Towards an Integral Spirituality (Festschrift in Honour of Bishop Dr. D. Sundar Singh's 75th Birthday)

The writings in the book "Towards an Integral Spirituality" have addressed a wide range of relevant biblical, theological, historical-missiological, religious and ministerial issues in relation to integral spirituality in the postmodern context of India. These interdisciplinary reflections on various issues will also provide alternatives in the understanding of spirituality as an experience of God in one's encounter with the marginalized and the exploited and in one's ordinary activities of daily life. Bishop Sundar Singh as a Wesleyan scholar, understands spirituality in a scholarly as well as in a pietistic manner; and develops his theology of prayer, rootedness in Christ, the mind of Christ, Christian fruitfulness, repentance, forgiveness, inclusivity, soul winning, shepherding and caring. Therefore, this book is an exploration towards an integral spirituality for the pastoral theology, missionary practices and the contemporary theological challenges.

Rev. Dr. Samuel Jayakumar, Ph.D., is currently Director of Evangelical Theological Academy. He is the author of Dalit Consciousness and Christian Conversion; Mission Reader; and Renewal of Mission. He had co-edited Mission Mandate II; and Christian Contribution to Nation Building. He had contributed articles to academic Journals such as Transformation; Indian Church History Review; Religion and Society and Evangelical Review of Theology. He is a Langham Scholar.

Rev. Dr. J. A. David Onesimu serves as the Principal of the Madras Theological Seminary and College and is a Senior Pastor at Evangelical Church of India, Nerkundram, Chennai. He did his Th.M. in Mission Theology from Seoul Theological University, S. Korea; M.Th. in Christian Theology under Senate of Serampore College (University); and Ph.D. from Asia United Theological University-ACTS, S. Korea. He also holds a Diploma in Korean Language from Yonsei University, Seoul, S. Korea. He was awarded Doctor of Theology (Honoris Causa) by Kernal University, USA. He was ordained in 1986 by Korean Evangelical Holiness Church, S. Korea.

The Madras Theological Seminary and College (MTSC) is prayerfully bringing out a Festschrift in recognition and appreciation of Bishop Dr. D. Sundar Singh's long, dedicated services to the MTSC, (formerly known as Madras Bible Seminary, MBS) as the Principal and Evangelical Church of India as its Bishop-President, as he has completed his 75th year on the June 13, 2018. Bishop Sundar Singh was born on June 13, 1943 at Valliammal Puram, Valliur, Tirunelveli District to the parents, Mr. K. Devavaram, and Mrs Rattinammal. His parents were influenced by the teachings of the Indian Missionary Sadhu: Sundar Singh, so they named their son as 'Sundar Singh'.

Bishop Sundar Singh joined Madras Bible Seminary for his theological training in the year of 1962; and in the same year, Bishop Ezra Sargunam joined the seminary as the first national teacher. When Bishop Sundar was 29, in 1972 he got married to Ms. Jayarani who was a great support to the Bishop. With her support, Bishop Sundar carried out his responsibilities successfully. It is told that, she always encourages him through her prayers and Bible verses, and helps him to be bold enough to do his ministry in all the circumstances. They are blessed with three sons, namely Prince Theodore Sundar, Charles Cowman Sundar, and Duraisingh Sundar. All of them are got married and blessed with children.

He studied BD at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Chennai; while he was studying there, he taught New Testament subjects to the Seminary Then he studied M.Th in the year 1975 at the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Illinois, USA. There he was considered as a model student among the American students for the completion of assignments and other academic works. His M.Th thesis was on "The Speeches of Paul in Acts: A Study in Adaptation to Audience and Occasion in Acts 13, 17 and 20" which was submitted on June 1976.

I thank and praise God for the life and ministry of Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Sundar Singh whose contribution to the Body of Christ through his dynamic Leadership in both the Evangelical Church of India and the Madras Theological Seminary and College, so commendable.

It was in the nineties when I was in Hindustan Bible Institute & College as the principal, I came in the contact with Dr. Sundar Singh contemporary principal from whom I drew much strength how to build theological students as leaders in planting the churches in the extension of God's Kingdom. It was so amazing that the Lord enabled to meet him in South Africa where we attended a Global Mission Conference as Principals representing two theological instructions. God ordained that we stayed for that one week together which helped us know each other, share our dreams and visions of our calling to serve the lord in the church and pray with dedication to accomplish His will in our lives. There I knew him as a man sold out to the Lord like Paul, the Apostle.

"Whoever has come to be, had already been named,' says the Bible in Ecclesiastes 6:10. (Tamil Version). His parents probably had this foreknowledge and named him as Sundar Singh which turn to be a prophetic revelation. As a young lad, though suffered to come up in life, his dedication was consistent to serve the Lord in all his deep commitment with his hands to the plow and his life for God's Kingdom. Though he leads a simple humble life, the anointing of God on him is so rich like that of high Priest Aaron; the knowledge of the word of God is richer like that of Apostle Paul that the whole Christendom feels so proud of Dr. Sundar Singh to be a perfect example as "Bishop of our times."

**Contents and Sample Pages**