Global InformationFedric Anilkumar information
Fedric Anilkumar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 July 1962 Kodagu,[1] Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Theologian |
| Ordained | 1986[1] |
| Writings | 1985, Kannada Christa Sankerthanegalu (in Kannada)[2] 2009, Symbolism or Idolatry? An appraisal of the use of the symbols in mission with special reference to Basel Mission in Karnataka, India, between 1834 and 1864[1] |
Congregations served | Church of South India Karnataka Southern Diocese |
Offices held | Pastor, Church of South India Society (1986-2004)[1] |
| Title | The Reverend Doctor |
Fedric Anilkumar is a Theologian who teaches[3] at the Karnataka Theological College,[4] Mangalore, a Seminary established in 1965[5] and affiliated to the nation's first[6] University, the Senate of Serampore College (University).
Anilkumar has researched on Christian symbolism with special reference to one of the Protestant Church Societies in Karnataka, the Basel Evangelical Mission, which has since unionized itself into the Church of South India. The subject of Christian symbolism is largely taken as Idolatry causing a mix-up of sorts. However, Anilkumar points out that Christian symbolism is distinct from Idolatry.[1]
Concerning Symbolism, the Theologian Louis La Ravoire Morrow drew out a secular standout as early as 1949,
Symbolism is essential to all kinds of religious worship. The Old Testament is full of it, forming the basis of our Christian symbolism, by which we apprehend through our senses a God-given and absolute beauty and truth.[7]
As such, Morrow wrote that the early Church also began using symbolism from times immemorial,
From earliest times the Church has made use of symbols, to foster devotion, or to stand for some mystery of the Faith that needed to be kept secret from pagans. For instance: the early Church used a fish to stand for Christ; a town, a ship, or a woman with uplifted arms to stand for the Church.[7]
As for the ambiguity in Christian symbolism, Morrow has explained that the Bible prohibits the worship of symbols but not the use of symbols as such.[7] In such a setting, Anilkumar's work has made inroads into the world of Christian symbolism and also digs out the perspectives of the Missionaries, the ones who brought Christianity to India and the other from the perspective of the Indian Christians whose culture and ethos is rich in tradition and rituals. Pioneer Theologians like D. S. Amalorpavadass have already addressed these issues through the Second Vatican Council which voted in favour of inculturation. Much like D. S. Amalorpavadass, Anilkumar points out that Christian symbolism had a distinct meaning, each pointing out to a Biblical event and as such it could not be identified with Idolatry.[1]
- ^ a b c d e f Fedric Anilkumar, Symbolism or Idolatry? An appraisal of the use of the symbols in mission with special reference to Basel Mission in Karnataka, India, between 1834 and 1864, KATHRI, Mangalore, 2011. [1]
- ^ Fedric Anilkumar, Kannada Christa Sankerthanegalu, Unpublished B. D. Thesis, Kolkata, 1985. Cited by H. R. Cabral, Missionaries and Carnatic Music in Reinhard Wendt (Edited), An Indian to the Indians?: On the Initial Failure and the Posthumous Success of the Missionary Ferdinand Kittel (1832-1903), Otto Harrossowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden, 2006, pp.255-264. [2]
- ^ Senate of Serampore College, Directory of Teaching Staff
- ^ KTC - Administrative Setup, Officers and Staff
- ^ Vijaya Kumar, Ecumenical Cooperation of the Missions in Karnataka (India), 1834-1989: A Historical Analysis of the Evangelistic Strategy of the Missions, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2005, p.132. [3]
- ^ UNESCO Structures of University Education in India, 1952
- ^ a b c Louis La Ravoire Morrow, My Catholic Faith, My Mission House, Kenosha, 1949, pp.410-411. [4]