Jesus said, ".... I will build my church, and the gates of hades will not prevail
against it" (Mat. 16:18). What concept/metaphor/image of the church was he alluding
to? What are its nature, character, and function? Is it a relevant institution today?
Well, these and few other pertinent questions are not just raised but grappled with an
Indian/Asian perspective by various authors in the book. The focus of the book is on
church as `Ekklesia', meaning "summoned or called out assembly of people".
It can also mean a convoked community. Present day, Indian church needs to redefine her
character and existence in such a way that it becomes meaningful and relevant to our
society. This book, `Ekklesia: Indian Conversations' is a humble attempt towards that
goal.
Contents
The Book
Foreword
Notes on Contributors
Preface
1. General Background of the Term `Ekklesia' / H. Joseph Lafakmawia
2. Egalitarianism in the Socio-Economic Life of Isreal : Implications for `Ekklesia' in
India / Atula Ao
3. Origin and Transition of the Church in the First Five Centuries / John Alex
4. The Growth, Development and Structure of the Church (kyriakon) in the Roman World
from Ist to 6th Century / Gaikaolung Dangmei
5. Confronting Socio-Religio-Political Oppressive Powers in the `Ekklesia' of God / H.
Joseph Lalfakmawia
6. Paul's Vision for the `Ekklesia' of God / Roji T. George
7. Paul's Understanding of `Ekklesia' as a "Community of Believers" : A
Christian Ethical Perspective / Ajungla Jamir
8. Kalisiya - ek Bharatiya Sanskarika Samudaya (`Ekklesia' - an Indian Sacramental
Community) / Samuel George
9. `Ekklesia' - The Body of Christ Defiled in the Church : A Christian Counselling
Perspective / R. Lalruata
10. `Ekklesia' Model or `Kyriarchal' Model : Hermeneutical Choice and the Future of
`Ekklesia' / Rosy Baroi
11. `Ekklesia' in the midst of Religious and Cultural Pluralism / John Basy Paul
12. `Ekklesia' - The Radical Democratic Assembly of Equals; Towards an Indian
Ecclesiology : A Pentecostal Perspective / V. V. Thomas
13. Sociological Perspectives for Ecclesiology : Towards a Sociology of the Church
based on Francois Houtart's thoughts / Jerome Sahabandhu
14. Ecclesiology in Context : Reflections from an Indian Perspective in the Light of
Current Ecumenical Deliberations / O. V. Jathanna
15. Towards `People' (Laos) Ecclesiology for Mission / Simon Pinto
16. The Significance of Communication in `Ekklesia' / Tinumeren Ozukum
17. Towards a New `Ecclesia' : Re-Reading the Concept of `Ecclesia' in the Bible : A
Few Pointers / Roger Gaikwad
Bibliography
Index
Contributors
Ms. Ajungla Jamir is from Nagaland and belongs to the Baptist Church.
She serves as the Assistant Professor (Christian Ethics) at Master's College of Theology
(affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)), Visakhapatnam.
Dr. Atula Ao (Tsuedir) is from Baptist Church of Nagaland. She was
awarded Doctor of Theology (Old Testament) from the Senate of Serampore College
(University) for her research on Prophetic Oracles in the Old Testament. Currently she
serves as the Associate Professor (O.T.) at Master's College of Theology (affiliated to
the Senate of Serampore College (University)), Visakhapatnam, and editor-in-chief of
`Master's Journal of Theology.'
Mr. Gaikaolung Dangmei is from Manipur. He serves as the Assistant
Professor (History of Christianity) at Master's College of Theology (affiliated to the
Senate of Serampore College (University)), Visakhapatnam.
Mr. H. Joseph Lalfakmawia is from Mizoram Presbyterian Church. Earlier
he served as the Assistant Professor (New Testament) at Master's College of Theology
(affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)), Visakhapatnam and also the
Dean of Academic Affairs. Currently, he is pursuing his doctoral studies in NIIPGTS
(Serampore).
Rev. Dr. Jerome Sahabandhu is an ordained Methodist minister, and
currently serves as the Principal of the Theological College of Lanka (Serampore
University), Pilimatalawa, Sri Lanka.
Dr. John Alex is from Kerala and serves with Jesus Mission. He was
awarded Doctor of Theology (Christian Theology) by Serampore University for his research
on Indian theologian - Pandipeddi Chenchiah. He also serves as the editor-in-chief of
`Ebenezer Theological Journal'.
Rev. John Basy Paul is an ordained minister of the Church of South
India (CSI), Dornakal Diocese. Earlier, he taught in the department of Religious and
Cultural studies at Master's College of Theology (affiliated to the Senate of Serampore
College (University)), Visakhapatnam.
Rev. Dr. Origen Vasantha Jathanna is an ordained minister in Karnataka
Central Diocese of Church of South India (CSI). A well-known Indian Christian theologian,
he earlier served as the Principal of the United Theological College, Bangalore.
Mr. R. Lalruata is from Mizoram and currently serves as the Assistant
Professor (Counselling) at Master's College of Theology, (affiliated to the Senate of
Serampore College (University)), Visakhapatnam.
Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad is an ordained minister of the Mizoram
Presbyterian Church. Earlier he served as the Director of SCEPTRE, and Principal of Aizawl
Theological College, Mizoram. Since 2010, he serves as the General Secretary of NCCI.
Rev. Dr. Roji T. George is from Kerala, and currently serves as an
Associate Professor in the department of New Testament studies at Luther W. New Jr.
Theological College, Dehradun. He is also the Managing Editor of `Doon Theological
Journal'.
Mrs. Rosy Baroi is from Nagaland. She serves as the Assistant
Professor (Christian Theology) at Master's College of Theology (affiliated to the Senate
of Serampore College (University)), Visakhapatnam.
Dr. Samuel George is from Jammu & Kashmir. Currently, he serves as
the Associate Professor (Christian Theology) and Principal of the Master's College of
Theology (affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)), Visakhapatnam.
Rev. Dr. Simon Pinto is an ordained Roman Catholic priest. Currently
he teaches Mission studies at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore.
Mr. Tinumeren Ozukum is from Nagaland. He serves as the Assistant
Professor (Communication) at Master's College of Theology (affiliated to the Senate of
Serampore College (University)), Visakhapatnam.
Rev. Dr. V. V. Thomas from Kerala is an ordained minister of the
Assemblies of God Church in India. He is the Head of Department of History of Christianity
studies at Union Biblical Seminary, Pune.
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