Woke up yesterday (4th Dec 2021) to the sad news that Dr. JTK Daniel has gone to be with the Lord. He is a great Servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. He teaches the Word of God with a lot of conviction.
Our Association with Uncle, started in 2015. Seven of us from Tambaram Area enrolled for the BCS Course at the Senate of Serampore College. From then on, Uncle has been our Mentor & Guide. He conducted in-depth theology classes for us.
His approach to theology always was contextualized to the current circumstances of the Indian Church. The issues we face, the mission we have to do & the faith we need to exhibit. Theological studies forces us to look at things critically. At times, it questions us the fundamentals of Christian faith. But the way Uncle taught us answered all the “Hard Questions”. The way he taught us Church History & Christian Faith laid us a strong foundation.
I still remember the way he explained the way the Creeds were formed, the need for Nicene Creed and how the early Church leaders ensured the basic foundation of Christian Faith was laid.
He also embed in us the legacy of Senate of Serampore, the second college in India established by William Carey in 1818. Uncle was the Principal of this institution in the 90’s. I had a chance to visit this Serampore campus just before the lockdown in March 2020. Uncle helped with a few contacts to meet there and see the campus. Though 20 years had passed, every person I met had some story to tell about Uncle. He has literally revived the College. Even today after 200+ years, The institute stands tall as the epitome of Theological education.
Fittingly Dr. Peter Singh in his tribute to Uncle mentions him as the third founder of Serampore College.
I would say that he was the third founder of Serampore College after William Carey and John Mack. From 1990 to 1999 he served as its Principal and Secretary. What Serampore is today is the toil of his vision and dedicated hard work. Theology Department was given more importance. He did the pioneering efforts to introduce M.Th. studies Missiology and Bible Translation. All buildings were renovated, constructed many new buildings, recovered the properties from unauthorized occupants.
https://www.facebook.com/peter.singh.524/posts/4746161188740010
He was an ecumenist to the core. He used to quote St. Augustine of Hippo very often. His Dream was an united Church. He was very concerned with the Divisions in the Church. Most of Prayers after our sessions will be related to Church & bring unity in the Church.
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity
St. Augustine of Hippo
If there is one thing that we could do as a tribute to Uncle, it would be to work for an “United Church”. Let the Spirit of ecumenism thrive.