thought of a glimmer of hope some day or the other reposing unflinching trust in God
In monotheism, monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator deity, creator, and principal object of Faith#Religious views, faith.Richard Swinburne, Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Ted Honderich, Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Ox ...
. Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
Scholars down the line have drawn parallels[S. Prabhakara Rao and M. Prakasa Reddy, ''Job and His Satan - Parallels in Indian Scripture'' in '']Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
The ''Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft'' (''ZATW''/''ZAW'') is an academic German journal established in 1881. It is concerned with theological, linguistic and historical criticism of the Hebrew Bible. Formerly, it represented a ...
'', Volume 91, Issue 3, Berlin, 1979. on Prophet Job and Raja Satya Harishchandra providing scholarly insights into the problem of suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness or aversion, possibly associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of a ...
endured by these two legends[Madanu Francis, ''Why the Innocent Suffer: ]Job
Work or labor (or labour in British English) is intentional activity people perform to support the needs and wants of themselves, others, or a wider community. In the context of economics, work can be viewed as the human activity that contr ...
and Harishchandra
Harishchandra () is a legendary king of the Solar dynasty, who appears in several legends in texts such as the ''Aitareya Brahmana'', ''Mahabharata'', the ''Markandeya Purana'', and the ''Devi Bhagavata Purana''. The most famous of these storie ...
: Biblical and Puranic Expression'', St. John's Regional Seminary
St. John's Regional Seminary is the theologate of the Catholic Church of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is a major seminary training students to become priests.
St. John's Regional Seminary is situated in Ramanthapur in Hyderabad.
Affiliat ...
, Hyderabad
Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the ''de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part ...
, 1998. and how they overcame it for a cause. A chronological analysis of the comparative literature on the problem of suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness or aversion, possibly associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of a ...
in addition to the one by Solomon, reveals that John Bowker came out with ''Problems of Suffering in Religions of the World'' in 1970 where suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness or aversion, possibly associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of a ...
as viewed by the diverse religions of the world has been presented. Later, in 1979, the Pune
Pune (; ; also known as Poona, (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name from 1818 until 1978) is one of the most important industrial and educational hubs of India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million ...
-based inquisitive Chemical engineer
In the field of engineering, a chemical engineer is a professional, equipped with the knowledge of chemical engineering, who works principally in the chemical industry to convert basic raw materials into a variety of products and deals with the ...
s of the National Chemical Laboratory
The National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) is an Indian government laboratory based in Pune, in western India.
Popularly known as NCL, a constituent member of the CSIR India, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) India, it was estab ...
namely S. Prabhakara Rao[S. Prabhakara Rao, S. Ponarathnam and S. L. Kapur, ''The applicability of Kelen-Tudos method for the evaluation of monomer activity ratios in high conversions copolymerization'', in ''Report'', National Chemical Laboratory of India, Pune, 1976, p.110.]
/ref> and M. Prakasa Reddy[M. Prakasa Reddy and James E. Sturm, ''Decomposition of ethane in radiolysis and in glow discharges: Temperature and Pressure Effects'' in ''Bulletin de la Société chimique'', Volume 40, p.237 ff., 197]
/ref> came out with ''Job and His Satan - Parallels in Indian Scripture'' which was published in the Germany, German Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
scholarly journal, '' ZAW''. A couple of years' later, David J. A. Clines came out with a research paper entitled ''In Search of the Indian Job'' where he provides a century of scholarly research on Job
Work or labor (or labour in British English) is intentional activity people perform to support the needs and wants of themselves, others, or a wider community. In the context of economics, work can be viewed as the human activity that contr ...
and Raja Satya Harishchandra that appeared in the ''Vetus Testamentum
''Vetus Testamentum'' is a quarterly academic journal covering various aspects of the Old Testament. It is published by Brill Publishers
Brill Academic Publishers (known as E. J. Brill, Koninklijke Brill, Brill ()) is a Dutch international a ...
''. Later in 1998, a Scholar at the St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore
Bangalore (), officially Bengaluru (), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan population of around , making it the third most populous city and fifth most ...
studying under Anthony Raymond Ceresko and Gnana Robinson
Gnana Robinson (17 March 1935 – 3 February 2019) was an Indian Biblical scholar who studied the Old Testament.
Biography
Robinson was born into a Christian family who were communicant members of what was then the South India United Church. ...
researched specifically on Job
Work or labor (or labour in British English) is intentional activity people perform to support the needs and wants of themselves, others, or a wider community. In the context of economics, work can be viewed as the human activity that contr ...
and Harishchandra
Harishchandra () is a legendary king of the Solar dynasty, who appears in several legends in texts such as the ''Aitareya Brahmana'', ''Mahabharata'', the ''Markandeya Purana'', and the ''Devi Bhagavata Purana''. The most famous of these storie ...
focusing on the problem of suffering.
Solomon's research brought out the many facets of suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness or aversion, possibly associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of a ...
where his scholarship is profoundly visible as he sheaves through the views on suffering in the Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
as he quotes from the Pentateuch
The Torah (; hbo, ''Tōrā'', "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In that sense, Torah means the sa ...
and the other books of the Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
with a comprehensive bibliography but the conclusions that he drew are an eye opener for those viewing suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness or aversion, possibly associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of a ...
as a reason of our own follies. In the final analysis, Solomon looks into the possibilities of a more humane
Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, an ...
understanding of suffering
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness or aversion, possibly associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of a ...
overcoming Dogma
Dogma is a belief or set of beliefs that is accepted by the members of a group without being questioned or doubted. It may be in the form of an official system of principles or doctrines of a religion, such as Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Islam ...
and providing for repentance
Repentance is reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs, which is accompanied by commitment to and actual actions that show and prove a change for the better.
In modern times, it is generally seen as involving a co ...
or rather an opportunity to set right the past and move forward. Solomon wrote, ''The solution of the problem of suffering in Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...
is that God also suffers along with the sufferer and helps him to endure it for His glory.''
Solomon's work could best be understood if one were to look at a 1990[G. Babu Rao, '']Wisdom tradition
Wisdom Tradition is a synonym for Perennialism, the idea that there is a perennial or mystic inner core to all religious or spiritual traditions, without the trappings, doctrinal literalism, sectarianism, and power structures that are associated ...
and the Indian Parallels with special reference to Telugu literature
Telugu literature is the body of works written in the Telugu language. It consists of poems, short stories, novels, plays, and song lyrics, among others. There is some indication that Telugu literature dates at least to the middle of the first ...
'' in ''Reflections on Theology Today'', ACTC, Hyderabad, 199
work entitled ''Wisdom tradition
Wisdom Tradition is a synonym for Perennialism, the idea that there is a perennial or mystic inner core to all religious or spiritual traditions, without the trappings, doctrinal literalism, sectarianism, and power structures that are associated ...
and the Indian Parallels with special reference to Telugu literature
Telugu literature is the body of works written in the Telugu language. It consists of poems, short stories, novels, plays, and song lyrics, among others. There is some indication that Telugu literature dates at least to the middle of the first ...
'' by the Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
Scholar, G. Babu Rao, who writes,
Old Testament teaching
As an Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
Teacher, Solomon first taught at the Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary, Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
from 1958[B. R. Moses, ''Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary Centenary Report 1874-1974'', in K. J. W. Jayakumar (Compiled), ''The Lights That Never Quench - Baptist Missionaries'', Self published by the author, Nellore, 2008, pp.107-114.] to 1972 during the Principalships of The Rev.
The Reverend is an honorific style most often placed before the names of Christian clergy and ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and church traditions. ''The Reverend'' is correctly ...
Maurice Blanchard and The Rev.
The Reverend is an honorific style most often placed before the names of Christian clergy and ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and church traditions. ''The Reverend'' is correctly ...
Louis F. Knoll. Subsequently in 1962, the seminary was affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)
The Senate of Serampore College (University) is located in Serampore in West Bengal, India. Serampore was granted the status of university in 1829, making it India's first institution to have the status of a university.Government of India, Mini ...
, India's first University making the seminary become the first B.D.-level institution in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
to be affiliated with the University.
In the 1970s, Ecumenism
Ecumenism (), also spelled oecumenism, is the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity. The adjec ...
brought together the different seminaries in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
and Telangana
Telangana (; , ) is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian subcontinent, Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India b ...
with the starting of the near-ecumenical
Ecumenism (), also spelled oecumenism, is the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity. The adjec ...
Andhra Christian Theological College
Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary in Telangana which was founded in 1964. It is affiliated with India's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University G ...
in the year 1964 by the Baptists
Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only ( believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compe ...
( CBCNC), the Lutherans
Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Catholic Church launched ...
( AELC, SALC), the Methodists ( MCI) and the Anglicans
Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of the l ...
, Congregationalists
Congregational churches (also Congregationalist churches or Congregationalism) are Protestant churches in the Calvinist tradition practising congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its ...
and the Wesleyans
Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's ...
( CSI). Solomon's Church Society, the Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches
Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches (STBC), (Nellore) presently Headquarters A.B.M Compound, Markapur, Prakasham District, Andhra Pradesh( by its Add General Secretary Shri. Chilka David Prakash Rao ) by its Baptist Christian denomination in t ...
was already running a seminary with English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
as a medium of instruction with Serampore
Serampore (also called ''Serampur'', ''Srirampur'', ''Srirampore'', ''Shreerampur'', ''Shreerampore'', ''Shrirampur'' or ''Shrirampore'') is a city of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarter of the Srirampor ...
affiliation for its B.D. whereas the new near-ecumenical
Ecumenism (), also spelled oecumenism, is the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity. The adjec ...
venture offered L.Th.
The Licentiate in Theology or (in Britain) Licence in Theology (LTh or, in Australia, ThL) is a non-degree qualification in theology awarded in Canada and previously awarded in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
A qualification simila ...
courses in Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language
** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode
S ...
as a medium of instruction.
However, two years' later, the Ramayapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary through the efforts of both The Rev.
The Reverend is an honorific style most often placed before the names of Christian clergy and ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and church traditions. ''The Reverend'' is correctly ...
Maurice Blanchard as well as The Rev.
The Reverend is an honorific style most often placed before the names of Christian clergy and ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and church traditions. ''The Reverend'' is correctly ...
Louis F. Knoll in 1967, with the cooperation of the Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars
The Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars (CBCNC) is a Baptist Christian denomination in north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The churches are part of the Telugu Christian community of Southern India. Its language is Telugu. It is affilia ...
who sent their learned faculty comprising W. G. Carder began to function as a separate entity together with the within the campus of the newly-formed near-ecumenical
Ecumenism (), also spelled oecumenism, is the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity. The adjec ...
Andhra Christian Theological College
Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary in Telangana which was founded in 1964. It is affiliated with India's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University G ...
at its erstwhile location in Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry, officially known as Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and District headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the sixth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the District of Rajah ...
, giving an unprecedented impetus to the new near-ecumenical
Ecumenism (), also spelled oecumenism, is the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity. The adjec ...
venture as the inclusion of the Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
Seminary meant higher level theological education as well as English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
as the medium of instruction and also the availability of the well-trained faculty of the Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
Seminary comprising Solomon, Suppogu Joseph, Louis F. Knoll, P. Joseph, K. Wilson and others who moved from Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
to Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry, officially known as Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and District headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the sixth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the District of Rajah ...
to take up B.D. classes teaching alongside the faculty of Andhra Christian Theological College
Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary in Telangana which was founded in 1964. It is affiliated with India's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University G ...
which was then entitled to offer only Licentiate in Theology
The Licentiate in Theology or (in Britain) Licence in Theology (LTh or, in Australia, ThL) is a non-degree qualification in theology awarded in Canada and previously awarded in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
A qualification simila ...
courses. By 1972, Louis F. Knoll along with W. P. Peery led the integration of the B.D. section of the Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
Baptist Theological Seminary into the Andhra Christian Theological College
Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary in Telangana which was founded in 1964. It is affiliated with India's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University G ...
before it moved in 1973 to its present location in Secunderabad
Secunderabad, also spelled as Sikandarabad (, ), is a twin cities, twin city of Hyderabad and one of the six zones of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Telangana. It ...
.
Studies
After general studies at the AELC-Andhra Christian College
The Andhra Christian College or A.C. College is one of the oldest colleges in India located in Guntur Andhra Pradesh. It started in 1885. AC College is part of the education enterprise of the Protestant churches. It admits intermediate, undergr ...
, Guntur
Guntur () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Guntur district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Guntur is spread across 168.49 km square and is the third-largest city in the state. It is situated to the west of the Ba ...
leading to Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four years ...
in Mathematics
Mathematics is an area of knowledge that includes the topics of numbers, formulas and related structures, shapes and the spaces in which they are contained, and quantities and their changes. These topics are represented in modern mathematics ...
under the Andhra University
Andhra University (IAST: ''Āndhra Vișvakalāpariṣhat'') is a public university located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established in 1926.
History
King Vikram Deo Verma, the Maharaja of Jeypore was one of the biggest do ...
in 1934, Solomon took up work at the Buckingham and Carnatic Mills
Buckingham and Carnatic Mills, popularly known as B & C Mills, were textile mills run by Binny and Co. in the city of Chennai, India. The mills were closed down in 1996 and the site is now used as a container freight station and is a popular ven ...
in Chennai
Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
but a decade later, discerned his avocation towards priesthood and much like the early Church Father, Saint Ambrose of Milan
Ambrose of Milan ( la, Aurelius Ambrosius; ), venerated as Saint Ambrose, ; lmo, Sant Ambroeus . was a theologian and statesman who served as Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397. He expressed himself prominently as a public figure, fiercely promo ...
, Solomon relinquished civil work at Chennai
Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
and took to priesthood.
Graduate
By 1949,[K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), ''Directory of the United Theological College 1910-1997'', Bangalore, 1997. Past students of the college diploma course, p.24.] Solomon enrolled at the Protestant Regional Theologiate - the United Theological College, Bangalore
United Theological College (UTC) is an Eccumenical Christian seminary founded in 1910 situated in the southern city of Bangalore in the state of Karnataka in South India and affiliated to India's first Theological University, the Senate of Seram ...
for spiritual studies during the Principalship of Max Hunter Harrison, the College's first Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
Teacher and studied until 1952 for the three year Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity or Baccalaureate in Divinity (BD or BDiv; la, Baccalaureus Divinitatis) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology ...
course. Solomon's companions who were studying at the College at varying intervals included, D. J. Ambalavanar
The Right Reverend David Jeyaratnam Ambalavanar was a Sri Lankan Tamil priest and the Church of South India Bishop of Jaffna.
Early life
Ambalavanar was born on 28 February 1928. He was the son of Reverend Joseph Ponnambalam Ambalavanar and An ...
, N. D. Ananda Rao Samuel, V. C. Samuel
Vilakuvelil Cherian Samuel (Malayalam: വി.സി. സാമുവേൽ; Hebrew :שְׁמוּאֵל ; Greek: Σαμουήλ; Arabic: صموئيل; Latin:Samūēl Amharic: ሳሙኤል1912–1998), called ''Samuel Achen'' was an Indian Ch ...
, Victor Premasagar
Victor Premasagar (1927–2005) was the fourth successor of Frank Whittaker as Bishop in Medak. He was an Indian churchman and Old Testament scholar who made major contributions to research on the Old Testament and to the field of theology. Prem ...
, E. C. John, Bobbili Prabhudass and others.
During the ensuing convocation of the Senate of Serampore College (University)
The Senate of Serampore College (University) is located in Serampore in West Bengal, India. Serampore was granted the status of university in 1829, making it India's first institution to have the status of a university.Government of India, Mini ...
held in 1953, Solomon was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity or Baccalaureate in Divinity (BD or BDiv; la, Baccalaureus Divinitatis) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology ...
during the Registrarship of The Rev.
The Reverend is an honorific style most often placed before the names of Christian clergy and ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and church traditions. ''The Reverend'' is correctly ...
W. W. Winfield.
Postgraduate
During 1956-1957, Solomon was sent for postgraduate studies to the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Palmer Theological Seminary is a Baptist seminary in St. Davids. It is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. It was founded in 1925 as Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Its parent institution is Eastern University.
History
The ...
, King of Prussia
The monarchs of Prussia were members of the House of Hohenzollern who were the hereditary rulers of the former German state of Prussia from its founding in 1525 as the Duchy of Prussia. The Duchy had evolved out of the Teutonic Order, a Roman C ...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
, where he specialized in Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
and Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew (, or , ), also called Classical Hebrew, is an archaic form of the Hebrew language, a language in the Canaanite branch of Semitic languages spoken by the Israelites in the area known as the Land of Israel, roughly west of ...
language under the guidance of Edward R. Dalglish, Carl H. Morgan, and Walter B. S. Davis. By 1957, Solomon's research with the title, ''The Concept of Suffering in the Bible and Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Indian religion or '' dharma'', a religious and universal order or way of life by which followers abide. As a religion, it is the world's third-largest, with over 1.2–1.35 billion followers, or 15–16% of the global p ...
''[G. Solomon, ''The Concept of Suffering in the Bible and in Hinduism'', Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, ]King of Prussia
The monarchs of Prussia were members of the House of Hohenzollern who were the hereditary rulers of the former German state of Prussia from its founding in 1525 as the Duchy of Prussia. The Duchy had evolved out of the Teutonic Order, a Roman C ...
, 1957.
/ref> was published by the seminary leading to the award of Master of Theology
Master of Theology ( la, Theologiae Magister, abbreviated MTh, ThM, or MTheol) is a post-graduate degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries. It can serve as a transition degree for entrance into a PhD program or as a stand ...
in Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
.
Solomon's research work was translated into Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language
** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode
S ...
and published in 1964 with the title, ''Images in Suffering'' (Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language
** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode
S ...
: బాధయొక్క భావఛిత్రణము) that also appeared in 1993 in the compilation entitled ''Bibliography of Original Christian Writings in India in Telugu'' published by the (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 ...
).[ Ravela Joseph, 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.]
/ref> Solomon was among the first in India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
to have specialized in the Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
in the 1950s with the others being K. V. Mathew
Kuzhuvelil Varkey Mathew (born 2 November 1931) is an Indian biblical scholar and a member Fr. Max Gonsalves (Ed.), Society for Biblical Studies in India Directory 1998. Entry 131, page 30. of the Society for Biblical Studies in India.
Educati ...
, Rene Van de Walle, and E. C. John, all of whom were distinguished members of the Society for Biblical Studies in India.[ Fr. Max Gonsalves (Compiled), ''Society for Biblical Studies in India Directory 1998''.]
Specialized studies in Hebrew
During 1972-1973, Solomon again joined his alma mater, the United Theological College, Bangalore
United Theological College (UTC) is an Eccumenical Christian seminary founded in 1910 situated in the southern city of Bangalore in the state of Karnataka in South India and affiliated to India's first Theological University, the Senate of Seram ...
during the Principalship of the Systematic Theologian
Systematic theology, or systematics, is a discipline of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It addresses issues such as what the Bible teaches about certain topic ...
, Joshua Russell Chandran
Joshua Russell Chandran (1918–2000) was an Indian Christian theologian, who served as President of Senate of Serampore College, Bengal (1970–1), and as President of the United Theological College, Bangalore (1954–83), and was for some year ...
to study for a Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew (, or , ), also called Classical Hebrew, is an archaic form of the Hebrew language, a language in the Canaanite branch of Semitic languages spoken by the Israelites in the area known as the Land of Israel, roughly west of ...
language refresher course studying under the Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
Scholars, E. C. John and G. M. Butterworth, the former being a direct student of Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
's Master Specialists, Gerhard von Rad
Gerhard von Rad (21 October 1901 – 31 October 1971) was a German academic, Old Testament scholar, Lutheran theologian, exegete, and professor at the University of Heidelberg.
Early life, education, career
Gerhard von Rad was born in Nurem ...
and Claus Westermann
Claus Westermann (7 October 1909 – 11 June 2000) was a German Protestant Old Testament scholar.Luther Seminar Word & World (1/2) 1981 He taught at the University of Heidelberg from 1958 to 1978.
Born to African missionaries, he finished his stud ...
at the University of Heidelberg
}
Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, (german: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg; la, Universitas Ruperto Carola Heidelbergensis) is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, ...
, Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
.
Solomon's companions at the College during 1972-1973 included Johanna Rose Ratnavathi, Florence, Nirmala Kumari, Eleanor, D. Dhanaraj, John Sadananda, J. W. Gladstone, Sydney Salins, Christopher Asir, P. Surya Prakash and others hailing from the graduate section, while D. S. Satyaranjan, Nitoy Achümi, Timotheas Hembrom, G. Babu Rao, Basil Rebera and S. J. Theodore hailed from the postgraduate section.
Ecclesiastical Ministry
Pastoral
1951-1957: Tamil Nadu
Solomon first served as a Pastor[ R. Joseph, ''A History of the Telugu Baptist Churches'' (]American Baptist Mission
International Ministries is an international Baptist Christian missionary society. It is a constituent board affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. The headquarters is in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States.
History
The so ...
), Andhra Christian Theological College
Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary in Telangana which was founded in 1964. It is affiliated with India's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University G ...
, Secunderabad
Secunderabad, also spelled as Sikandarabad (, ), is a twin cities, twin city of Hyderabad and one of the six zones of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Telangana. It ...
, 2003, p.61. Cited by James Elisha Taneti in ''Caste, Gender and Christianity in Colonial India''.
/ref> at the Waterbury Memorial Telugu Baptist Church in Perambur
Perambur is a neighbourhood located in the northern region of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Etymology
In Tamil, ''pirambu (பிரம்பு)'' means bamboo and ''ur (ஊர்)'' means city or place. Before British rule, this place was wid ...
in suburban Chennai
Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
during 1951-1957 till he embarked on an overseas sojourn for his postgraduate studies.
1977-1986: Telangana
While teaching at the Andhra Christian Theological College
Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary in Telangana which was founded in 1964. It is affiliated with India's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University G ...
, Solomon was recalled by the Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches
Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches (STBC), (Nellore) presently Headquarters A.B.M Compound, Markapur, Prakasham District, Andhra Pradesh( by its Add General Secretary Shri. Chilka David Prakash Rao ) by its Baptist Christian denomination in t ...
in 1977 to take up ministerial duties at the STBC- Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad
Secunderabad, also spelled as Sikandarabad (, ), is a twin cities, twin city of Hyderabad and one of the six zones of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Telangana. It ...
in 1977. Solomon pastored the Church for nearly a decade until 1986 when he voluntarily resigned from the ministerial functions of the Church citing health reasons much like the present Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI ( la, Benedictus XVI; it, Benedetto XVI; german: link=no, Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, , on 16 April 1927) is a retired prelate of the Catholic church who served as the head of the Church and the sovereign ...
.
Teaching
1958-1972: Andhra Pradesh
When Solomon returned from the United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
in 1958, he took up teaching of the Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
[''Foundations: A Baptist Journal of History and Theology'', Volumes 11-12, 1968, pp.318-319.]
/ref> at the Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
Baptist Theological Seminary, Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
and later affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)
The Senate of Serampore College (University) is located in Serampore in West Bengal, India. Serampore was granted the status of university in 1829, making it India's first institution to have the status of a university.Government of India, Mini ...
in 1962. Subsequently, in 1967, the B.D. section of the Seminary moved to Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry, officially known as Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and District headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the sixth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the District of Rajah ...
and was housed within the premises of the newly-founded Andhra Christian Theological College
Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary in Telangana which was founded in 1964. It is affiliated with India's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University G ...
in Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry, officially known as Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and District headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the sixth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the District of Rajah ...
until it fully integrated into the Andhra Christian Theological College
Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary in Telangana which was founded in 1964. It is affiliated with India's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University G ...
in 1972 by Louis F. Knoll and later shifted to Secunderabad
Secunderabad, also spelled as Sikandarabad (, ), is a twin cities, twin city of Hyderabad and one of the six zones of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Telangana. It ...
in 1973. Solomon's students at Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
and Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry, officially known as Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and District headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the sixth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the District of Rajah ...
included the Church historian
Church Historian and Recorder (usually shortened to Church Historian) is a priesthood calling in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The role of the Church Historian and Recorder is to keep an accurate and comprehensive record of th ...
Ravela Joseph, the New Testament
The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christ ...
Scholar Suppogu Joseph, Bishop Emeritus
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an Holy Orders, ordained Minister (Catholic Church), minister who holds the fullness of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, sacrament of Holy orders in the Catholic Church, holy orders and is responsible ...
T. S. Kanaka Prasad, S. E. Krupa Rao, B. J. Christie Kumar and others.
1973-1977: Telangana
In 1973, Solomon moved to the Andhra Christian Theological College
Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) is a seminary in Telangana which was founded in 1964. It is affiliated with India's first university, the Senate of Serampore College (University) (a university under section 2(f) of the University G ...
which by then had shifted[''Minutes of the Biennial Convention, Issue 7'', Lutheran Church in America, 1974, p.55]
/ref> in its entirety from Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry, officially known as Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and District headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the sixth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the District of Rajah ...
to Secunderabad
Secunderabad, also spelled as Sikandarabad (, ), is a twin cities, twin city of Hyderabad and one of the six zones of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Telangana. It ...
and taught Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
and Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew (, or , ), also called Classical Hebrew, is an archaic form of the Hebrew language, a language in the Canaanite branch of Semitic languages spoken by the Israelites in the area known as the Land of Israel, roughly west of ...
language to aspirants hailing from the Anglican
Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of th ...
, Baptist
Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compete ...
, Congregational
Congregational churches (also Congregationalist churches or Congregationalism) are Protestant churches in the Calvinist tradition practising congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its ...
, Lutheran
Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Catholic Church launched th ...
, Methodist
Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's b ...
, Pentecostal
Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a Protestant Charismatic Christian movement , Wesleyan
Wesleyan theology, otherwise known as Wesleyan– Arminian theology, or Methodist theology, is a theological tradition in Protestant Christianity based upon the ministry of the 18th-century evangelical reformer brothers John Wesley and Charles W ...
and other small and indigenous Church Societies. Solomon's other teaching colleagues included the Cantabrigian
__NOTOC__
''Cantabrigian'' (often shortened to ''Cantab'') is an adjective that is used in two meanings: 1) to refer to what is of or pertaining to Cambridge University, located in Cambridge, United Kingdom;http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictiona ...
Victor Premasagar
Victor Premasagar (1927–2005) was the fourth successor of Frank Whittaker as Bishop in Medak. He was an Indian churchman and Old Testament scholar who made major contributions to research on the Old Testament and to the field of theology. Prem ...
, the Wisconsin University-Scholar, R. R. Sundara Rao, the New Testament
The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christ ...
Scholar, Muriel Spurgeon Carder, the Religions Scholars, Eric J. Lott, W. P. Peery, the Systematic Theologians
Systematic may refer to:
Science
* Short for systematic error
* Systematic fault
* Systematic bias, errors that are not determined by chance but are introduced by an inaccuracy (involving either the observation or measurement process) inherent ...
, Ryder Devapriam
Ryder Devapriam (3 July 1931 – 4 September 1992) was systematic theologian who taught during the 1960s and the 1970s at the Andhra Christian Theological College, a Protestant Regional Theologiate in Secunderabad, affiliated to the nation's fi ...
, R. Yesurathnam and others coinciding with the teaching tenures of Gali Bali, John Wijngaards
Johannes Nicolaas Maria Wijngaards (born 1935, in Surabaya, Indonesia) is a Catholic scripture scholar and a laicized priest.
Since 1977 he has been prominent in his public opposition to the teaching of the Catholic Church on the impossibility ...
and others at the St. John's Regional Seminary
St. John's Regional Seminary is the theologate of the Catholic Church of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is a major seminary training students to become priests.
St. John's Regional Seminary is situated in Ramanthapur in Hyderabad.
Affiliat ...
, the Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
Regional Theologiate. By 1977, Solomon had to leave the College as his Church Society recalled him and assigned ministerial duties at the local Church in Secunderabad
Secunderabad, also spelled as Sikandarabad (, ), is a twin cities, twin city of Hyderabad and one of the six zones of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Telangana. It ...
and was succeeded by The Rev.
The Reverend is an honorific style most often placed before the names of Christian clergy and ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and church traditions. ''The Reverend'' is correctly ...
G. Babu Rao,[''Guide to Indian Periodical Literature'', Volume 23, 1989, p.57](_blank)
/ref> a Teacher - in - Old Testament
The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...
at Serampore College
, founders = William Ward, William Carey, & Joshua Marshman
, religious_affiliation = Baptist
, rector =
, location = 8, William Carey RoadSerampore – 712201West Bengal, India
, established =
, principal = Vansanglura Va ...
, Serampore
Serampore (also called ''Serampur'', ''Srirampur'', ''Srirampore'', ''Shreerampur'', ''Shreerampore'', ''Shrirampur'' or ''Shrirampore'') is a city of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarter of the Srirampor ...
.
Among Solomon's students during that period included Alexander John, CSI, T. Punnaiah, STBC, L. Samuel John, AELC, D. Vasantha Rao, CBCNC, K. C. Martin, CSI, Bishop Emeritus
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an Holy Orders, ordained Minister (Catholic Church), minister who holds the fullness of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, sacrament of Holy orders in the Catholic Church, holy orders and is responsible ...
A. Rajarathnam, CSI, and others.
Reminisce
Talathoti Punnaiah, who was an aspirant at the Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
Baptist Theological Seminary in Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangl ...
during 1969 in his memoir titled ''My Memoir, Ministry and Message'' writes,[Talathoti Punnaiah, ''My Memoir, Ministry and Message: (60 years Life Experiences 1950-2010)'', Kakinada, 2010, pp.11-12.]
References
Further reading
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*
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Solomon, Gaddala
Telugu people
20th-century Christian clergy
Indian Christian theologians
Senate of Serampore College (University) alumni
Academic staff of the Senate of Serampore College (University)
Palmer Theological Seminary
Cross-cultural studies
1910 births
1993 deaths