{{Infobox_University |name=Andhra Christian Theological College |native_name=''Andhra Chraistava Vedanta Kalashala'' |image= |latin_name= |motto="For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." |established=[[1964]] |type=[[Seminary]] |chancellor=Chairperson Rev. C.L. Johnson |principal=Rev. Dr. N.V. Luther Paul |students= |city=[[Hyderabad]] |state=[[Andhra Pradesh]] |country=[[India]] |campus=Urban |affiliations=Senate of [[Serampore College]] (University) |website=http://www.actcindia.com |footnotes=Data [[as of 2006]] }} '''Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC)'''Reformed Online[http://www.reformiert-online.net/adressen/detail.php?id=11197&lg=eng] Addresses. Retrieved April 23, 2006. is an ecumenical enterprise of the mainline Churches in [[Andhra Pradesh]] in [[India]]. It was established in the year 1964 and is affiliated to the '''Senate of [[Serampore College]] ( which is an unaccredited University)'''Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Education [http://www.education.nic.in/cd50years/n/75/7Y/757Y0H01.htm] Other Universities. Retrieved April 23, 2006. William Carey College[http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/serampore/serampore.htm] Nepal Serampore College. Retrieved April 23, 2006.Indiaedunews.net [http://www.indiaedunews.net/InternationalNews/internationalnews.asp] Nepal Christians to renew ties with Bengal college. Retrieved April 23, 2006.. ACTC is situated on the banks of Hussainsagar excess water canal (north) in Gandhinagar, [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]. ==Motto== Verse XII of Chapter IV of [[Ephesians]] found in the '''[[Holy Bible]]''' - '''[[King James Version]]''' - "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" Scripturetext.com[http://scripturetext.com/ephesians/4-12.htm] Ephesians 4:12. Retrieved April 23, 2006.: is the force behind this ecumenical enterprise. In the '''[[Latin Vulgate]]''', it is said thusThe Latin Vulgate [http://www.latinvulgate.com/verse.aspx?t=1&b=10&c=4] The Epistle of St.Paul to the Ephesians: Chapter 4. Retrieved April 23, 2006., ''"ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii in aedificationem corporis christi"''. ==Background== Missionaries in Andhra Pradesh were involved in spreading Martin Senftleben [http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis1.pdf] Influences of Hinduism on Christianity in Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved April 23, 2006. 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 Dornakal (Andhra Union Theological College [http://www.library.uu.nl/digiarchief/dip/diss/01872495/chapter9.pdf]) to cater to the Church of South India, Ramapatnam (Baptist Theological Seminary) for the American Baptists, LuthergiriWinnipeg Free Press[http://www.abrahamlincolnarchive.com/Landing.aspx?search=luthergiri&img=Rvj45z7SpqiKID/6NLMW2ql7x7NgdtJRVzgeTTqBil9AAmBs+7/uoA==] United Lutheran Church Advances - The Board sends new missionaries to each of six foreign mission fields. Retrieved April 23, 2006.. (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. ==The Kretzmann's Commission== The mainline Churches in [[Andhra Pradesh]] 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.KretzmannGrace Lutheran Church[http://www.gracelutheranchurch.ca/MMS_IELC.html] India Evangelical Lutehran Church. Retrieved April 23, 2006. crossings.org[http://www.crossings.org/thursday/Thur010804.htm] The LCMS Mission Affirmations of 1965 - Then and Now. Retrieved April 23, 2006. 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 the mainline Churches. All the mainline Churches except the Mennonite BrethrenM.B.Herald[http://old.mbconf.ca/mb/mbh3509.htm] MBs have history of involvement in India. Retrieved April 23, 2006. 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. ==Accreditation== The degrees are accredited by what is called the Senate of Serampore College which is also addressed by many Indian Christians as Serampore University. However, this is only a pseudonym and the Senate of Serampore College is not an accredited University. It has no status in front of the University Grants Commission. It is not accredited by any accrediting body in India. Consequently, the degrees issued by this theological department do not carry the name of any University. As such, its degrees may not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions. According to the India Department of Education, without accreditation or an act of Parliament "It is emphasized that these fake institutions have no legal entity to call themselves as University/Vishwvidyalaya and to award ‘degrees’ which are not treated as valid for academic/employment purposes." [http://www.education.nic.in/htmlweb/he-centraluniversities-list.htm]. It is also not listed by the UNESCO list of accredited institutions of higher learning [http://www.unesco.org/iau/onlinedatabases/list.html] ==Location== In the year 1964, the College was set up in Luthergiri in the river town of [[Rajahmundry]] in [[East Godavari]] District with the coming together of the following theological colleges[[Victor Premasagar]] [http://www.mergingcurrents.com/book.php?BookSKU=2928] Interpretive Diary of a Bishop, Chennai, 2001, p.88, ''viz.,'' * Andhra Union Theological College, Dornakal, * [[Baptist Theological Seminary]], [[Kakinada]], * Baptist Theological Seminary, Ramapatnam, and * Lutheran Theological College, [[Rajahmundry]]. 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 (India)|Hyderabad]]. ==Courses offered== ===Internal=== * [[Bachelor of Theology]] (B.Th.) * [[Bachelor of Divinity]] (B.D.) ===External=== * Bachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S.) * Master of Ministry (M.Min.) ===Campus Life=== ACTC has a lot of playgrounds Nathan Productions[http://www.nathanproductions.com/india/india_sbs1998_photos.html] India Ministries. Retrieved [[April 23]] [[2006]].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. By evening, students could be seen in these courts. Sometimes, the members of the faculty also take part in the games. Children of the students and the faculty could be seen together playing. Every Sunday, worship services are held in the [[Chapel]] on the top floor of the administrative building. Sunday School classes are held separately for children according to their ages. Many festivals also take place here exclusive to the ACTC community. Christian Home Festival, Carey Day, CSI Day, Reformation Day, Independence Day are some of the festivals celebrated here. Graduation Day is when graduating students prepare to leave ACTC for Church ministry. ==Board of Governors== The College is governed by representatives of the mainline Churches: '''Founding mission / Indian succeeder / Headquarters''' * American Baptist Mission / '''[[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches]]'''Baptist World Alliance - Heritage and Identity Commission [http://www.bwa-baptist-heritage.org/hst-ind.htm] Who are the Baptists ?. Retrieved April 23, 2006. / [[Nellore]] * American Methodists / '''Methodist Church in India''' (Hyderabad Regional Conference) General Board of Global Ministries - The United Methodist Church [http://gbgm-umc.org/country_profiles/countries/ind/Missionprofile.stm] Religious Demographics. Retrieved April 23, 2006./ [[Hyderabad (India)|Hyderabad]] * [[Church Missionary Society]], [[Society for the Propagation of the Gospel]], The [[Church of England]], [[Wesleyan]] Methodist Society / '''[[Church of South India]]''' - Dioceses of [[Medak]], [[Karimnagar]], Dornakal, [[Krishna]]-[[Godavari]], [[Nandyal]], and [[Rayalaseema]] / [[Medak]], [[Karimnagar]], Dornakal, Bandar, [[Nandyal]], and [[Gooty]] * [[Canadian Baptist Mission]] / '''[[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars]]'''Baptist World Alliance - Heritage and Identity Commission [http://www.bwa-baptist-heritage.org/hst-ind.htm] Who are the Baptists ?. Retrieved April 23, 2006. / [[Kakinada]] * Evangelist S.Paul RajELM Department of Mission & Ecumenism ((Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Lower Saxony) [http://bs.cyty.com/elmbs/indie_en.htm] India - Our Connection. Retrieved April 23, 2006. / '''Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church''' / [[Bhadrachalam]] * German Lutheran Hermannsburg Mission Evangelical Lutheran Church in America [http://bs.cyty.com/elmbs/indie_en.htm] India - Our Connection. Retrieved April 23, 2006.Church Lexicon [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.bautz.de/bbkl/m/mylius_g_g_l_a.shtml&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmartin%2BSenftleben%2Bandhra%2Bchristian%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D] History of SALC/ '''South Andhra Lutheran Church''' / [[Tirupati]] * United Lutheran Church in America / '''Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church''' / [[Guntur]] ==Students== Students are admitted on quota-basis linked to the representation factor of the mainline Churches and taught varied subjects of religion. An entrance test is conducted before admission. Church sponsorship is a must before joining. [[Bachelor of Theology]] (four years) and [[Bachelor of Divinity]] (five years) are awarded by the Senate of [[Serampore College]] (University). ==Present staff== ===Teaching staff=== A good number of faculty teach varied subjects of theology. Principalship is for a term of four years. Each mainline Church gets a chance on rotation. Presently, four-year cycle of Principalship is with the '''Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church'''. Rev. Dr. N.V. Luther Paul is the present Principal. The present faculty include: '''[[Old Testament]]''' * Rev. Dr. N.V. Luther Paul [http://www.mergingcurrents.com/authors.php?StartsWith=N&AuthorID=4290][http://www.mergingcurrents.com/category.php?CategoryID=84] [http://ispck.org.in/title.asp?index=Classification&classid=1][http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2065/is_2_56/ai_n6172658][http://www.augustana.ca/international/india/2004.html][http://books.dreambook.com/fot/fot.html - 101k], ''also a past student.'' * Rev. Dr. Ch. Vasantha Rao [http://www.theologie.uni-hamburg.de/iat/zaw.html][http://www1.uni-hamburg.de/fb01AT/ug/pb_08Rao.html][http://www.kirchenkreis-eschwege.de/scripts/bilder/picture.php?id=106370&js=0][http://www.tcfnj.com/SilverJubilee.htm][http://www.tcfnj.com/conferencesschedules2004.htm] [http://egora.uni-muenster.de/fb2/thrv/Diss-Habil_2003-2004.pdf ][http://egora.uni-muenster.de/fb2/thrv/Diss-Habil_2003-2004.pdf][http://www.fbs.kirchenkreis-eschwege.de/scripts/news/563] [http://www.mergingcurrents.com/authors.php - 669k][http://www.kirchenkreis-eschwege.de/scripts/newsgrp/1?showall=1][http://dobc.unipv.it/SETH/miscellanea_4.htm] [http://www.arabulsun.com/?type=web&hl=tr&lr=&ie=UTF-8&as_qdr=all&q=related:www.im.gen.tr/] * Rev. T. Matthews Emmanuel, ''also a past student.'' '''[[New Testament]]''' * Rev. V. Manikya Rao (presently on study leave)[http://www.karmayog.org/nonmumprodis.asp?r=149&nonnpoproid=2660&state=Tamil%20Nadu&city=Chennai], ''also a past student''. ''An unknown intruder deleted Rev.Manikya Rao earlier''. * Rev. K. Suraj Kumar [http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/religion/IE/postgraduate/Postgraduate_seminar.html] '''[[Religion]]''' * Rev. Dr. T. Swami Raju [http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2005/01/28/stories/2005012819130300.htm], ''also a past student.'' * Rev. P. Alexander,[http://www.sorat.ukzn.ac.za/theology/inate/circular4.doc], [http://www.sorat.ukzn.ac.za/theology/inate/alexpaleti-rep.doc] ''also a past student.'' * Rev. S. Vijaya Kumari Joseph, [[Attwi members]]''also a past student'' '''Practical Theology''' * Rev. Dr. G. Sampoorna Rao [http://in.crossmap.com/education/][http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/841663.cms], ''also a past student.'' '''Social Analysis''' * Rev. B.W. David Raju * Rev. P. Praveen Prabhu Sudheer '''[[Homiletics]]''' * Rev. K. Reuben Mark[http://www.cbnindia.org/print.php?id=330][http://www.mellem-kirker.dk/index.php?overskr=1&underoverskr=1] * Rev. A. John Prabhakar (presently on study leave),[http://www.mergingcurrents.com/authors.php?StartsWith=P&AuthorID=4293][http://ispck.org.in/title.asp][http://ispck.org.in/title.asp?index=Classification&classid=1] [http://www.alltimebooks.com/shop/index.php?productID=69435] [http://www.tomfolio.com/bookdetailssu.asp?b=69435%20&m=918] ''also a past student''. ''Rev.Prabhakar's name was also deleted by unkonwn intruders''. '''[[History of Christianity]]''' * Rev. D.J. Jeremiah [http://www.indianchristianity.com/html/NewsDigest.htm], ''also a past student.'' ''Reference to the internet presence of Rev.Jeremiah was also deleted by unknown intruders''. * Rev. K.L. Richardson, [http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=1570&C=1483]''also a past student.'' '''[[Systematic Theology]]''' * Rev. Dr. B.J. Christie Kumar [http://www.mergingcurrents.com/authors.php?StartsWith=K&AuthorID=4190][http://www.mergingcurrents.com/authors.php?AuthorID=4190][http://www.cca.org.hk/resources/ctc/ctc05-01/content9.htm ][http://ispck.org.in/title.asp?index=Title&page=10] ''also a past student.'' '''Christian Ministry''' * Rev. C. Jeevaiah ===Administrative staff=== ''This section was also deleted by unidentified intruders'' '''Accounting''' * Sri Chitti Raju '''Secretarial''' * Smt. Mani * Smt. Sunitha * Smt. Vasantha '''Maintenance Staff Members''' * Sri Manikya Rao * Sri John * Sri Swamy * Sri Yellaiah * Smt. Saroja ==Library== The college has a well-equipped library including reading room facilities. It has more than 29,000 books on its racks. The present librarian is Rev. M.S. Vara Prasad, ''a past student.'' ==Past Teachers== ===Inland=== '''[[Old Testament]]''' Rev. Dr. P. [[Victor Premasagar]], Rev. G. Solomon, Rev. Saroja Moses Sangha, Rev. G. Babu Rao '''[[New Testament]]''' Rev. Dr. [[K. David]], Rev. Dr. S. Joseph[http://www.bgct.org/texasbaptists/Page.aspx?&pid=2116&srcid=2127], Rev. Dr. M. Victor Paul[http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis1.pdf] '''[[Religions]]''' Rev. M.N. Paul, Rev. K.D.G. Prakasa Rao '''Christian Ethics''' '''[[History of Christianity]]''' Rev. C. Yesupadam[http://archive.eci.gov.in/GE98/pollupd/pc/states/S01/Pcnstcand16.htm], Rev. Dr.B.C. Paul[http://www.drmartinus.de/bio/de/thesis1.pdf][http://www.stjamesgettysburg.org/Missionaries.html] '''[[Systematic Theology]]''' Rev. Dr. R. Yesurathnam [https://www.bagchee.com/qsearch.aspx?page=0&SerFld=Author&qsearch=true&page=0&SerTxt=Regu... ][https://vedamsbooks.com/no43936.htm][http://www.bagchee.com/BookDisplay.aspx?Bkid=B34680][http://www.dkpdindia.com/servlet/dispinfo?offset=0&searchtype=Author&text1=Regunta%20Yesurathnam][http://easternbookcorporation.com/moreinfo.php?txt_searchstring=10391][http://www.dkpd.com/servlet/dkNewRel?offset=20][http://www.bibliaimpex.com/cgi-bin/igindex.pl?Grouptheme=biblia&ProcessCode=searchindex&Category=Religio...][http://www.omsc.org/ib99.html][http://www.easternbookcorporation.com/category_view.php?category=Religion][http://www.booksformind.com/browse_author.php?id=19667 - 52k][http://www.doingit-right.com/index.asp?t=s&m=books&q=Relevant%20Books][http://biographybooksales.com/India-Witness.html] '''Pastoral Counselling''' Rev. P. Joseph ''Rev. P. Joseph's name was also deleted by unknown intruders''. '''Other subjects''' Rev. Ryder Devapriyam, Rev. R. Joseph[http://www.internationalministries.org/wmc/04_wmc/InternationalGuests.htm] ''Rev. R. Joseph's name was also deleted by unknown vandals'', Rev. Dr. R.R. Sundara Rao ''unknown vandals deleted Rev. Sundara Rao's name too'', Rev. G. Dyvasirvadam[http://www.indianchristianity.org/csi.html ][http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/who/gov-e.html][http://www.photooikoumene.org/photo.nsf/htmllist/A08045-04.html][http://www.indianchristianity.org/cca.html][http://www.christianaid.org.uk/news/features/0111dali.htm][http://www.oikoumene.org/INF_3_Sub-committees_of_C.770.0.html?&MP=655-1042 ][http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acc/meetings/acc12/participants.cfm][http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acc/meetings/acc12/resolutions.cfm][http://www.ems-online.org/index.php?id=116&backPID=8&tt_news=26][http://www.isyourjobgoingoffshore.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-326.html][http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/weblog/comments/delegates_at_the_3rd_encounter/ ][http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showtrustees.asp?Chy=232868&Reg=232868&Type=Mai... ][http://daga.dhs.org/daga/cca/ccanews/03-03.pdf][http://daga.dhs.org/daga/cca/ccanews/02-09.pdf][http://www.wheaton.edu/intr/Moreau/courses/532/biblio/dalit.htm][http://www.emw-d.de/de.root/de.archiv/de.archiv.meldungen/de.meldung.201/index.html][http://www.rca.org/synod/minutes/2000/journal.php][http://www.ems-online.org/index.php?id=116&backPID=116&begin_at=40&tt_news=26][http://www.giessener-anzeiger.de/voba/artikel1760144.html][http://www.mislinks.org/biblio/query.php?ps=480&search_for=&search_area=][http://www.photooikoumene.org/photo.nsf/By%20country?OpenPage&Start=28&Count=1000&Expand=63&Seq=4][http://www.blogigo.de/ANNEWS/200501][http://aco.org/acns/special/acc12/resolutions.html][http://www.dike.de/oberhessen/aktuell02/dyva.html][http://www.wcc-assembly.info/fileadmin/files/wccassembly/documents/harare_to_porto_alegre.pdf][http://www.wcc-assembly.info/fileadmin/files/wccassembly/documents/german/harare_to_poa_ge.pdf ][http://www.nccidalittaskforce.com/dalit-task-force/programs/empower.html][http://www.cms-uk.org/news/2005/four_regional_reports_15012005.htm] Rev. G.T. Abraham [http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/lambeth/lc053.html][http://www.csimkd.org/CSI_CNI_Marthoma.html][http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/14/stories/2004041406620300.htm][http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/30/stories/2005013005150300.htm][http://www.indianchristianity.org/csi.html] ===Overseas=== * Rev. Dr. W.D. Coleman [http://www.muhlenberg.edu/cultural/magazine/wn02/31.html] * Rev. Dr. Gordon Carder [http://crossman2.tripod.com/encyclopaediaollur/] * Rev. Dr. Scott Harris [http://www.stjohnelca.org/harris.html][http://cba.cua.edu/ch.cfm] * Rev. Dr. Tracy Gipson * Rev. Dr. David Lindberg [http://www.luthermemorialchicago.org/release.htm] * Rev. Dr. Louis Knoll [http://www.wfn.org/2004/03/msg00015.html] * Rev. Dr. Klaus Schäfer [http://ctbi.org.uk/index.php?op=modload&name=knowledge&file=kbasepage&LinkID=203] * Rev. Ray Waldock & Laverne [http://www.trentvalleyarchives.com/Data-1/Osborne%20Collection%20-1.pdf] ==See also== * [[Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia]], [[Talk:Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia]] * [[Gerhard von Rad]], [[Klaus Koch]], [[Victor Premasagar]] * Senate of [[Serampore College]] (University) * Rev. Dr. [[William Carey]], Rev. Dr. [[Joshua Marshman]], Rev. Dr. [[William Ward]] ---- * [[Doctor of Theology]], [[Master of Theology]], [[Bachelor of Divinity]], [[Bachelor of Theology]] ---- * Dr.[[Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy]], Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh * Super cop Noel [[Swaranjit sen]], Director-General of Police, Andhra Pradesh ==References== ;Notes