BIBLICAL THEOLOGY IN ASIA
CONTRIBUTION OF JOSEPH PATHRAPANKAL
Keywords:
Asian Reality, Biblical Theology, Church, Dharma, Dei Verbum, Dharmaram, DVK, Inclusive Approach, Liberation, Mission, Proclamation of the Gospel, Proselytism, Spirit of Dominance, Spirit of Openness, Truth, Vatican IIAbstract
The churches in Asia have many famous biblical theologians known for their illustrious teaching career, erudite publications and original ideas. Their literary contributions have enriched the treasury of Theology. Some of them have spent their lifetime in the formation of the clergy and the future ministers of the Word. Professor Dr Joseph Pathrapankal CMI (JP) is outstanding among them by reason of his illustrious teaching career, prolific literary contribution, multi-faceted ministry of the Word, dedicated service in different fields of biblical scholarship and Word-centred life. As a biblical theologian, clarity in thought, consistency of views and firmness in opinions are constant features of JP. This article gives a brief sketch of the life of JP, a summary remark about his vast literary contributions and a comment about JP’s dominant theological views. In fact, JP’s illustrious life as a biblical theologian is an eloquent example how a Bible scholar can be both critical and creative in one’s ministry of the Word. This article is also a tribute to this Nonagenarian Bible scholar. It may serve also as a challenge for the new generation scholars to become Word-centred persons so as to inspire the coming generations to involve critically and creatively in the mission of the Church today.
References
Vatican II, Ad Gentes
Gaudencio B. Rosales and Catalino G. Arevalo, ed., For All the Peoples of Asia, No. 12, Quenzon City: Claretian Publications, 1992
“Foreword,” Indian Interpretation of Bible, ed. Augustine Thottakara, Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications 2000.
Metanoia, Faith, Covenant: A Study in Pauline Theology, Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 1971.
Jacob Theckanath, “The Scars are the Proof: Reflections in the Proclamation of Christ in Asia,” in Indian Interpretation of Bible, ed. Augustine Thottakara, Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 2000.
Joseph Pathrapankal, “Interpreting the Biblical Text and Beyond,” Theology for Our Time 12 (July 2009).
L’Osservatore Romano 48, November 26, 2008.
Mathew Illathuparambil, ed., in The Contemporary Theologians: Context and Contributions, Bangalore: ATC 2006
G.M. Soares-Prabhu, Biblical Themes for a Contextual Theology Today, ed. I. Padinjarekuttu (Collected Works of George M. Soares-Prabhu S. J., Vol. I), Pune: Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, 1999.
Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini.
Indian Journal of Theology, 16 (1967).
Benny Nalkara CMI, “Book Review,” Asian Horizons 9, 1 (March 2015) 249-252. With regret I have to acknowledge that I could not get as I was working on this article a copy of JP’s latest book Turning to the Other Sides: Biblical and Theological Studies (2019).
S. Kim, “Reflections on Being a Bishop,” FABC Papers, 35, 1983.
F. Wilfred, “Some Tentative Reflections on the Language of Christian uniqueness: An Indian Perspective,” Vidyajyothi Journal of Theological Reflection 55 (1991).
S. Anand, “Universally Unique and Uniquely Universal,” Vidyajyothi Journal of Theological of Theological Reflection 55 (1991) .
Pathrapankal, Text and Context in Biblical Interpretation, Bangalore, Dharmaram Publications 1993.
St Thomas Aquinas, “Omne verum a quocumque dicitur a Spiritu Sancto est.” Summa Theologiae, I-II.
“Time and Eternity in Biblical Thought,” Journal of Dharma 1 (1976)
Joseph Pathrapankal, The Christian Programme, Bangalore: Dharmaram publications 1999.
L’Osservatore Romano, October 9, 2013.
Pope Francis’ address to priests and religious in St Peter’s Church in Morocco (Rabat), L’Osservatore Romano, April 5, 2019.
L’Osservatore Romano, December 22-29, 2017
Joseph Pathrapankal, “Reminiscences,” in Indian Interpretation of Bible, ed. Augustine Thottakara, Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications 2000.
