In protestant theological institutions: a critical appraisal of contextual challenges in kerala, india jessy jaison b b s., M d

6.7.4 From Apathy to Transformative Teaching

The theoretical sphere of training seemingly fosters women’s equal worth in God’s plan but this is not reflected in practice. There needs to be a balance of theory and practice on seminary campus, while churches still resist being open to a better involvement of women in ministry. Theological seminaries in Kerala suffer from what Argyris calls, the “skilled incompetence,”⁵⁰⁹ which refers to “teams full of people who are incredibly proficient at keeping themselves from learning.”⁵¹⁰ The challenge, however, is much beyond activities on campus; rather it is one of integrating various sections of people who preserve their own levels of thinking, attitudes and preferences regarding women’s role in ministry. The empirical data observed that churches, parents, men on seminary campus and women in seminaries live with different perspectives and attitudes about women in Christian community. This study suggests seminaries as the agents of effective mediation between all these diverse groups.

6.7.4(a) Church Focus: Seminaries need to influence churches to be more open to women’s issues by initiating collaborative discussions. Plans to ensure women opportunities of ministry in feasible areas, probably starting off with a team endeavour are to be worked out. Seminaries need to prepare platforms for churches to share their expectations of graduates. They should also find out how women can contribute to church function and church growth. Reciprocity between both institutions could be nourished by seminaries being willing to listen to what church has to say for and about theological education. Researched writings and reports of discussions could be produced and circulated among churches and schools in a corporate effort on issues relating to women in ministry.
6.7.4(b) Parents Focus: In respect to the specific cultural setting under investigation, seminaries need to initiate awareness programmes that can help parents contribute their part in the process of transformation. Informal methods should be developed to make parents aware that, mutual respect between boys and girls should be nourished within the family, girls should be brought up with confidence in their own abilities, and that inhibition within homes can make lasting effects on girls. Instead of subjugating daughters to the will of others, they need to guide and support them in their own calling in life and ministry. It is crucial that seminaries carry out periodical consultation with parents of girls from the time of student enrolment. There should be room for parents to communicate their plans with seminary leadership on their daughters’ future and in case of one’s commitment to go on distant placements, seminaries should explore the viability of the plan, in support of the candidate.
6.7.4(c) Men on Campus: Seminaries should train men on campus to apply the principles of mutuality and theological interaction with their women colleagues. An environment has to be created where men realize and combat the general tendency to exercise autonomy and alienate women; rather they should be encouraged to practise team ministry with women and develop mutual respect.
6.7.4(d) Women Students: Seminaries will need to provide women students with an educational milieu, not scary but affirming and caring as the community of God’s children. Women, on the other hand, need to be taught how and why they should be more assertive of their call into ministry. They should know how to utilize every opportunity to develop and to contribute. Women should become aware of the need to develop a style in ministry that is beyond cultural reproach. There has to be mentoring provided to these women that they might not be aggressive or over-excited about being in ministry. Women students should be told of the centrality of communication, research and writings relating to their training and ministry. Hence, seminaries have a crucially integrating role in teaching and communicating with people on the role of women. Only a corporate effort between churches, seminaries and accrediting agencies would enhance this task.
However, how to motivate theological seminaries for this task still remains unanswered. Publishing research reports as books or articles in journals both in English and in Indian languages, conducting focused seminars and follow-ups, organizational assessments across seminaries are all required to start off the task of motivation. It essentially presumes areas such as writing, research, dialogue, practical mission initiatives, funding, policy making, developing women’s representation in committees and proper mentoring. Therefore, listing some of the recommendations as derived from the empirical research is vital to help policy makers in seminaries and accrediting agencies.

6.8 Recommendations to Seminaries

Documents and their periodical assessment can be powerful guides to enhance effectiveness of education.

• 
  A proper statement on the theological position upheld by the seminary regarding the role and status of women in ministry
  
• 
  Revising prospectus with the philosophy and practice of women’s training
  
• 
  Statement of objectives and specific learning outcomes (graduate profile) of women’s training as clearly and concisely as possible
  
• 
  Researched documents on the nature and rationale of courses offered to women and their relevance in the context
  

Life on campus can set the desirable model of corporate living as a faith community of peace, love and mutuality.

• 
  Measures to ensure that faculty either cling to the stated theological position of the seminary on women’s role or maintain a balanced position where humiliation cannot occur
  
• 
  Measures to control abusive attitudes and practices towards women by men students or staff
  
• 
  Making sure the administrative leadership and faculty are committed to develop women and are open to their call into ministry.
  

Discussions can surface problems, explore plausible solutions and facilitate restoration in human relations.

• 
  Discussions on women’s training and cultural concerns
  
• 
  Discussions to enhance a wider view of ‘ministry’
  
• 
  Constant influence on accrediting agencies to review their emphasis on women’s training
  

• 
  Open discussions and modification of educational policies
  

More women’s representation can be a vital, pragmatic step in transforming the structures.

• 
  Appoint a Dean of women with proper endorsement and position
  
• 
  Constantly check conformity between seminary’s official philosophy and individual faculty’s policies on women’s role in ministry
  
• 
  A women’s department –large or small depending on enrolment- to share practical insights with the leadership, attempt better funding and initiate research on issues concerning women
  
• 
  It should be well informed of the gender case in theological education, it should be well able to run workshops, teach classes and provide resource materials for the types of ministries feasible to women
  
• 
  Bring about awareness that the issue in hand is not just a ‘woman concern’ rather a gender issue that is socially constructed and culturally defined
  

Research, writing and publishing in vernacular languages is decisive in the process of conscientizing the social and ecclesial communities.

• 
  Stimulate more research and innovative plans of actions towards women’s training
  
• 
  Conduct further research on areas that need immediate consideration
  
• 
  Encourage women to make written contributions, which would enhance their approval in wider society
  

More funding can advance the agenda for women’s ministry placements.

• 
  Raise funds for ministry placements
  
• 
  Gain funding for research and writings
  
• 
  Fund for vocational training
  

A steady working relationship with the local churches needs to be maintained.

• 
  Stable working relationship with local churches to provide weekend ministry for women, supervised by the church
  
• 
  Conduct vocational training for women to make them self-reliant in mission fields as needed
  
• 
  Seminary’s ministry department should stand between the churches and seminaries to bring the discussion to public arena.
  
• 
  Develop a more intentional “mentoring system” for women students
  

Further studies need to be made on how the accrediting agencies can ensure to address issues relating to the theological training of women. Importantly, seminaries are missing a great deal of necessary input by neglecting women. Men and women are created for partnership and theological education is no exception to this. Therefore, instead of a few mechanical initiatives, seminaries might need to sit back in retrospect and intentionally look for women, called and gifted for the kingdom mission in various capacities. Theological education has to be “a journey toward freedom; a journey with others, for others, towards God’s future.”⁵¹¹ Not only theological education but also the mission of the church will not be holistic without women having and doing their part- because humanity, in God’s creative design, is made up of both women and men. `

CONCLUSION

The objective of this research was to examine the challenges in women’s pursuit of theological education. Compared to the depth and precision of discussions held in the West, especially in the United States, and despite the advancements made in the Asian context at large, theological education in Kerala, India has still to develop in its commitment to the women’s constituency. The Western debates relating to women’s theological education do have comprehensive potential to influence and enlighten the plans and prospects of theological education in contexts that are essentially different. Nevertheless, the study counts the level of cultural comprehension and applicability of each context as a crucial factor in this. Yet, there is no lament that women still remain desperately neglected in theological schools in India. There has been, rather, a great emphasis on admission to women in all academic programs, a growing practice of co-education and provision of similar campus facilities, which was not the standard case until the dawn of the 1990s. Women have made their presence and their role significant in the theological enterprise. However, the reviews of literature both in the Western and the Indian settings disclosed the struggle of women, who obviously searched to gain their rightful positions and recognition as both these contexts essentially function on male supremacy despite the varying levels of intensity.

The empirical data brought to light diverse challenges of women-social, ecclesiastical, psychological, vocational and structural- which most schools are either unaware of or ignore. Women students are relegated to the periphery by the subtleties of culture that appear in various forms during and after training. The neglect/sometimes helplessness of seminaries, indifference of churches, perspective shifting of men and cultural vulnerability of women-all are serious concerns involved. There is a conscious avoidance of addressing the issues and recognizing the need of addressing them.
Since 1970s in the West and late 1980s in India, admission of women in theological education became an increasing phenomenon. This move, however, was neither immediate nor easy. While over the decades the Western context explored deeper into issues relating to women students, women faculty, women principals and administrators and theological debates about all these, the Indian context has been apparently caught up to confront two-fold challenges in its way- the one posed by deep-rooted cultural values and the other socially and theologically reinforced ecclesiastical traditions. Despite the openness of theological schools that profoundly upgraded the status of women, irresolvable patriarchal cultural reinforcements lingered, with incorrigible biases against women. The women development schemes of the secular education and employment sectors increased the significance of the challenges of women students in theological education.
When formal practices of women’s training such as admissions, daily activities in classes and higher education opportunities are counted, women do not seem to be a disadvantaged constituency in Indian schools any longer. The ‘external equality’ has effectively masked the actual challenges of women. It kept the voices suppressed, made arguments invalid, kept doors for substantial transformation for women closed. There formed a vacuum, which was investigated in this research. Instead of being agents of liberation, theological education yielded itself uncritically to the long preserved culture of churches and society that prefers and pleases to consign women in domestic roles. The empirical data further disclosed a ‘fear’ which surrounded theological schools and make them act in a way that society and churches traditionally insisted.
Criticisms are plausible on the choice of context for a study on such a topic as Kerala being one of the states of India that claims to have significantly elevated the social status of women- and truly so in most sectors of education and employment. Selecting this seemingly ‘unlikely’ case has been the academic task that raised the sociological significance of the research. Kerala, with its entire rich Christian heritage from AD 52, might pose a further criticism on the precision of choice to examine the church related issues faced by women. Permeation of the study into the theological corroboration of hidden patriarchal structures advanced its theological curiosity. The study attempted to identify the concealed attitudes and beliefs behind the ecclesiastical and cultural challenges of women in theological education. The male bias against women in the context of Kerala pervades the entire system of theological education and theology itself. Initiatives for women’s involvement in ministry are disparaged; open discussions are discouraged; meanings of practices are assumed rather than established; real issues are kept concealed from being tackled.
The context of theological education for women in Kerala has been for so long suppressed by the growing discontent of the society with feminism and its moves. This research report, however, recognized the developments and contributions of feminism towards the emancipation of women in theological education and ministry. It then adapted a practical theological approach, powerful enough to silence the bias and refutations in order to make its case for a transformation in theological education.
Sexism has established itself deeply in the life of theological schools and churches, denying women life. However, the situation in cities might vary from the village settings. Yet, a majority of students join seminaries from middle class townships and not urban culture. Theology that needs to be a lived reality and leverage to offer women fullness of life in Christ, continues to appear as a box of spiritual secrets or higher eternal truth, out of reach of women. It hence, largely fails in responding to the real life issues of women.
The crucial control that operates behind every finding of the empirical research has ties with culture. Achieving a lasting transformation is suggested to be made only by an attentive interaction with culture. God does not override human cultural realities; rather He uses them to advance and fulfil His Kingdom purposes. The biblical message, as explored specifically through the case of Jesus, is supracultural, yet needs to be understood and applied in all cultures. However, this cannot be achieved at the same pace or with the same means or amount of effort in all cultures since each culture has its own level of comprehension and intensity of habits.
To achieve this in terms of women’s concerns in intensely patriarchal settings, a cultural hermeneutic will be indispensable. The study attempted to present the why and how questions in this regard. This is further viewed as the foundational task of theological schools and is the very essence of ‘theology’ itself. When theological truths are laid beneath the layers of long standing cultural assumptions and values, only a culturally sensible theological hermeneutic can offer transformation. This cultural sensitivity presupposes, though, a progressive development rather than abrupt, and its essential maintenance of cultural equilibrium rather than causing cultural quandary, to safeguard women from further alienation and denigration. Most of the biblical textual tensions that trouble theological scholarship could also be realistically appraised with this hermeneutic of cultural sensibility.
There is an inescapable call on theological schools to retrospect and review their own philosophical, theological assumptions and practices of theological training for women. Schools have distinctive tasks in initiating changes structurally, conceptually, theologically and vocationally. They are also called to mediate biblical and cultural hermeneutics. The assumption that cultural arbitration is incompatible with the Bible is critically addressed and a case made on a biblical and missiological basis. The alternative hermeneutic model of Jesus for women, its vitality in strongly patriarchal settings, its transforming efficiency and impact are appraised.
Therefore, a drastic re-appraisal of the philosophy and practice of theological education for women is advocated in Kerala. In many ways, the Christian community as a whole has missed out on the way that the Lord of the church, Jesus Christ, envisioned for women to gain life and contribute to His Kingdom. The theological task consists of confronting the questions that come before the challenges of women in theological training and in the church and reflect on them with a hermeneutical framework relevant to those concerned. While doing all these, intense attention should be paid to what is an appreciation for cultural distinctiveness. Theological education in Kerala and similar contexts elsewhere-where subtle cultural forces bindingly suppress the life of women despite the peripheral social and educational elevation they enjoy- needs to come face to face with the challenges of women who make more than half of the believing community. The call is to undertake a new task that takes new ways of reflecting on theology and the traditional ways of doing it and relating effectively to other dimensions in the world of knowledge such as sociology, anthropology, organization, gender studies and so on that can inform and guide our decisions. The current concern is a situation where cultural pressures cause God’s people to conform to the world and lose their distinctiveness as the disciples of Jesus Christ. The theological community has somehow lost and continues to lose sight of the danger posed by adopting prevalent cultural practices and fearing the traditionally held values of the church that alienate women from enjoying real life in Christ. Christianity does not comprise of abstract ‘theological concepts’; rather it advocates a daily transformation in attitudes and practices by the renewing of our minds according to the Scriptures.

Social disparities based on gender are not easy to eliminate. Cultural conflicts are ongoing. An integrated hermeneutical approach is vital to analyse and address these dialectics. The biblical data does not contain ‘the’ answer that people generally try to see. As in human cultural settings, the Bible too, shows a tension between various dialectics at work. This, however, does not reveal the uncertainty of the scripture; rather, it calls women and men to sense and see the strategy of scripture in ‘providing theological direction’ that makes sense to everyone irrespective of cultural diversities. Nonetheless, it is emphasized that all forms of exploitation and denigration based on gender difference deserve immediate attention particularly among those who call themselves ‘the family of God.’ The transformational approach suggested is not abrupt, but progressive and directional. It is argued that Jesus’ specific practices of social inclusivity did not take a radical form, but always contained a balanced hermeneutic of progressive, transformative, cultural diffusion. It is, therefore, of paramount significance that Christian theology is not static. Although Jesus started off his transformative mission within His socio-cultural setting, His mission powerfully disseminated into every aspect of social life- it was a progressive vision but not belligerently radical. Christians in general, in the same manner start off within their own cultural settings, but often forget that the kingdom vision is not static; rather it is dynamic and sensible to all cultures in their level of comprehension and application.

Balance in the mediational task is strongly emphasized. Cultural values are real life values to people even if they take oppressive forms. Their ethic constantly prompts them to preserve these values. People are born into them; nourished by them and therefore, preserving these becomes a top priority in their lives. Any alterations to them, for whatever desirable reasons might be, are discarded uncritically in most cases. Christian theology cannot, however, escape the mission of Kingdom building, by excuses in this line. Maintenance of equilibrium between cultural values and the ‘Kingdom Vision’ has been exemplified through the teaching and practice of Jesus. Without responding to this call, theological education turns out to be futile in its mission. But with its true recognition and application, theological education can effectively offer life to its women constituency in any culture not just for a few years of training, but for their entire lives.
The development in women’s training over the years is profound and this study retains a high regard for it. The untapped potential in theological schools to mediate the theological and cultural challenges of women is also envisaged. While church structures in general, with their rather inert, institutionalized, conventional life style have inherited numerous solid restrictions in initiating this, the urgency of the mission falls on theological schools, whose very existence presupposes it.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS
Abraham, Joseph. Eve: Accused or Acquitted? USA: Paternoster Press, 2002.

Ahluwalia, Shashi. Founders of New India. Delhi: Manas Publications, 1986.

Alcoff, Linda and Potter, Elizabeth (eds.). Feminist Epistemologies. London: Routledge, 1993.

Amritham, Samuel and Yeow Choo Lak (eds.). Spiritual Formation in Theological Education. Singapore: ATESEA: 1989.

Anderson, L W and Krathwohl, D R. Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. London: Allyn & Bacon, 2000.

Anderson, Ray S. The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis. Illinois: IVP, 2001.

Argyris, Chris. Overcoming Organizational Defences. New York: Prentice Hall, 1990.

Arles, Siga. Theological Education for the Mission of the Church in India1947-1987.

Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 1991.

Arles, Siga. Biblical Theology and Missiological Education in Asia: Essays in Honour of Rev Dr. Brian C Wintle. Bangalore: Centre for Contemporary Christianity, 2005.

Athyal, Leelamma. Man and Woman: Towards a Theology of Partnership. Tiruvalla: CSS, 2005.

Atkinson, D J and Field, D.H (eds.). The New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology. Leicester: Intervarsity Press, 1995.

Ballard, Paul and Pritchard, John. Practical Theology in Action: Christian Thinking in the Service of Church and Society. London: SPCK, 1996.

Ban, J D (ed). The Christological Foundation for Contemporary Theological Education. Macon: GA Mercer University Press, 1988.

Banks, R. Re-envisioning Theological Education: Exploring a Missional Alternative to Current Models. Cambridge: Eerdmans, 1999.

Banks, Roberts and Ledbetter, B M. Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches. Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004.

Barker, Chris. Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice. London: Sage, 2000.

Bauckham, Richard. Gospel Women. London: T & T Clark, 2002.

Beattie, Gillian. Women and Marriage in Paul and His Early Interpreters. London: T & T Clark, 2005.

Bell, Judith. Doing Your Research Project, 3^rd Edition. Buckingham: Open University Press, 1999.

Benhabib, Seyla (et.al). Feminist Contentions: A Philosophical Exchange. London: Routledge, 1995.

Berlo, David R. The process of Communication. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1960.

Bevans, Stephen B. Models of Contextual Theology. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2000.

Bhavani, Kum-Kum., Foran, J., and Kurien, P. (eds.). Feminist Futures: Re-imagining Women, Culture and Development. London: Zed Books, 2003.

Bilezikian, Gilbert. Beyond Sex Roles: A Guide for the Study of Female Roles in the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1985, 2004.

Bloom, Benjamin S (ed.). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, Handbook 1: Cognitive Domain. New York: Longman, 1956.

Blount, Brian K. Cultural Interpretation: Reorienting New Testament Criticism. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1995.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. New York: Macmillan, 1963. Reprinted by Simon Schuster, 1995.

Bowles, Gloria and Klein, Renate Duelli (eds.). Theories of Women’s Studies. Boston: Routledge & Keagan, 1983.

Boyd, R H S. An Introduction to Indian Theology. Madras: The Christian Literature Society, 1969.

Branson, Mark Lau and Padilla, Rene (eds.). Conflict and Context: Hermeneutics in the Americas. Michigan: Eerdmans, 1986.

Browning, Don S., Polk, David., and Evison, Ian S. The Education of the Practical Theologian: Responses to Joseph Hough and John Cobb’s Christian Identity and Theological Education. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1989.

Bultmann, R. Jesus Christ and Mythology. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1958.

Bunch, Charlotte and Pollack, Sandra (eds.). Learning Our Way: Essays in Feminist Education. Trumansburg: The Crossing Press, 1983.

Carrol, Jackson W. Barbara G Wheeler, Daniel O Aleshire and Pennt Long Marler. Being There: Culture and Formation in Two Theological Schools. Oxford, University Press, 1997.

Casemann, Earnst, Jesus Means Freedom. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1968.

Chakrapani, C and Vijayakumar, S (eds.). Changing Status and Role of Women in Indian Society. Delhi: M D Publications, 1994.

Chaudhari, Maithrayee. Indian Women’s Movement: Reform and Revival. Delhi: Radiant Publishers, 1993.

Chaves, Mark. Ordaining Women: Culture and Conflict in Religious Organizations. London: University Press,1999.

Cheesman, Graham. Guidance for Bible College Students. Belfast: Center for Theological Education, 2005.

Chopp, Rebecca S. Saving Work; Feminist Practices of Theological Education. Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995.

Clifford, Anne M. Introducing Feminist Theology. New York: Orbis Books, 2001.

Clowney, Edmund P. The Church- Contours of Christian Theology. Leicester: IVP, 1995.

Cohen, L and Manion, L. Research Methods in Education, 4^th edition. London: Routledge, 1994.

Collinson, Sylvia Wilkey. Making Disciples: The Significance of Jesus’ Educational Methods for Today’s Church. Carlisle: Paternoster, 2004.

Cox, Harvey. The Seduction of the Spirit. New York: Simon and Schuster 1973.

Cranny-Francis, Anne, Waring, Wendy, Stavropoulos, Pam, and Kirby, Joan. Gender Studies. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.

Daly, Mary. The Church and the Second Sex. New York: Harper and Row, 1975.

Daly, Mary. Beyond God the Father: Towards a Philosophy of Women’s Liberation. Boston: Beacon Press, 1985.

Das, Somen. Women in India: Problems and Prospects. Delhi: ISPCK, 1997.

Deligiorgi, Katerina. Hegel- New Direction. England: ACUMEN, 2006.

Denzin, N K. The Research Act: A Theoretical Introduction to Sociological Methods, 3^rd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1989.

Denzin, N K and Lincoln, Y S (eds.). Handbook of Qualitative Research, 2^nd Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.

Descrochers, John and Joseph, George. India Today. Bangalore: Centre for Social Action, 1993.

Dietrich, Gabriele. The Impact of New Economic Policy on Women in India and Feminist Alternatives. Bangalore: Ecumenical Christian Centre, 1997.

Dietrich, Gabriele and Wielenga, Bas. Towards Understanding Indian Society. Thiruvalla: CSS, 2003.

Dietrich, Walter and Ulrich Luz (eds.). The Bible in a World Context: An Experiment in Contextual Hermeneutics. Grand Rapids: Wm. B Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2002

Dockery, David S. (ed.). The Challenge of Postmodernism: An Evangelical Engagement. Michigan: Baker Books, 1995.

Dornisch, Loretta. Paul and Third World Women Theologians. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1999.

Duce, P and Strange, D (eds.). Keeping Your Balance: Approaching Theological and Religious Studies. Leicester: Apollos, 2001.

Eapen, K V. A Study of Kerala History. Kottayam: 1986.

Evans, Judith. Feminist Theory Today: An Introduction to Second-Wave Feminism. London: Sage Publications, 1995.

Evans, Mary. Woman in the Bible. Exeter: The Paternoster Press, 1983.

Evans, R A and Roozen, D A (eds.). The Globalization of Theological Education. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1993.

Fabella, Virginia and Torres, Sergio. Doing Theology in a Divided World: Papers from the Sixth International Conference of EATWOT. New York: Orbis, 1985.

Fabella, Virginia and Oduyoye, Mercy Amba (eds.). With Passion and Compassion: Third World Women Doing Theology. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1988.

Fabella, Virginia and Park, Sun Ai Lee (eds.). We dare to Dream: Doing Theology as Asian Women. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1989.

Farley, Edward. Theologia: The Fragmentation and Unity of Theological Education. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1983.

Farley, Edward. The Fragility of Knowledge: Theological Education in the Church and in the University. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1988.

Ferguson, Sinclair B and Wright, David F (eds.). New Dictionary of Theology. Leicester: Inter Varsity Press, 1988.

Ferris, Robert. Renewal in Theological Education: Strategies for Change. Wheaton: Wheaton College, 1990.

Fiorenza, Elizabeth Schussler. In Memory of Her: A Feminist Theological Reconstruction of Christian Origins. London: SCM, 1983.

Fiorenza, Elizabeth Schussler. Discipleship of Equals: A critical Feminist Ekklesialogy of Liberation. New York: Crossroad Books, 1993.

Fiorenza, Elizabeth Schussler (ed.). Searching the Scriptures. Vol. 1: A Feminist Introduction. London: SCM Press, 1993.

Fiorenza, Elizabeth Schussler. Sharing Her Word: Feminist Biblical Interpretation in Context. Boston: Beacon Press, 1998.

Flax, Jane. Disputed Subjects: Essays on Psychoanalysis, Politics and Philosophy. London: Routlege, 1993.

Fletcher, J C. The Futures of Protestant Seminaries. Washington: The Alban Institute, 1983.

Fonow, Mary Margaret and Cook, Judith A. Beyond Methodology: Feminist Scholarship as Lived Research. Indiana: University Press, 1991.

Forbes, G. The New Cambridge History of India. Cambridge: University Press, 1996.

Franklin, S., Lucy, C. and Stracey, J. Off- Centre: Feminism and Cultural Studies. London: Harper Collins, 1991.

Freire, Paulo. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Trans. Myra Bergman Ramos. New York: The Continuum Publishing Corporation, 1987.

Frykenberg, Robert Eric (ed.) Christians and Missionaries in India. London: Routledge, 2003.

Fullan, M. Leading in a Culture of Change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2001.

Gadamer, Hans-Georg. Hegel’s Dialectic: Five Hermeneutical Studies. London: Yale University Press, 1976.

Gilliland, D.S. The Word Among Us: Contextualizing Theology. London: Word Publishing, 1989.

Glaser, B. Theoretical Sensitivity. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press, 1978.

Glaser, B.G and Strauss, A.L. The Discovery of Grounded Theory. Chicago: Aldine, 1967.

Gnanadason, Aruna. No Longer a Secret: The Church and Violence Against Women. Geneva: WCC, 1993.

Government of India. The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. XLVIII. New Delhi: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, 1958-1994.

Green, Joel B, McKnight, S., Marshall, I. H. (eds.). Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Leicester: Intervarsity, 1992.

Grenz, Stanley J. Revisioning Evangelical Theology-A Fresh Agenda for the 21^st Century. Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1993.

Grenz, Stanley J with Kjesbo, Denise Muir. Women in the Church-A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry. Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1995.

Groothuis, R M. Discovering Biblical Equality. England: Apollos, 2005.

Grosof, M. S. and Hyman Sardy. A Research Primer for the Social and Behavioural Sciences. Orlando, FL: Academic Press, 1985.

Gundry, Patricia. Woman be Free! The Clear Message of Scripture. Grand Rapids: Michigan, 1977.

Halliday, M A K. Explorations in the Functions of Language. London: Edward Arnold, 1973.

Halliday, M A K. Language as Social Semiotic: The Social Interpretation of Language and Meaning. London: Edward Arnold, 1978.

Halsey, A H., Hugh Lauder, Phillip Brow and Amy Stuart Wells. Education- Culture, Economy and Society. Oxford University Press, 1997.

Hampson, Daphne. After Christianity. London: SCM Press, 1996.

Harding, Sandra. The Science Question in Feminism. New York: Cornell University Press, 1986.

Harding, Sandra. Feminism and Methodology: Social Science Issues. Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1987.

Harding, Sandra. Whose Science? Whose Knowledge? New York: Cornell University Press, 1991.

Harding, Sandra. The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader: Intellectual and Political Controversies, London: Routledge, 2004.

Harris, Marvin. Theories of Culture in Post-Modern Times. Walnut Creek, California/London: Altamira Press, 1999.

Harrison, M H. After Ten Years, an Account of Theological Education in India. Nagpur:

NCCI, 1957.

Hawthorne, G F., Martin, R P and Reid, D G. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Leicester: Intervarsity Press, 1993.

Hesselgrave, D J. Communicating Christ Cross Culturally, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978.

Hesselgrave, D J. Contextualization: Meanings, Methods and Models. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989.

Heywood, Leslie L. (ed.). The Women’s Movement Today: An Encyclopaedia of Third Wave Feminism. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005.

Hiebert, Paul G. Cultural Anthropology (Second Edition). Michigan: Baker Book House, 1983.

Hiebert, Paul G. Anthropological Insights for Missionaries, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1985.

Hodgson, P C. God's Wisdom: Towards a Theology of Education. Louisville:

Westminster/ John Knox Press, 1999.

Hough, J C Jr. and Cobb, J B Jr. Christian Identity and Theological Education. Chicago: Scholar Press, 1985.

Hrangkhuma, F and Sebastian Kim (eds.). The Church in India: Its Mission Tomorrow. Delhi: CMS/ISPCK, 1996.

Hunt, Mary Evans. A Guide for Women in Religion: Making Your Way from A to Z. New York: Palgrave, 2004.

Isherwood, Lisa and McEwan, Dorothea. Introducing Feminist Theology. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1993.

Jackson, William J. Vijayanagara Voices: Exploring South Indian History and Hindu Literature. England: Ashgate Publications, 2005.

Jaison, Jessy. Enjoy Your Research: A Manual for Theological Students. Trivandrum: New India Publications, 2000.

Jennifer, Mason. Qualitative Researching. London: Sage 1996 reprint 1998.

Jewett, Paul K. Man as Male and Female: A Study of Sexual Relationships from a Theological Point of View. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975.

Kalliath, A. Christian Leadership: The Shifting Focus in Theological Education. Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 2001.

Kasemann, Earnst. Jesus Means Freedom. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1968.

Katappo, Marianne. Compassionate and Free. Eugene: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2001.

Keck, Leander E. (ed.). The New Interpreter’s Bible Vol.1. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994.

Kelsey, D H. To Understand God Truly: What’s Theological about a Theological School. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1992.

Kelsey, D H. Between Athens and Berlin: The Theological Education Debate. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.

King, Ursula (ed.). Feminist Theology from the Third World: A Reader. New York: Orbis Books, 1994.

Kinsler, F Ross (ed.). Ministry by the People. Geneva: WCC, 1983.

Knowles, Malcom S, et.al. Andragogy in Action: Applying Modern Principles of Adult Education. San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 1984.

Kolb, David A. Experiential Learning. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1984.

Kolmar, Wendy K and Frances Bartkowski. Feminist Theory-A Reader, Second Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2005.

Korishetti, V B. Female Education: A Study of Rural India. New Delhi: Cosmo Publications, 2003.

Kraft, C H. Christianity in Culture: A Study in Dynamic Biblical theologizing in Cross-Cultural Perspective. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1980.

Kumari, A Surya (ed.). Women’s studies: An Emerging Academic Discipline. New Delhi: Gyan Publishing House, 1993.

Kumari, Prasanna (ed.). Feminist Theology: Perspectives and Praxis. Chennai: Summer Institute, 1998.

Kyung, Chung Hyun. Struggle to be the Sun Again: Introducing Asian Women’s Theology. New York: Orbis Books, 1990.

Lane, A N S (ed.). Interpreting the Bible. Leicester: APOLLOS, 1997.

Larkin, William J. Culture and Biblical Hermeneutics: Applying the Authoritative Word in a Relativistic Age. Michigan: Baker Book House, 1988.

Lartley, Emmanuel Y. Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural World. Peterborough: EPWORTH, 2006.

Lee, James Michael and Putz, Louis J (eds.). Seminary Education in a Time of Change. Indiana: Fides Publishers, 1965.

Lehman, Edward C Jr. Gender and Work- The Case of Clergy. New York: State University of New York Press, 1993.

Lehmann, P L. Ethics in a Christian Context. London: SCM, 1963.

Leith, J H. Crisis in the Church: The Plight of Theological Education. Louisville: John Knox Press, 1997.

Lingenfelter, Sherwood G and Mayers, Marvin K. Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, Printing 1989.

Loades, Ann. (ed.). Feminist Theology A Reader. London: SPCK, 1990.

Longino, Helen. Science as Social Knowledge. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1990.

Longino, Helen. The Fate of Knowledge. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2002.

Luzbetak, L J. The Church and Cultures. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1980.

Mabry, Hunter P. Language and Community: Inclusive Language. Bangalore: UTC Publications, 1994.

Majumdar, R C., Raychaudhuri, H C., and Datta, Kaukinkar. An Advanced History of India. London: Macmillan: 1946.

Majumdar, R C. Ancient India. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1987.

Manavalan, P. The Culture of Kerala and Christian Missionaries. Kottayam, Kerala: DC Books, 1990.

Manohar, Christina. Feminist Critique and Reconstruction. Delhi; ISPCK 2005.

Marshall, I H. Beyond the Bible: Moving from Scripture to Theology. Grand Rapids: Michigan, Baker Academic, 2004.

Martin, Francis. The Feminist Question: Feminist Theology in the Light of Christian Tradition. Grand Rapids: William B Eerdmans, 1994.

Massey, James. Contextual Theological Education. Delhi: ISPCK, 1993.

Mayers, Marvin K. Christianity Confronts Culture: A Strategy for Cross Cultural Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Academie Books, 1987.

McKeown, James. Two Horizons Commentary on Genesis. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2008.

McKim, Donald K (ed.). A Guide to Contemporary Hermeneutics: Major Trends in Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Wm B Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1986.

McTaggart, J M Ellis. Studies in the Hegelian Dialectics (Second Edition). Cambridge: University Press, 1922.

Meyers, Carol. Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.

Miller, R. L and Brewer, J D. The A-Z of Social Research A Dictionary of Key Social Science Research Concepts. Sage: London, 2003.

Montefiore, Hugh. The Gospel and Contemporary Culture. England: Mowbray, 1992.

Moore, Nick. How to do Research. London: Library Association Publishing, 2000.

Morgan, D L. Focus Groups as Qualitative Research, 2^nd Edition. London: Sage Publications, 1997.

Morris, Brian. Anthropological Studies of Religion: An Introductory Text. Cambridge: University Press, 1987.

Nair, S Madhavan. Education: Its Philosophy, Psychology and Technology. Trissur: Breeze Publications, 1998.

Nelson, Lynn Hankinson. Who Knows: From Quine to a Feminist Empiricism. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1990.

Neuman, L W. Social Research Methods- Qualitative and Quantitative. London: Allyn & Bacon, 1994.

Newsome, C A and Ringe, S H (eds.). The Women’s Bible Commentary. Westminster: John Knox Press, 1998.

Nicholson, L (ed.). Feminism/ Post Modernism. London: Routledge, 1990.

Nida, E A. Customs and Cultures. New York: Harper & Row, 1954. Reprint, William Carey Library, South Pasadena, California, 1975.

Nida, E A and Taber, C R. The Theory and Practice of Translation. Leiden: Brill, 1969.

Niebuhr, H Richard. Christ and Culture. San Francisco: Harper, 1996.

Nouwen, Henri J. Reaching Out. Glasgow: Collins, 1976.

Nussbaum, Martha and Glover, Jonathan (eds.). Women, Culture and Development: A Study of Human Capabilities. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.

Oden, T C. Requiem: A Lament in Three Movements. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995.

Ott, B. Beyond Fragmentation: Integrating Mission and Theological Education: A Critical Assessment of some Recent Developments in Evangelical Theological Education. Regnum: Regnum Studies in Mission, 2001.

Pacala, Leon. The Role of ATS in Theological Education 1980-1990. Atlanta: Scholars Press, ATS Publications, 1998.

Padilla, Rene C. New Alternatives in Theological Education. Oxford: Regnum, 1988.

Panigrahi, Lalita. British Social Policy and Female Infanticide. Columbia: South Asia Books, 1972.

Pattison, Stephen. The Challenge of Practical Theology: Selected Essays. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2007.

Pierce, R.W and Groothuis, R M. Discovering Biblical Equality. England: Apollos, 2005.

Piper, John and Grudem, Wayne. Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood A Response to Evangelical Feminism. Wheaton: Illionis: Crossway, 1991.

Plaskow, Judith and Chris Carol (eds.). A Feminist Reader in Religion. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1979.

Pobee, J (ed.). Towards Viable Theological Education. Geneva: WCC, 1997.

Porter, Fran. Changing Women, Changing World: Evangelical Women in Church, Community and Politics. Blackstaff: ECONI, 2002.

Porter, Fran. It will not be Taken Away from Her: A Feminist Engagement with Women’s Christian Experience. Darton: Longman and Todd, 2004.

Prabhakar, Samson and M J Joseph (eds.). Church’s Participation in Theological Education. Bangalore: BTESSC/ SATHRI, 2003.

Pui-Lan, Kwok. Introducing Asian Feminist Theology. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2000.

Ralte, Lalrinawmi. Women Reshaping Theology. Delphi: ISPCK, 1998.

Ralte, Lalrinawmi., Robinson, Florence, Scott, Corinne and Vasanthakumar, Nirmala (eds.). Envisioning a New Heaven and a New Earth. Delhi: NCCI & ISPCK, 1999.

Ramazanoglu, Caroline. Feminism and the Contradictions of Oppression. London: Routeledge, 1989.

Ramm, B. Preface in Christianity in Culture. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1980.

Ranson, C W. The Christian Minister in India: His vocation and Training. London: Lutterworth Press, 1946.

Ricoeur, Paul. Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences, edited and translated by John B Thompson. Cambridge: University Press, 1981.

Robinson, Gnana. A Journey Through Theological Education. Madras: CLS, 1989.

Robinson, Gnana (ed.). Challenges and Responses - Church's Ministry in the Third Millennium. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, 2000.

Ro, Rin Bong and Albrecht, Mark C. God in Asian Contexts: Communicating the God of the Bible in Asia. Bangalore: Asia Theological Association, 1988.

Rosen, Michael. Hegel’s Dialectic and Its Criticism. Cambridge: University Press, 1982.

Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Women-Church: Theology and Practice of Feminist Liturgical Communities. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.

Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Sexism and God –Talk: Toward a Feminist Theology. Boston: Beacon, Fortress, 1990

Sanneh, Lamin. Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture. New York: Orbis Books, 1992.

Schreiter, R. Constructing Local Theologies. MaryKnoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1985.

Schumacher, Michele M (ed.). Women in Christ: Toward a New Feminism. Cambridge: William B Eerdmans, 2004.

Schuth, Katarina. Seminaries, Theologiates and the Future of the Church Ministry

Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1999.

Scott, Peter and Cavanaugh, William T (eds.). The Blackwell Companion to Political Theology. Oxford: Blackwell, 2004.

Segovia, Fernado F (ed.). Toward a New Heaven and a New Earth: Essays in Honour of Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2003.

Senge, P M. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. London: Century Business, 1990.

Senghass, D. The Clash within Civilizations: Coming to Terms with Cultural Conflicts. London: Routledge, 2002.

Sewell, Robert. A Forgotten Empire Vijayanagar. Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 2000.

Sharma, U and Sharma, B.M (eds.). Women Education in Ancient and Medieval India. New Delhi: Common Wealth Publishers, 1995.

Shorter, Aylward. Toward A Theology of Inculturation. England: Geoffrey Chapman, 1988.

Shulman, Lee S and Kieslar, E R. Learning by Discovery: A Critical Appraisal. Chicago IL: Rand McNally, 1966.

Shulman, Lee S. The Wisdom of Practice: Essays on Teaching, Learning and Learning to Teach. Edited by Suzanne M Wilson. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004.

Siddiqi, Dina M. (ed.). Human Rights in Bangladesh. Dhaka: Ain O Salish, 2004.

Silverman, David. Interpreting Qualitative Data. London: Sae Publications, 1993.

Simon, C. Mentoring for Mission: Nurturing New Faculty at Church-Related Colleges. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

Singleton, R. Jr., B Straits, Magaret Straits and Ronald MacAllister. Approaches to Social Research. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.

Spear, P. India: A Modern History. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press, 1961.

Spencer, Aida Besancon. Beyond the Curse: Women Called to Ministry. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1985. Reprint Peabody: Hendrickson, 1989.

Sreedharamenon, A. Kerala History and its Makers. Kottayam, Kerala: National Book Stall, 1987.

Sreedharamenon, A. History of Kerala. Madras: S Vishwanathan Publishers, 1995.

Srinivas, M N. Social Changes in Modern India. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1966.

Stackhouse, John G. Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method. Baker Book House: Michigan, 2000.

Stackhouse, M. Apologia : Contextualization Globalization and Mission. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.

Stanley, Liz and Wise, Sue. Breaking Out: Feminist Consciousness and Feminist Research. London: Routledge, 1983.

Stanley, Liz and Wise, Sue. Breaking Out Again: Feminist Ontology and Epistemology. London: Routledge, 1993.

Stegemann, W., Malina, B.J, and Theissen, G. The Social Setting of Jesus and the Gospels. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002.

Stein, Burton. A History of India: The Blackwell History of the World Series. Oxford: Basil Blackwell Publishers, 1998.

Stendahl, K. The Bible and the Role of Women. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1966.

Storkey, Elaine. What is Right with Feminism. London: SPCK, 1985.

Strauss, A and Corbin, J. Basics of Qualitative Research- Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. London: Sage, 1990.

Subramaniam, Mangala. The Power of Women’s Organizing: Gender, Caste, and Class in India. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2006.

Sugirtharajah, R S (ed.). Vernacular Hermeneutics. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999.

Suh, David Kwang-sun., Annette Meuthrath and Choe Hyondok (eds.). Charting Future of Theology and Theological Education in Asian Contexts. Delhi: ISPCK, 2004.

Sumithra, Sunand (ed). Doing Theology in Context. Bangalore: TBT, 1992.

Swinton, John and Mowat, Harriet. Practical Theology and Qualitative Research. London: SCM Press, 2006.

Sylvester, Christine. Feminist Theory and International Relations in a Post-Modern Era. Cambridge: University Press, 1994.

Symon, Gillian and Cassell, Catherine (eds.). Qualitative Methods and Analysis in Organizational Research: A Practical Guide. London: Sage Publications, 1998.

Thapar, R. A History of India Volume 1. London: Penguin, 1966.

Thapar, R. Early India: From Origins to AD1300. London: Allen Lane, 2002.

Taylor, W D. Internationalizing Missionary Training: A Global Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House,1991.

Teather, D (ed.) Consortia. Melbourne: University Press, 2004.

The Cornwall Collective, Your Daughters Shall Prophesy. New York: The Pilgrim Press, 1980.

The Mud Flower Collective. God’s Fierce Whimsy: Christian Feminism and Theological Education. New York: Pilgrim Press, 1985.

Thiselton, Anthony C. New Horizons in Hermeneutics: The Theory and Practice of Transforming Biblical Reading. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.

Thistlethwaite, S B. and Cairns, G F. (eds.). Beyond Theological Tourism: Mentoring as a Grassroots Approach to Theological Education. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis,1994.

Tinker, Melvin. Evangelical Concerns. Great Britain: MENTOR, 2001.

Tippett, Alan R. (ed.). God, Man and Church Growth. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1973.

Trible, Phyllis. God and the Rhetoric of Sexuality and Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narrative. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984.

Trible, Phyllis. Texts of Terror. London: SCM Press, 2002.

Tully, Mark and Masani, Zareer. India Forty Years of Independence. New York: Braziller, 1988.

Vithayathil, Thomas. Mahatma Gandhi and Promotion of Human Rights. Kerala: Mar Louis & Books Centre, 2004.

Volf, Miroslav, Kreig, Darmen and Kucharz, Thomas. (eds.). The Future of Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdman’s, 1996.

Vyhmeister, N J. Quality Research Papers: for Students of Religion and Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

Wadsworth, Yoland. Do It Yourself Social Research, 2^nd Edition. Australia: Allen & Unwin, 1997.

Wanak, L. Theological Education in the Philippine Context. Manila: PABATS & OMF Literature, 1993.

Ward, F. Lifelong Learning: Theological Education and Supervision. London: SCM, 2005.

Watkins, Kein. The Oxfam Education Report. Oxfam: 2000.

Webb, William J. Slaves, Women and Homosexuals-Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis. Illinois: IVP Academic, 2001.

Weiler, Kathleen. Women Teaching for Change: Gender, Class and Power. South Hadley: Bergin & Garvey Publishers, 1988.

Weinsheimer, Joel C. Gadamer’s Hermeneutics: A Reading of Truth and Method. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1985.

Wheeler, Barbara G and Farley, Edward (eds.). Shifting Boundaries: Contextual Approaches to the structure of Theological Education. Kentucky: John Knox Press, 1991.

Wilfred, Felix. Theological Education in India Today. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, 1985.

Wingate, Andrew. Does theological Education Make any Difference? Geneva: WCC, 2000.

Wisker, Gina. The Post Graduate Research handbook. New York: Palgrave, 2001.

Witherington, Ben III. Women in the Ministry of Jesus. Cambridge: University Press, 1984.

Woodbridge, John D and McComiskey, Thomas E. (eds.). Doing Theology in Today’s World: Essays in Honour of Kenneth S Kantzer. Michigan: Zondervan, 1991.

Woods, Edith (ed.). Education That Transforms. Bangalore: TBT, 1995.

Woodcock, G. Kerala: A Portrait of the Malabar Coast. London: Faber & Faber, 1967.

Wragg, E C. Conducting and Analysing Interviews. Rediguide:11. University of Nottingham School of Education, 1980.

Yesudas, R.N. The History of the London Missionary Society in Travancore 1806-1908. Trivandrum: Kerala Historical Society, 1980.