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Dharmakkan Dhanaraj

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The Reverend Doctor
D. Dhanaraj, CSI[5]
Dr. Phil. (Osnabrück)[6]
Born
Dharmakkan Dhanaraj

18 December[5] 1950[7]
Tamil Nadu, India
Died16 October 2017(2017-10-16) (aged 66)[8]
Mangalore (Karnataka), buried in CSI-Gorigudda Cemetery, Mangalore.
NationalityIndian
Other namesDhanaraj Ayyagaru
CitizenshipIndia
Education
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Pastor and Teacher
Years active1974-2015
ReligionChristianity
ChurchChurch of South India
(A Uniting church comprising Wesleyan Methodist, Congregational, Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican missionary societies – SPG, WMMS, LMS, Basel Mission, CMS, and the Church of England)
Writings
  • 1977, Towards a fruitful living,[1]
  • 1978, The relationship of man to God as expressed in the piety of selected Psalms,[2]
  • 1992, Theological significance of the motif of enemies in selected psalms of individual lament,
  • 2007, Structural Approach to Psalm Exegesis: Psalm 8 and 54 as Examples,[3]
  • 2008, A Survey of the History of Old Testament Theology[4]
Congregations served
Pollibetta and Kushalanagar
Offices held
TitleThe Reverend Doctor

Dharmakkan Dhanaraj (18 December 1950[5][7]– 16 October 2017)[8] was an Indian Old Testament scholar who taught at the Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore, a seminary established in 1965[13] and affiliated to the nation's first[14] university, the Senate of Serampore College (University).

After serving more than 40 years for the cause of spiritual formation and the teaching of German language studies, through the Karnataka Theological College and the Moegling Institute for German Language, both in Mangalore, Dhanaraj died on Monday, 16 October 2017[8] in Mangalore[8] after a brief illness and his funeral mass was conducted at 16:00 hours[8] on Tuesday, 17 October 2017, by Bishop emeritus John Sadananda, CSI, at the CSI-Shanthi Cathedral,[8] Balmatta, Mangalore in the presence of Sydney Salins, CSI, H. R. Cabral, CSI, Annie Watson, CSI, F. Anilkumar, CSI, Bishop emeritus C. L. Furtado, CSI, D. R. Sadananda, CSI and Mohan Manoraj, CSI, the present CSI Bishop - in - Mangalore. Dhanaraj's demise comes close on the heels of the notable Old Testament Scholar, Bishop emeritus Samuel Amirtham, CSI, who departed during the last week of September 2017.

Contribution

[edit]

As a Scholar on Psalms, Dhanaraj's work[12] was published in 1992[12] and simultaneously reviewed in three German journals, namely the Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft (1994),[15] the Verkündigung und Forschung [de] (1995)[16] and the Theologische Literaturzeitung [de] (1995)[17] followed by The Catholic Biblical Quarterly (1996)[18] and has also been listed in three of the annual editions of Elenchus of Biblica (Volumes 8, 10, 12 of 1992, 1994, 1996).[19] Ellen T. Charry observes that Dhanaraj divided Psalm 3 into three segments depending on point of view taken by the speaker,[20] a fact reiterated by John J. Ahn.[21] Further, Dhanaraj's research work has been held in nearly 75[22] library holdings ranging from Seminaries to state universities[22] and National libraries[22] across[22] Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America and has been referred by many Scholars over the years' including his Doktorvater,

  • 1989 (Eckart Otto [de]), Rechtsgeschichte der Redaktionen im Kodex Ešnunna und im "Bundesbuch": Eine redaktionsgeschichtliche und rechtsvergleichende Studie zu altbabylonischen und altisraelitischen Rechtsuberlieferungen,[23]
  • 1989 (Edited by G. Johannes Botterweck, Helmer Ringgren, Heinz-Josef Fabry), Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, Volume 12,[24]
  • 1998 (Ulrich Bail), Gegen das Schweigen klagen. Eine intertextuelle Studie zu Psalm 6, Psalm 55 und 2 Samuel 13,1-22,[25]
  • 2005 (Daniel J. Estes), Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms,[26]
  • 2011 (John J. Ahn), Exile as Forced Migrations: A Sociological, Literary, and Theological approach on the displacement and resettlement of the southern kingdom of Judah,[21]
  • 2012 (Wilton Gerardo Sánchez Castelblanco), Que les caigan brasas de fuego (Sal 140,11) - Comentario exegético del salmo 140 (Let burning flames come down on them (Psalm 140,11) - Exegetical commentary of Psalm 140),[27]
  • 2013 (D. Keith Campbell), Of Heroes and Villains: The Influence of the Psalmic Lament on Synoptic Characterization,[28]
  • 2014 (W. Dennis Tucker Jr.), Constructing and Deconstructing Power in Psalms 107–150,[29]
  • 2015 (Ellen T. Charry), Psalms 1-50 (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible),[20]

General and spiritual studies

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After initial graduate studies at the CSI-American College in Madurai, Tamil Nadu where Dhanaraj pursued studies in sciences leading to B.Sc.[9] in 1969, he discerned his avocation towards priesthood and became an aspirant with the Madurai-Ramnad Diocese of the Church of South India, then under the bishopric of The Right Reverend George Devadas, CSI who became his Spiritual Confessor and led Dhanaraj to take up seminary studies leading to Priesthood.

Spiritual studies

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Dhanaraj then underwent ministerial formation at the United Theological College, Bangalore between 1970 and 1974[10] during the Principalship of J. R. Chandran, CSI, studying for a Bachelor of Divinity (B. D.) under faculty comprising The Rev. G. D. Melanchthon, AELC, W. P. Peery, AELC, E. C. John, CSI and others.

During Dhanaraj's study period between 1970 and 1974, his companions included D. I. Hans, CSI, P. J. Lawrence, CSI, J. W. Gladstone, CSI, Sydney Salins, CSI, John Sadananda, CSI, P. Surya Prakash, CSI and others who were pursuing graduate courses while R. Yesurathnam, CSI, D. W. Jesudoss, TELC, G. Babu Rao, CBCNC,[10] Basil ReberaLaity, D. S. Satyaranjan, IPC, Nitoy Achümi, NBCC, Timotheas Hembrom, NELC, S. John Theodore, CSI and others[10] were pursuing postgraduate courses at varying intervals including G. Solomon, STBC who came there for a specialized course in Biblical Hebrew.

In the ensuing convocation of the Senate of Serampore College (University) held on February 1, 1975[30] at the Serampore College, Serampore under the Registrarship of C. Devasahayam, CBCNC, Dhanaraj was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity degree where the Convocation Commemoration Mass in Serampore was conducted by the Old Testament Teacher[31] G. Babu Rao, CBCNC[30] of Serampore College[32] at the CNI-St. Olave's Church, Serampore.

Advanced spiritual studies

[edit]

Again from 1976 to 1978, Dhanaraj studied for a postgraduate course during the Principalship of J. R. Chandran, CSI specialising in Old Testament under E. C. John, CSI, G. M. Butterworth, CoE[10] and Gerhard Wehmeier, EKD[10] and submitted a dissertation entitled The relationship of man to God as expressed in the piety of selected Psalms[2] and was awarded a Master of Theology (M. Th.) degree by the university under the Registrarship of D. S. Satyaranjan, IPC who had by that time become Registrar of the university succeeding J. T. Krogh, NELC. The 1979[33] convocation of the university was held at Secunderabad in February[33] at the Andhra Christian Theological College led by the Old Testament Scholars, Victor Premasagar, CSI and G. Babu Rao, CBCNC[34] who had by that time moved from Serampore to Secunderabad and again conducted the Convocation Commemoration Mass at the St. Gregorious Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral in the neighbourhood[35] of the college.[36]

During Dhanaraj's second period of studies at Bangalore between 1976 and 1978, his graduate companions included S. W. Meshack, IELC, M. Mani Chacko, CSI, K. David Udayakumar, SALC and others.[10]

Research studies

[edit]
The University of Hamburg where Dhanaraj began his research studies in 1979.

After a period of German language studies at the Goethe Institute, Pune during the final years of the 1970s, Dhanaraj moved to Germany enrolling as a student for the period 1980-1985 and began researching at the University of Hamburg under Prof. Klaus Koch and Prof. Eckart Otto [de][17] entitling his dissertation as Theological significance of the motif of enemies in selected psalms of individual lament. Dhanaraj's other companions at the University of Hamburg included Godwin Shiri, CSI[37] J. W. Gladstone, CSI[37] Ofosu Adutwum, PCG[37] and also G. Babu Rao, CBCNC[11] who went there on a 2½ years[11] research exposure to the university.

University of Osnabrück in Lower Saxony which awarded the doctoral degree to Dhanaraj in 1988.

Dhanaraj later transferred himself to the University of Osnabrück[12] in 1986 as his guide, Prof. Eckart Otto [de] had moved out from the University of Hamburg to join the University of Osnabrück[17] and Dhanaraj continued his research there under Prof. Eckart Otto [de][17][12] and was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy[7] in the year 1988[6] by the University of Osnabrück and a couple of years later, his thesis was published in 1992[12] by J. J. Augustin [de] based in Glückstadt, Germany.

Ecclesiastical ministry

[edit]

Pastoral

[edit]

After completion of seminary studies by 1974[10] at the Protestant Regional Theologiate United Theological College in Bangalore, Dhanaraj expressed interest to begin pastoral work in Karnataka and sought transfer from the Madurai-Ramnad Diocese (headquartered in Madurai under the bishopric of The Right Reverend George Devadas, CSI) to the Karnataka Southern Diocese (headquartered in Mangalore under the bishopric of The Right Reverend S. R. Furtado, CSI) for which the process of Incardination and excardination was put in place leading to his excardination from the CSI Madurai-Ramnad Diocese and subsequent incardination into the CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese.

Dhanaraj then began pastoring parishes falling under the ecclesiastical purview of the Karnataka Southern Diocese of the Church of South India beginning with the Christ Church, Pollibetta,[38] and to the Maddock Memorial Church, Kushalanagar,[39] both falling under the civil jurisdiction of Kodagu district in south west Karnataka.

Seminary

[edit]
Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore where Dhanaraj taught for more than three decades.

Dhanaraj moved to Mangalore in 1978 after completing his postgraduate studies in Old Testament at the Protestant Regional Theologiate in Bangalore and began teaching at the Karnataka Theological College along with C. D. Jathanna, CSI and also John Sadananda, CSI. After two years' of teaching, Dhanaraj proceeded on a 5-year study leave for research studies to Germany in 1980 and returned in 1986 to resume teaching of the Old Testament, Hebrew language and Aramaic language to ministerial candidates studying for Bachelor of Divinity course offered through the Senate of Serampore College (University).[9] In 2003, Dhanaraj went on sabbatical leave to the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and taught courses during spring semester.

German language teaching

[edit]

With Dhanaraj's expertise in the German language, the Moegling Institute for German Language[40] (permanently affiliated[41] to the University of Mangalore),[42] the only[43] German language institute in Mangalore set up within the premises of the Karnataka Theological College took Dhanaraj as one of its faculty members after his return from Germany in 1983 and after nearly a decade of teaching, Dhanaraj became Principal[41] of the institute in 1992.[42] The institute has been notable for admitting students with basic school certificate[44] and metamorphose students into basic German language speakers within a year and also award them a proper UGC recognised certificate[41] from the Mangalore University.[45]

Mangalore University Syndicate Member

[edit]

In 2004, when the University of Mangalore Syndicate was reconstituted during the term of Vice Chancellor B. Hanumaiah, the university included Dhanaraj as a representative of the Moegling Institute of German Language in the newly reconstituted 22-member highest body of the university.[46]

Academic offices
Preceded by
C. D. Jathanna, CSI
1961 - 1983,
John Sadananda, CSI
1974 - 2009
 Teacher - in - Old Testament,
Karnataka Theological College,
Mangalore
1978-2015 		Succeeded by
K. Sagar Sundar Raj, CSI[47]
2012-Present
Preceded by
F. S FurtadoLaity[42]
1979 - 1992
 Principal,[42]
Moegling Institute of German Language,[41]
Mangalore
1992 - 2015 		Succeeded by

References

[edit]
  1. ^ D. Dhanaraj, Towards a fruitful living in United Theological College Magazine 1977, Volume XLIV, 1977, pp.48-51 available at the Archives in the library of Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore.
  2. ^ a b D. Dhanaraj, The relationship of man to God as expressed in the piety of selected Psalms in Thesis Titles, Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College, Bangalore, 1991, p.2.
  3. ^ D. Dhanaraj, Structural Approach to Psalm Exegesis: Psalm 8 and 54 as Examples, BiBh 33/2, 2007, pp.18–35. Cited in Bibliography of Psalms and the Psalter In Conjunction with the History of Interpretation and Application of Psalms (since 1990), 2016, p.26. [1]
  4. ^ D. Dhanaraj, A Survey of the History of Old Testament Theology in C. I. David Joy (Edited), Biblical Theology: A Reader, CSS, Tiruvalla, 2008, pp.15-27.[2]
  5. ^ a b c d Church of South India Synod, Karnataka Southern Diocese Clergy. [3] Archived 14 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b c University of Osnabrück Promotions 1988.[4] Archived 25 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ a b c Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), Deutscher Germanistenverband [5]
  8. ^ a b c d e f Daijiworld Media Network, Mangalore, Tuesday, October 17, 2017. Mangalore: Rev. D. Dhanaraj, CSI (67), Balmatta, Mangaluru. [6]
  9. ^ a b c d e Senate of Serampore College (University), Directory of Teaching Staff. [7]
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), Directory of the United Theological College 1910-1997, Bangalore, 1997. Past students of the college diploma course, p.44; Past students of the postgraduate course, p.112.
  11. ^ a b c Minutes of the meeting of the executive board of the academy mission at the University of Hamburg (Protokoll der sitzung des vorstandes der missionsakademie an der University of Hamburg) 6 April 1983
  12. ^ a b c d e f D. Dhanaraj, Theological significance of the motif of enemies in selected psalms of individual lament, Augustin, Gluckstadt, 1992. [8]
  13. ^ Vijaya Kumar, Ecumenical Cooperation of the Missions in Karnataka (India), 1834-1989: A Historical Analysis of the Evangelistic Strategy of the Missions, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2005, p.132. [9]
  14. ^ UNESCO Structures of University Education in India, 1952
  15. ^ de:Jürgen van Oorschot, Reviewed Work: Theological Significance of the Motif of Enemies in Selected Psalms of Individual Lament in Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, Volume 106, Issue 1, 1994, p.153.[10]
  16. ^ H. H. Schmid, "Reviewed Work: Theological Significance of the Motif of Enemies in Selected Psalms of Individual Lament" in de:Verkündigung und Forschung, Volume 40, Issue 1, 1995, pp.29, 43.[11]
  17. ^ a b c d Erhard S. Gerstenberger, Reviewed Work: Theological Significance of the Motif of Enemies in Selected Psalms of Individual Lament in de:Theologische Literaturzeitung, Volume 120, Issue 9, 1995, pp.779-781.[12]
  18. ^ The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Reviewed Work: Theological Significance of the Motif of Enemies in Selected Psalms of Individual Lament (Orientalia biblica et christiana 4) by Dharmakkan Dhanaraj, Review by: Mark S. Smith, Vol. 58, No. 2 (April 1996), pp. 308-310.[13]
  19. ^ Elenchus of Biblica 1992, Volume 8, 1995, p.276. [14]Elenchus of Biblica 1994, Volume 10, 1997, p.229. [15];Elenchus of Biblica 1996, Volume 12, 2000, p.156.[16]
  20. ^ a b Ellen T. Charry, Psalms 1-50 (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible), Brazos, Grand Rapids, 2015. [17]; Unser Gästebuch - Gästebucheintrag erstellen - Welche persönliche Beziehung haben Sie zur Basler Mission? [18]
  21. ^ a b John J. Ahn, Exile as Forced Migrations: A Sociological, Literary, and Theological approach on the displacement and resettlement of the southern kingdom of Judah, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 2011, p.102. [19]
  22. ^ a b c d WorldCat. [20]
  23. ^ (de:Eckart Otto), Rechtsgeschichte der Redaktionen im Kodex Ešnunna und im "Bundesbuch": Eine redaktionsgeschichtliche und rechtsvergleichende Studie zu altbabylonischen und altisraelitischen Rechtsuberlieferungen, Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis 85, Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht, Göttingen/University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 1989, p.78.[21]
  24. ^ Hebrew: צִיּוֹן‎‎ Tsiyyon in G. Johannes Botterweck, Helmer Ringgren, Heinz-Josef Fabry (Edited), Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, Volume 12, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1989, p.335.[22]
  25. ^ Ulrich Bail, Gegen das Schweigen klagen. Eine intertextuelle Studie zu Psalm 6, Psalm 55 und 2 Samuel 13,1-22, University of Bochum, Bochum, 1998.[23].
  26. ^ Daniel J. Estes, Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, p.30.[24]
  27. ^ Wilton Gerardo Sánchez Castelblanco, Que les caigan brasas de fuego (Sal 140,11) - Comentario exegético del salmo 140 (Let burning flames come down on them (Psalm 140,11) - Exegetical commentary of Psalm 140) in Franciscanum, Volume 54, Issue 158, July–December 2012. [25]
  28. ^ D. Keith Campbell, Of Heroes and Villains: The Influence of the Psalmic Lament on Synoptic Characterization, Wipf and Stock, Oregon, 2013, p.185.[26]
  29. ^ W. Dennis Tucker, Jr., Constructing and Deconstructing Power in Psalms 107–150, SBL, Atlanta, 2015, p.13. [27]
  30. ^ a b Convocation Brochure, February 1, 1975 Serampore College, Serampore.
  31. ^ Guide to Indian Periodical Literature, Volume 23, 1989, p.57
  32. ^ The Story of Serampore and its College, Council of Serampore College, Serampore (Fourth Edition), 2005, p.92.
  33. ^ a b Religion and Society, Volume 26, Issue 2, Bangalore, 1979, p.77
  34. ^ G. Babu Rao, Content Analysis of Theological Syllabi – Old Testament in Religion and Society, Bangalore, 1985. [28]
  35. ^ St. Gregorious Malankara Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad. [29]
  36. ^ Convocation brochure of the University, 1979, Secunderabad
  37. ^ a b c Johann Anselm Steiger (Edited), 500 Jahre Theologie in Hamburg: Hamburg als Zentrum christlicher Theologie und Kultur zwischen Tradition und Zukunft, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 2005, pp.451, 453.[30]
  38. ^ The United Theological College Year Book 1975, Change of addresses of past students, 1975, p.32, available at the Archives in the library of Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore.
  39. ^ The United Theological College Year Book 1976, Change of addresses of past students, 1976, p.38, available at the Archives in the library of Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore.
  40. ^ K. R. Gupta (Compiled), Directory of Libraries in India, Volume 1, Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi, 2001, p.265.[31]
  41. ^ a b c d Universities Handbook 1997, Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, 1997, p.619.[32]
  42. ^ a b c d e Moegling Institute of German Language.[33]
  43. ^ Satshya Anna Tharien, For internet youth, there's nothing alien about foreign languages, The Hindu, Mangalore, 27.5.2013. [34]
  44. ^ Vinobha K. T., Mangalore varsity offers German course, Times of India, Mangalore, 26.5.2011. [35]
  45. ^ Staff Correspondent, German institute celebrates silver jubilee, The Hindu, 29.9.2004. [36][dead link]
  46. ^ Raviprasad Kamila, Varsity reconstitutes Syndicate, Academic Council, The Hindu, Mangalore, 5.10.2004.[37][dead link]
  47. ^ Daijiworld Media Network, Mangalore, Wednesday, July 04, 2012. Mangalore: City Crime Branch Inspector to be Honoured on KACES Day. [38]; Unser Gästebuch Gästebucheintrag erstellen - Welche persönliche Beziehung haben Sie zur Basler Mission? [39]
    2012-Present

Further reading

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