Andhra Christian Theological College
Encyclopedia
Andhra Christian Theological College {Telugu
: ఆంధ్ర క్రైస్తవ వేదాంత (దివ్యజ్ఞాన) కళాశాల} is a special purpose entity
- an ecumenical enterprise of some of the Church societies in Andhra Pradesh
in India
founded in the year 1964 and affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College, Serampore
, West Bengal
.
Andhra Christian Theological College came into being as a result of the Kretzmann's Commission which suggested carving out a unified seminary out of existing century-old seminaries catering to the various Church societies in Andhra Pradesh. It was also as a result of ecumenism
where a greater need for unity among the Protestant churches was felt worldwide.
ACTC is situated on the banks of Hussain Sagar
excess water canal (north) in Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
.
Vulgate
reads "Ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii in aedification corporis Christi." This is "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" in the King James Version.
The missionaries were careful not to encroach into others territories while ministering - they created comities for this purpose. Seminaries were established in Gooty
(Union Theological Seminary), Dornakal (Andhra Union Theological College ) to cater to the Church of South India, Ramayapatnam
(Baptist Theological Seminary) for the American Baptists, Luthergiri. (Lutheran Theological College) for the Lutherans, in Kakinada
(Baptist Theological Seminary) for the Canadian Baptists, and Shamshabad
(Mennonite Brethren Bible College) for the Mennonite Brethren.
There was exchange of Professors between the Seminaries. However, for higher education (Bachelor of Divinity
), they had to send their students to West Bengal
where Serampore College
is located.
felt the need for having a unified seminary where higher theological education could be taught. Together, they appointed a Commission under the Chairmanship of M.L.Kretzmann to explore the possibilities of forming such a unified Seminary. After a lot of talks, the Commission came out with a report that was tabled before many of the then existing Church societies. Some of the Church societies agreed for the setting up of a unified Seminary. They zeroed-in onto Luthergiri. With this, all higher-educated Theologians taught in the newly set-up College.
in East Godavari
District with the coming together of the following theological colleges, viz.,
Later, due to pollution from nearby Paper Mills, they felt the need to relocate. After many deliberations, they chose Secunderabad
. By 1973 the college in its entirety was moved from Rajahmundry
to Secunderabad
. By virtue of postal re-classification in the 1990s, its location fell under Hyderabad.
Apart from the courses offered through the Senate, the College independently offers a three-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) course through evening classes targeting the lay people.
(four years) and Bachelor of Divinity
(five years) are awarded by the Senate of Serampore College (University)
.
Every morning, worship services are held in the Chapel
on the top floor of the administrative building for the students and the faculty. On Sundays, the Chapel
is also used for worship services for the general public too. Sunday School classes are held separately for children according to their ages.
Many festivals also take place here exclusive to the ACTC community, including Christian Home Festival, Carey Day, CSI Day, Reformation Day, Independence Day.
The Church societies commonly associated with Protestantism
in southern India include those from the Church of South India
, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists among others. Each Church has a tradition of its own. In ACTC, apart from teaching of theological subjects, students are also taught their respective Church doctrine. This is of course extra curricular and does not part form part of the syllabi prescribed by the University
.
. Ch. Vasantha Rao is the present Principal.
Sacred Scriptures
Religion
History of Christianity
Missiology
Social Analysis
Homiletics
Systematic Theology
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
: ఆంధ్ర క్రైస్తవ వేదాంత (దివ్యజ్ఞాన) కళాశాల} is a special purpose entity
Special purpose entity
A special purpose entity is a legal entity created to fulfill narrow, specific or temporary objectives...
- an ecumenical enterprise of some of the Church societies in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
founded in the year 1964 and affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College, Serampore
Serampore
Serampore is a city and a municipality in Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. It is a pre-colonial town on the right bank of the Hoogli River...
, West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
.
Andhra Christian Theological College came into being as a result of the Kretzmann's Commission which suggested carving out a unified seminary out of existing century-old seminaries catering to the various Church societies in Andhra Pradesh. It was also as a result of ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
where a greater need for unity among the Protestant churches was felt worldwide.
ACTC is situated on the banks of Hussain Sagar
Hussain Sagar
Hussain Sagar is a lake in Hyderabad, India, built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. It was a lake of 24 square kilometres built on a tributary of the River Musi to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city. There is a large monolithic statue of...
excess water canal (north) in Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
.
Motto
The College motto is derived from Ephesians 4:12, which in the LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
Vulgate
Vulgate
The Vulgate is a late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. It was largely the work of St. Jerome, who was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 to make a revision of the old Latin translations...
reads "Ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii in aedification corporis Christi." This is "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" in the King James Version.
Background
Missionaries in Andhra Pradesh were involved in spreading the Word of God. With a sizeable converts at hand the need for ministering them was possible only with Priests. With this, they started to open seminaries.The missionaries were careful not to encroach into others territories while ministering - they created comities for this purpose. Seminaries were established in Gooty
Gooty
Gooty is a census town in Anantapur district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The history of Gooty dates back to the 7th century when is was previously known as Gowthamapuri. The region of Gooty was first under the rule of king Ashoka and there is a minor rock edict in Yerraguda...
(Union Theological Seminary), Dornakal (Andhra Union Theological College ) to cater to the Church of South India, Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam
Ramayapatnam is a small village in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal, 5 km from NH-5. It is a tourist destination....
(Baptist Theological Seminary) for the American Baptists, Luthergiri. (Lutheran Theological College) for the Lutherans, in Kakinada
Kakinada
Kakinada is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad. It is also the headquarters of East Godavari district. It is nicknamed "Fertilizer City" , "Pensioner's Paradise" and "Second Madras"...
(Baptist Theological Seminary) for the Canadian Baptists, and Shamshabad
Shamshabad
Shamshabad is a suburban village and a mandal headquarters, located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, India.There is a railway station at Shamshabad which is part of the South Central Railway, Indian Railways.-Geography:Shamsabad is located at...
(Mennonite Brethren Bible College) for the Mennonite Brethren.
There was exchange of Professors between the Seminaries. However, for higher education (Bachelor of Divinity
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
), they had to send their students to West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
where Serampore College
Serampore College
Serampore College is located in Serampore Town, in Hooghly District, West Bengal, India.The college consists of two entities:*The theological faculty*A separate college with faculties of arts, science, commerce...
is located.
The Kretzmann's Commission
Some of the Church societies in Andhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
felt the need for having a unified seminary where higher theological education could be taught. Together, they appointed a Commission under the Chairmanship of M.L.Kretzmann to explore the possibilities of forming such a unified Seminary. After a lot of talks, the Commission came out with a report that was tabled before many of the then existing Church societies. Some of the Church societies agreed for the setting up of a unified Seminary. They zeroed-in onto Luthergiri. With this, all higher-educated Theologians taught in the newly set-up College.
| Participating Church Societies |
|---|
|
Location
In the year 1964, the College was set up in Luthergiri in the river town of RajahmundryRajahmundry
Rajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
in East Godavari
East Godavari
East Godavari District is a district situated on the northeast of the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Its district headquarters is Kakinada. It is the second richest district in the whole country...
District with the coming together of the following theological colleges, viz.,
- Andhra Union Theological College, Dornakal,
- Baptist Theological Seminary, KakinadaKakinadaKakinada is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad. It is also the headquarters of East Godavari district. It is nicknamed "Fertilizer City" , "Pensioner's Paradise" and "Second Madras"...
, - RamayapatnamRamayapatnamRamayapatnam is a small village in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal, 5 km from NH-5. It is a tourist destination....
Baptist Theological Seminary, RamayapatnamRamayapatnamRamayapatnam is a small village in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, India on the bank of the Bay of Bengal, 5 km from NH-5. It is a tourist destination....
, and - Lutheran Theological College, RajahmundryRajahmundryRajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
, - Union Theological Seminary, GootyGootyGooty is a census town in Anantapur district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The history of Gooty dates back to the 7th century when is was previously known as Gowthamapuri. The region of Gooty was first under the rule of king Ashoka and there is a minor rock edict in Yerraguda...
.
Later, due to pollution from nearby Paper Mills, they felt the need to relocate. After many deliberations, they chose Secunderabad
Secunderabad
Secunderabad popularly known as the twin city of Hyderabad is located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh north of Hyderabad. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Secunderabad was founded in 1806 AD as a British cantonment...
. By 1973 the college in its entirety was moved from Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
to Secunderabad
Secunderabad
Secunderabad popularly known as the twin city of Hyderabad is located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh north of Hyderabad. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Secunderabad was founded in 1806 AD as a British cantonment...
. By virtue of postal re-classification in the 1990s, its location fell under Hyderabad.
Internal
- Bachelor of TheologyBachelor of TheologyThe Bachelor of Theology is a three to five year undergraduate degree in theological disciplines. Candidates for this degree typically must complete course work in Greek or Hebrew, as well as systematic theology, biblical theology, ethics, homiletics and Christian ministry...
(B.Th.) - Bachelor of DivinityBachelor of DivinityIn Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
(B.D.Bachelor of DivinityIn Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
)
External
- Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip.C.S.)
- Bachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S.)
- Master of Ministry (M.Min.)
Apart from the courses offered through the Senate, the College independently offers a three-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) course through evening classes targeting the lay people.
Admission of students
Students are admitted on quota-basis linked to the representation factor of the participating Church societies and taught varied subjects of religion. An entrance test is conducted before admission. Church sponsorship is a must before joining. Bachelor of TheologyBachelor of Theology
The Bachelor of Theology is a three to five year undergraduate degree in theological disciplines. Candidates for this degree typically must complete course work in Greek or Hebrew, as well as systematic theology, biblical theology, ethics, homiletics and Christian ministry...
(four years) and Bachelor of Divinity
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
(five years) are awarded by the Senate of Serampore College (University)
Senate of Serampore College (University)
The Senate of Serampore College is located in Serampore Town, in Hooghly District, 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....
.
Campus Life
ACTC has several recreational facilities, including a throwball court, a tennis court, a basketball court, a volleyball court, a table tennis room and a large ground that is used for playing football and cricket.Every morning, worship services are held in the Chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
on the top floor of the administrative building for the students and the faculty. On Sundays, the Chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
is also used for worship services for the general public too. Sunday School classes are held separately for children according to their ages.
Many festivals also take place here exclusive to the ACTC community, including Christian Home Festival, Carey Day, CSI Day, Reformation Day, Independence Day.
Library
The college has a well-equipped library including reading room facilities with more than 38,000 books on its racks besides 35 subscribed periodicals.The Hall System
W. D. Coleman, the first Principal of the College explains the Hall System as:The Church societies commonly associated with Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
in southern India include those from the Church of South India
Church of South India
The Church of South India is the successor of the Church of England in India. It came into being in 1947 as a union of Anglican and Protestant churches in South India. With a membership of over 3.8 million, it is India's second largest Christian church after the Roman Catholic Church in India...
, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists among others. Each Church has a tradition of its own. In ACTC, apart from teaching of theological subjects, students are also taught their respective Church doctrine. This is of course extra curricular and does not part form part of the syllabi prescribed by the University
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
.
Principalship
Principalship is for a term of four years. Each participating Church society gets a chance on rotation. Currently, the four-year cycle of Principalship is with the Church of South IndiaChurch of South India
The Church of South India is the successor of the Church of England in India. It came into being in 1947 as a union of Anglican and Protestant churches in South India. With a membership of over 3.8 million, it is India's second largest Christian church after the Roman Catholic Church in India...
. Ch. Vasantha Rao is the present Principal.
Present Staff
| List of Principalships (Church society, Years, Principal) |
|---|
|
Teaching staff
The faculty at ACTC have substantial pastoral experience and theological grounding. The present faculty include:Sacred Scriptures
- Old TestamentOld TestamentThe Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
- Rev. Dr. Ch. vasantha rao
- Rev. T.Matthews Emmanuel
- Rev. R.Jeeva Kumar
- New TestamentNew TestamentThe New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
- Rev. V. Manikya Rao,
- Rev. Dr. K. Suraj Kumar
- Rev. M. John Sunder
Religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
- Rev. Dr. T. Swami Raju,
- Rev. P. Alexander,
- Rev. S. Vijaya Kumari Joseph,
History of Christianity
History of Christianity
The history of Christianity concerns the Christian religion, its followers and the Church with its various denominations, from the first century to the present. Christianity was founded in the 1st century by the followers of Jesus of Nazareth who they believed to be the Christ or chosen one of God...
- Rev. K. L. Richardson,
- Rev. G.Moses,
Missiology
Missiology
Missiology is the area of practical theology that investigates the mandate, message, and mission of the Christian church, especially the nature of missionary work...
- Rev. Ch. Joshi Ananda Prakash
Social Analysis
- Rev. P. Praveen Prabhu Sudheer
Homiletics
Homiletics
Homiletics , in theology the application of the general principles of rhetoric to the specific department of public preaching. The one who practices or studies homiletics is called a homilist....
- Rev. Dr. K. Reuben Mark
- Rev. A. John Prabhakar
Systematic Theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
- Rev. S. I. Nirmal Kumar