South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies

South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS)

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Established	1982
Founder	Dr. Graham Houghton
Religious affiliation	Wesleyan (Methodist)
Academic affiliations	Asia Theological Association Asbury Theological Seminary
Principal	Dr. Prabhu Singh
Location	Bengaluru , Karnataka , India

South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS pronounced sai + axe), is a Wesleyan-Methodist institute for progressive Christian studies in Bangalore, India. The motto of SAIACS is: "Excellence for service." SAIACS is known for its research and follows Christian feminist, progressive and postmodern theological viewpoints. SAIACS is also known for works like interpretations of Bible, theology and history from an Indian subaltern and Dalit perspective and promoting "New Perspective on Paul" movement in India. SAIACS also provides cohort based degree programs where students can earn a fully accredited degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. According to Asbury, SAIACS was founded with a vision very compatible with the Asbury’s 2023 Strategic Plan.

History

SAIACS was founded in 1982, by Graham Houghton, with fellow New Zealander, Bruce Nicholls. Initially, the college offered a two-year Master of Theology (MTh) programme in Missiology which was offered under the umbrella of the Association of Evangelical Theological Education in India (AETEI), in partnership with Madras Bible Seminary in Chennai (formerly, Madras). In the year 1983 the programme was moved permanently to Bangalore and sought and received accreditation from Asia Theological Association (ATA) under its own name.

Dr. Prabhu Singh, a native of Tamil Nadu who is a renowned Indian anthropologist with a Ph.D. from Asbury Theological Seminary is the current principal of SAIACS. He took over the mandate of leadership from foreign leaders and reorganised the institution to reflect the ethos of the mainline Protestant churches in India. Under his leadership SAIACS received highest donation in its history and was able to purchase lands for extension of the campus.

Since its beginning, SAIACS has grown to offer various degrees within several specialisations accommodating more than 100 students on campus each year. SAIACS has one of the largest theological library in India with thousands of volumes. SAIACS is now a largely residential research institute and offers postgraduate degree programmes for an MA, M.Div., M.Th., Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), Doctor of Missiology (DMiss) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Currently there are four departmental specialisations being offered at SAIACS; namely, Biblical Studies (New Testament and Old Testament), Missiology, Practical Theology and Study of Religions.

Leadership

The first principal of SAIACS was Graham Houghton. In 2004, Ashish Chrispal took over as principal. He was followed by F. Hrangkhuma as Principal from 2006-2008, Dr. Ian Payne, from 2008-2018.

The current principal is Dr. Prabhu Singh, a native of Tamil Nadu and a renowned Tamil itinerant preacher and anthropologist who got his Ph.D. from the Asbury Theological Seminary, USA. After completing his studies at Asbury, Dr. Prabhu Singh had many opportunities to work in the USA instead he sacrificially chose to go to Bangalore and apply for teaching opportunities at SAIACS even though he had not heard about SAIACS until he applied. The current academic dean is Rev. John Daniel who is also from Tamil Nadu. John Daniel got his Ph.D. from SAIACS under ATA, and his thesis was on the Transnationalism in the Sri Lankan Tamil Churches of Greater London.

At the time of COVID-19, Dr. Prabhu Singh was instrumental in giving exemplary leadership to the institution. Never before in the history of SAIACS there was a situation as severe as this but Dr. Prabhu Singh ensured that SAIACS did not lack in funds and support. He ensured that the faculty did not take a paycut. At a time when seminaries were closing down SAIACS continued to thrive under his leadership. Classes were held online with the help of top notch online platform. New faculties who shared in the vision of SAIACS was hired. Under his leadership SAIACS had for the first time all Indian permanent faculty. He brought in largest ever donation in the history of SAIACS.

Dr. Prabhu Singh's encouragement and support enabled tenured faculties to publish books, articles and research materials through SAIACS Press and other renowned academic publishers. He took initiative in revamping and beautifying the campus with lawns and gardens and also expanded buildings in order to cater to larger student body. He introduced smart classrooms in SAIACS and also modernised the chapel and dinning facilities.

Under Dr. Prabhu Singh's initiative SAIACS purchased a land and constructed a research center at Mysore so that SAIACS can work closely with Mysore University. Dr. Prabhu Singh also took initiative in buying few acres of land for SAIACS near Doddaballapur on the outskirts of Bangalore to enable the expansion of SAIACS as a world class institution.

Dr. Prabhu Singh also serves as a board of trustee of Asbury Theological Seminary and was instrumental in making SAIACS compatible with Asbury 2023 strategic plan. During the 100 year celebration of Asbury Theological Seminary, the provost of Asbury remarked to Dr. Prabhu Singh that SAIACS is one of the leading theological institution in the world.

Location

SAIACS main campus is located in Kothanur, North Bangalore, in the state Karnataka, in India. Its Mysore campus is located in 1st Phase, Kuvempunagar, Mysuru, in the state Karnataka, in India.

Accreditation and Partnership

SAIACS degrees are accredited by Asia Theological Association.

In June 1997, SAIACS was recognized by the University of Mysore as an accredited research institution of the university where students can enroll for a Ph.D. program under University of Mysore.

In June 2011, it marked the coming together of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) and SAIACS, with the establishing of the RZIM Chair of Apologetics at SAIACS.

In June 2011, the University of Mysore further recognized SAIACS as a Centre for Specialized Studies to offer MA in Theology where students can graduate with MA degree from the University of Mysore after writing Mysore University examination.

Similarly, in June 2012, the MPhil programme, which is identical to the MTh programme, was recognised by the University of Mysore.

In June 2013, Asbury Theological Seminary (Kentucky/Florida, US) seminary signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SAIACS to "facilitate greater partnership between the two institutions. The partnership involves students and faculty exchange, resources sharing and joint classroom interaction."

In June 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed Asbury Theological Seminary to offer the Doctor of Ministry degree, focusing on leadership in ministry where students can graduate with a D.Min. from Asbury Seminary.

In August 2022, SAIACS launched SAIACS Alliance of Theological Schools to Advance Networking Globally (SATSANG), a network of theological institutions that has potential to grow and excel to partner with SAIACS so that they will benefit from the resources and support that SAIACS provides, enabling them to grow.

Academic programs

SAIACS offers residential degree programs under Asbury Seminary and Asia Theological Association for

• Masters of Arts in Christianity (MA),
• Master of Divinity (M.Div),
• Master of Theology (M.Th.),
• Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss.),
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.),
• and a non-residential Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.).

The residency requirement for the M.A. and the M.Th. programs is two academic years. This period may be extended where equivalency course requirements are added to a student's M.Th. program. Doctoral programs involve longer periods.

The online program at SAIACS has the same level of academic intensity as the residency program except that the students listen to pre-recorded lectures and can extend the program with flexible time frame. Each module in the online programs has the same home works, group assignments, discussion, research papers and evaluation as the modules in residency program in addition to personal faculty interaction and office hours via online portal.

Theological Distinctives

SAIACS follows Wesleyan-Methodist tradition. It is progressive in its theological outlook. It endorses Christian feminism, Progressive Christianity and Postmodern theology. SAIACS interprets the Bible, theology and history from an Indian subaltern and Dalit perspective. It is renowned for contextualizing theology in South Asian context.

SAIACS has a vibrant Spiritual Formation module that runs throughout the year in form of chapel, conferences, prayer day, cell group, mentoring etc. Eminent Christian speakers from mainline churches are invited to speak at these events. SAIACS is also closely associated with CSI Kothannur church where most of its faculties and students attend. The pastor of CSI Kothannur church also occasionally preach at the chapel.

Faculty

SAIACS has faculty members from different parts of India with various backgrounds. The tenured faculty members are either alumni of SAIACS or graduates of Union Biblical Seminary, the largest Wesleyan Holiness seminary in India and adhere to the Wesleyan doctrine. Apart from regular faculty, academically outstanding SAIACS graduates are enrolled for 'Faculty in Training' program.

SAIACS FACULTY

Department	Name	Domicile / Native	Denomination	Education
Intercultural Studies	Prabhu Singh (Principal)	Tamil Nadu	CSI	Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky, USA Th.M. in Evangelism, Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky, USA M.A. in Linguistics, Madurai Kamaraj University B.A. in English Literature, St. John’s College, Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu
Intercultural Studies	G. John Daniel (Academic Dean)	Tamil Nadu	CSI	Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies, SAIACS M.Th. in Old Testament, SAIACS M.Div., Southern Asia Bible College B.Com., Bharathidasan University
Management Studies	Vijay Paulson	Tamil Nadu	Methodist	FIII, Fellow of the Insurance Institutes of India AIII, Associate of the Insurance Institutes of India M.A. (Hons.) Christian Studies, SAIACS MBA M.Com, Loyola College, Chennai, University of Madras B. Com, Loyola College, Chennai, University of Madras
Biblical Studies (OT)	Havilah Dharamraj	Andhra Pradesh / Karnataka	Nondenominational	Ph.D. in Old Testament, University of Durham, UK M.A. in Christian Studies, SAIACS M.Sc. in Biochemistry, Bangalore University
Biblical Studies (OT)	Prince Kumar Tamilarasan	Tamil Nadu	Charismatic	Ph.D. in Old Testament, University of Mysore M.Th. in Old Testament, SAIACS M.Div. in Old Testament, SAIACS M.Phil. in English literature, Annamalai University
Biblical Studies (NT)	Roji Thomas George	North India / Kerala	Charismatic	D.Th. in New Testament, FFRRC, Senate of Serampore College (University) M.Th. in New Testament, Union Biblical Seminary B.D., Union Biblical Seminary M.A. in Sociology, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University B.A. in History and Sociology, IGNOU
Biblical Studies (NT)	Asish Thomas Koshy	Tamil Nadu / Kerala	Mar Thoma	D.Th. in New Testament, Senate of Serampore College (University) M.Th. in New Testament, United Theological College, Bangalore B.D., Union Biblical Seminary M.A., Loyola College, Chennai, University of Madras
Biblical Studies (NT)	Karishma Paul	Andhra Pradesh	Presbyterian	Ph.D. Candidate, SAIACS M.Th. in New Testament, SAIACS M.Div., SAIACS B.A., St. Joseph's College for Women, Vizag
Theology and History	Varughese John	Karnataka / Kerala	STECI	Ph.D. in Kierkegaard Studies, Madras Christian College, University of Madras M.A. in Philosophy, Bangalore University B.D., Union Biblical Seminary B.Sc., St. Joseph's College, Bangalore, Bangalore University
Theology and History	David Muthukumar	Tamil Nadu	CNI	Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA M.Th., Union Biblical Seminary B.D., Union Biblical Seminary B.Sc. Computer Science, Bharathiar University
Theology and History	Stavan Narendra John	Andhra Pradesh	Methodist	Ph.D. in Theology, Middlesex University M.Th., in Theology, SAIACS M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary
Theology and History	Amritraj Joshua Paul	Kerala	CSI	D.Th. in Theology, FFRRC, Senate of Serampore College (University) M.Th., FFRRC, Senate of Serampore College (University) B.D., Union Biblical Seminary B.Com., University of Calicut
Pastoral Theology and Counselling	Varghese Thomas	Kerala	Nondenominational	Ph.D. in Educational Studies, Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL, USA M.Th. in Pastoral Theology and Counselling, SAIACS B.D., Senate of Serampore College (University) B.A. in Theology, Senate of Serampore College (University)
Pastoral Theology and Counselling	Jacob Joseph	Kerala	Charismatic	Doctor of Ministry (Christian Worship Studies), Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, USA Masters in Church Music, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, USA B.D., Union Biblical Seminary B.A., Mahatma Gandhi University
Pastoral Theology and Counselling	Salome Namrata Simeon	Tamil Nadu	Presbyterian	Ph.D. Candidate, Christ University M.Phil. in Psychology, Christ University M.Sc. in Counselling Psychology University of Madras M.A. in Theological Studies, SAIACS B.Sc. in Psychology, Women’s Christian College, University of Madras
Pastoral Theology and Counselling	Joshua George	Maharashtra	Charismatic	Ph.D. Candidate, Malyon College M.Th. in Pastoral Theology and Counselling, SAIACS M.Div. in Pastoral Theology and Counselling, SAIACS B.Sc. Life Sciences and Biochemistry, St. Xaviers College, University of Mumbai
Library	Yesan Sellan	Tamil Nadu	CSI	Ph.D., Bharathidasan University PG Diploma in Library Automation and Networking (PGDLAN), University of Hyderabad M.LiSc., Bharathidasan University Bachelor of Christian Studies, Senate of Serampore College (University) B.Com., Bharathidasan University

Students

Most students to SAIACS are sent by their supporting church or organisation and are already under appointment to continue their service upon completion of their studies at SAIACS. Most of the students have served as ordained ministers, theological teachers or Christian workers in churches in Asia. While the majority of the students are from Tamil Nadu, SAIACS also had students from other Indian states and countries like Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, China, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, and USA.

Board Members

SAIACS Trust oversees the functioning of SAIACS. All the board members of SAIACS Trust are from mainline Protestant churches in India: Methodist, CSI and CNI and as such reflects the ethos of SAIACS. Following are the board members of SAIACS Trust.

• Mr. Davis Moses (Chairperson), Architect at Davis Design Group, Bangalore
• Mr. David G Samuel, Director at TAFTEE, Bangalore
• Ms. Stella Bogi, Professor in Hyderabad
• Mr. Vikram K Tirkey, Medical Director at St Barnabas Hospital, Ranchi
• Mr. Huzo Meru, President of Shalom Bible Seminary, Kohima
• Ms. Tehmina Arora, Advocate at Alliance Defending Freedom International, New Delhi
• Ms. Vinita Eusebius, Principal of Girls High School and College, Prayaraj
• Ms. Roopamala Koneri, Principal of United International Degree College, Bangalore

SAIACS Press

SAIACS Press is the publishing arm of SAIACS, and it aims to publish research that challenge the church in South Asia. Most of its publications are written or revised for India. There are primarily two types of publications; the Dome Series and the Spire Series. The Dome Series publications are scholarly works. Spire Series books are more popular guides to Christian thought and living.

SAIACS CEO Centre

In 2005, the Continuing Education Opportunities Centre (or CEO Centre) was started at SAIACS with the aim to generate scholarships for deserving SAIACS students. The CEO Centre is a premium conference centre and management training site, built right next to SAIACS.

External links

• Official Site of SAIACS
• Publications of SAIACS