A. B. Masilamani

A. B. Masilamani
Born Abel Boanerges Masilamani
November 30, 1914
Pitapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died April 5, 1990 (aged 75)
Hyderabad
Telangana, India
Education B.D, M.A, M.Th, Ph.D
Occupation Evangelist
Religion Evangelical Christian
Spouse(s) A.B Vimala Masilamani
(m. 1921?–1997; her death)
Writings Prasanga Mala, Kanuvippu, Prasanga Tharangaalu, Sumarchana, Kitikilu, Telugu Theological Dictionary
Title Reverend Doctor

Abel Boanerges Masilamani or Acharya Masilamani (Telugu: ఎబెల్ బోనెర్గెస్ మాసిలామణి) was an Indian Bible scholar, Baptist minister, theologian, evangelist, author and lyricist.[1] He wrote some of the well known Telugu Christian hymns like ‘Nadipinchu Na Naava’, ‘Margamu Chupumu Intiki’, ‘Andala Taara’ and ‘Randi Suvartha Sunadamutho’.

Early Life and Family

Masilamani was born to A.B Greshom Paul and A.B Saramma on 30 November 1914 in Pitapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India.[2] Boanerges means 'Men of Thunder' and Masilamani means 'A Spotless Gem'. He got married to Vimala Masilamani in 1945. They have four children - Sujatha Prasad, Arathi Walter, Gordon Sunath and Joseph Kishore.[3] His son, Rev. Dr. A.B Joseph Kishore is the senior pastor of New Life Community Church and Trinity Cathedral, Hyderabad, India.[4]

Masilamani has 7 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. His grandson Rev. Seidel Abel Boanerges also known as Rev. A.B Seidel Sumanth, is a Baptist minister ordained by the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and is currently the Associate Minister at Rosebery Park Baptist Church, Bournemouth, England.[5]

Education

Dr. Masilamani was a highly educated individual. He did his L.Th (Licentiate of Theology), B.D (Bachelor of Divinity) from Serampore College in 1945, M.A (Master of Arts) from University of Calcutta, M.Th (Master of Theology) from Emmanuel College, which is a constituent college of University of Toronto, and a Ph.D from Osmania University.[6] His Ph.D thesis was on 'Hindu and Christian Concept of Non-Violence'.[7]

Ministry

Masilamani in the 1960s

After completing his Bachelors in Divinity from Serampore, Masilamani was ordained as a Baptist Minister by the Canadian Baptist Ministries.[8] Masilamani held several posts in Christian ministry. He was a professor and the Principal of Baptist Theological Seminary, Kakinada (1955–1958).[9] He was also a visiting professor for Acadia Divinity College,[10] Canada (1976). He also worked as the president of the Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars. Later, he worked as the Auxiliary Secretary of the Bible Society of India, Andhra Pradesh (1963–1969). He was also the President of the Asia Baptist Youth Fellowship. He was the editor of popular telugu Christian magazines like 'Ravi' 1947-1960, 'Gruha Joythi' 1961-1965 and 'Kapari' 1970-1990. In 1970, Masilamani founded New Life Associates in Hyderabad which is a Christian spiritual and social service organisation.[11]

Honours and Recognition

For his contributions to worldwide Christian ministry, McMasters University, Canada in 1974 awarded him with a Doctor of Divinity degree.[12] He was known by several nicknames, including ‘Billy Graham of the East’, ‘Man of the Age’, ‘Spotless Gem’ and ‘King of Preachers’.[13] A Ph.D research was done by Anita Margaret at Andhra University on Masilamani's theological works.[14]

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ George, K.M (1999). hurch of South India: Life in Union, 1947-1997. New Delhi: Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
  2. ↑ Walter, Arathi (2014). Priya Sishya: A Biography of A.B Masilamani. Hyderabad: Anupama Printers.
  3. ↑ Walter, Arathi (2014). Priya Sishya: A Biography of A.B Masilamani. Hyderabad: Anupama Printers.
  4. ↑ Birth Centenary Souvenir of Rev. Dr. A.B Masilamani. Hyderabad: Anupama Printers. 2014.
  5. ↑ Rosebery Park, Baptist Church. "RPBC Leadership Team".
  6. ↑ Walter, Arathi (2014). Priya Sishya: A Biography of A.B Masilamani. Hyderabad: Anupama Printers.
  7. ↑ Osmania, University. "Online Catalogue of Theses".
  8. ↑ Birth Centenary Souvenir of Rev. Dr. A.B Masilamani. Hyderabad: Anupama Printers. 2014.
  9. ↑ Rao, Sundara (1983). Bhakti Theology in the Telugu Hymnal. Chennai: Christian Literature Society. pp. 56–58.
  10. ↑ "List of Visiting Professors". Acadia Divinity College. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  11. ↑ Birth Centenary Souvenir of Rev. Dr. A.B Masilamani. Hyderabad: Anupama Printers. 2014.
  12. ↑ "McMaster University: Honorary Degree Recipients (Chronological)". Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  13. ↑ Walter, Arathi (2014). Priya Sishya: A Biography of A.B Masilamani. Hyderabad: Anupama Printers.
  14. ↑ "A critical analysis of Dr A B Masilamani's writings". Online Catalogue of Theses (Andhra University).