K. David
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| Pseudonym: | Biblical Scholar |
|---|---|
| Born: | January 15, 1930 Penamaluru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh |
| Died: | July 29, 1991Serampore, Hooghly District, West Bengal |
| Occupation: | Theologian |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Subjects: | New Testament & Greek |
| Information as on 16 February, 2007 | |
The Reverend Dr. K. David[1] was a Pastor, a New Testament Scholar, a Bible Translator and an able Administrator.
He was a member in the Society for Biblical Studies in India (SBSI) incorporating Biblical Scholars belonging to the Catholic and Protestant traditions. He was also elected as the office bearer of the SBSI and was later elected to the post of President.
Rev. David knew Greek, English, Telugu and Bengali
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[edit] Background
More than a century ago, missionaries of the Canadian Baptist Mission (CBM) pioneered Gospel work in coastal Andhra Pradesh from the district of Krishna in the south through the district of Srikakulam in the north apart from tribal areas in southern Orissa. With the independence of India, the Indian leadership began the Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars as the successor of the CBM in India.
Rev. David (born on January 15, 1930 in Penamaluru in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India in an agricultural family. Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Santoshamma, his parents dedicated him to God.
He was raised in the Church environment in the mission area of the Canadian Baptist Mission.[2]
Discipline and obedience were natural to him. At a young age of 14 years, he accepted the Lord through the medical missionary Dr. Barss of the Christian Medical Centre, Pithapuram, East Godavari District.[3]
After completing his schooling in McLaurin High School, Kakinada in East Godavari District and college education (Andhra University), he took up studies leading to ultimate priesthood.
[edit] Divinity
Accepting the 'call', the young David left for the Baptist Theological Seminary,[4] Kakinada and studied under Rev. Dr. A. B. Masilamani,[5] the then Principal.
Later, he left for Serampore College, West Bengal to pursue Bachelor of Divinity through the Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars, his parent Church.
After returning, his Church posted him to a rural congregation in Andhra Baptist Church, Tekkali in Srikakulam district in the northern circars of Andhra Pradesh which he ministered for seven years.
[edit] Further Studies
Later, he sought study leave from the Seminary Council of the Baptist Theological Seminary in order to upgrade his academic qualification.
He left for Serampore and registered himself for M.A. (Philosophy) under the University of Calcutta.
Subsequently, he enrolled for Master of Theology in New Testament in 1963. Juniors pursuing Bachelor of Divinity were amazed at his studiousness and interest in the scriptures thereby setting models for others to emulate.
[edit] Biblical Teacher
Successful studies led to the Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars (CBCNC), his parent Church, to assign him a teaching task at the Ramapatnam Baptist Theological Seminary (RBTS) located side-by-side with the newly created Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) - an ecumenical seminary located in the river town of Rajahmundry. Later, the RBTS was amalgamated with ACTC and shifted to Secunderabad.
[edit] Research
With interest to pursue research in New Testament, the Board of Governors of ACTC granted him study leave on sponsorship from his parent Church - CBCNC.
Then, Rev. David proceeded to Scotland to pursue Ph.D. in New Testament in the University of Edinburgh in August 1969. His research and scholarly abilities were put to test and soon Rev. David emerged out of the University in flying colours in August 1973 topping it off with a viva voce.[6]
[edit] Return to ACTC
Once back at ACTC, Dr. David began delivering quality Biblical education to his pupils. With the end of two terms of Principalship of Rev. Dr. P. Victor Premasagar, Rev. Dr. K. David became the Principal[7] in 1980 and continued up to 1986.
Tranquility and calm prevailed throughout his tenure. Daunting administrative tasks were resolved with ease. Never once did he let know others of the travails of running a Seminary.
As a sportsman, he was often seen indulging in sports activities with his students and colleagues in the evening. Dressed in sports shorts, he would often be seen walking briskly to the volleyball and other sports courts in the campus.
Service before self was put into practise by this simple vegetarian-loving Pastor. Qualities of simplicity, honesty, discipline, obedience and frugality were all seen in him. Passing out students at ACTC readily recall the ever-smiling Dr. David.
[edit] New Testament Scholar
With Dr. David's expertise in the New Testament, he was invited to many fora. One among them was the National Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC),[8] Bangalore which invited him along with Rev. Dr. Victor Premasagar for taking up scholarly talks.
[edit] Bible Translator
Rev. David was involved in the common language translation programme of the Bible Society of India - Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary. Visits to the Bible House on Rashtrapathi Road in Secunderabad were frequent. Portions of the New Testament were translated from the Greek New Testament into modern (common language) Telugu.
[edit] Baptist Theological Seminary
.
Dr. David continued to serve his alma mater - the Baptist Theological Seminary as a member of the Seminary Council for a long time and along with his teaching colleagues in ACTC belonging to CBCNC, Dr. David used to proceed to Kakinada to undertake teaching assignments in the BTS then under the Principalship of Rev. S.E. Krupa Rao. The BTS used to offer Graduate of Theology (G.Th.) programmes for 10th standard passed students.
[edit] Church Leadership
Dr. David belonged to the Canadian Baptist Mission (CBM) a.k.a. Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars (CBCNC), in which he played an active role in providing leadership to the Church.
In the year 1978, Dr. David was elected as the President of CBCNC.
[edit] Extension
With extension of Principalship in ACTC by another two years by the Board of Governors of ACTC, Dr. David continued his good work till his extended term ended.
Rev. Dr. S. Joseph, another New Testament Teacher succeeded him.
Dr. David continued teaching in ACTC until Serampore College invited him.
| Religious Posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
Professor of New Testament 1965–1987 |
Succeeded by Rev. Dr. S. Joseph |
| Preceded by Rev. Dr. P. Victor Premasagar |
Principal of ACTC 1980–1987 |
Succeeded by Rev. Dr. S. Joseph |
[edit] Serampore College
In the year 1987, Dr. K. David proceeded to Serampore College as it was his long cherished wish to teach in his alma mater and also particularly to guide the post-graduate students.
After teaching New Testament in Serampore College for a few more years, Dr. David breathed his last on July 29, 1991.
His grave lies in the same cemetry as that of the Serampore trio, Carey, Marshman, and Ward in Serampore Town in West Bengal, India.
[edit] References
- Notes
- ^ Andhra Christian Theological College ACTC Past Teachers
- ^ Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars
- ^ CMC, Pithapuram is a participating hospital under the Council of Christian Hospitals
- ^ BTS, Kakinada is a Baptist Seminary belonging to the Canadian Baptist Mission
- ^ One of the first Indian leaders of the CBM Churches was Rev. Masilamani who also struck chord with Christians of other denominations[1]
- ^ Excerpts of an oral interview from a cousin of Dr. David: Word has it that Rev. David taught a student Greek during his student days in Ediburgh. As guru dakshina, the student proceeded to offer a car to which Rev. David curtly refused. Such was his simplicity.
- ^ Rev. Dr. Victor Premasagar#Professor was the first Indian Principal belonging to the Wesleyan Methodist Society (WMS) which later got unionized into the Church of South India. He taught Old Testament
- ^ The Catholic Bishops's Conference of India [2] NBCLC
