Interview with Rev.Dr. Jacob Thomas

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A Self – CrItique with Strong Foot Steps.

“I would like to be known as a human being rather than as a theologian or as a Pastor”, says Rev. Dr. Jacob Thomas, Senior Faculty and Head of the department of Theology and Ethics, Gurukul Lutheran Theological College Chennai and the Senior Pastor of the Marthoma Church, in an interview at his residence.
Rev. Dr. Jacob Thomas, a Thelogian, Teacher, Pastor,Visionary lives in Gurukul Campus with his wife Aleyamma Thomas and mother Marykkutty. He said that "I still believes in the realisation of a world where there is no hierarchical and structural boundaries”.58 year old Indian Christian Theologian still believes that a ‘New Heaven and Earth’ is possible through Responsible Freedom and selfless involvement in the Kingdom Movement with God.
A man with high academic qualifications and theological and Pastoral exposure explicitly mentioned that, “my main critique is myself and I always feel an inner struggle between my vision and real life”. He obtained his MA in history with high marks and desired to become a college professor but challenged by the lives of Fr. Damien and Mother Teresa and took the great challenge to serve the humanity. He got his Phd in Thelogy and Ethics from Union Biblical Seminary, Newyork. In his conversation he said, as a self critique, “after my 31years’ ministry I realize that whatever I deicided to do in my ministry could not be done because of my own limitations”. These are the words of a scholar who is having a strong self- consciousness.
As a teacher he served in Calcutta Bishop’s College, Kottayam Mar Thoma Seminary and Chennai Gurukul Theological College.He was greately influenced by the theological visions of,Albert Scheitzer,Chenchaiah, M M.Thomas,Swamy Aroopananda Franscis Xavier and many others. Writings of the social thinkers like Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Nietzche also illumined his thinking and helped to see Fellow beings in a better way.Till 1990’s he strongly believed that Marxist ideology can bring social change and involved in politics with left parties.But the failures of Marxism in Soviet Russia and other countries made a shift in his political involvement.He realized that nobody can impose their ideology on others by force.Only through willfull acceptance and commitment towards an ideology brings change.He analysed that failures of different societies or communities are not the problems of ideologies and communities but the inherent sinfulness of the humanity.
Dr.Jacob Thomas authored many books including, ‘Human Freedom and Indian Culture’, ‘New trends in Thelogy’ and ‘Ethics of a world community’.He wrote scholarly articles in many journals.Now he is very passionate in writing articles in Web Blogs.He owns 70 blogs but most of them are kept very personal.When he look back he realise that that there is a shift in his thelogical stands. “Shift in thelogical thinking and action is a reality.Most of the theologians experienced this shift”,he added. And also he could see the imperfections and failures in life.He said, “ understanding of truth(what we believe today as truth) is not ultimate.What we believe today as truth may be wrong after a period of time.But that doesn’t mean that we should be lazy today.We should faithfull and genuine to what we believe today then only we could move in our faith journey with Christ ”.

He is a critique of many exclusive claims of the Christians. According to him, “usually we impose our (mis) understanding of truth as ultimate truths on others. And we forget to practice love and respect among ourselves”. According to him, “by exclusive claims we create a closed community instead of an open community. We need a better understanding of ourselves to build an inclusive community. As Christians we are truth searchers not the truth holders”. He asserted that, “I don’t have hesitation to visit any church or temple irrespective of denomination and religion”.
In his theological journey he experienced many challenges. His strong stands, theological positions and genuine criticisms made him a rebel in the eyes of many, including church leaders. He never tried to please anybody to safeguard any personal interests or to play power politics in the church. He believes that, “whatever position I got is God’s gift and it is more than enough and I don’t have any other ambition left unfulfilled in my life”. He would like to spend the remaining 7years in his active service in Parishes. “I always remember my Father’s words, ‘don’t be greedy but satisfy with whatever you have,’ and I still believe in that”. His eyes and words spoke a lot about his conviction and attitude.
As a lover of community living he started his ministry in Satna, one of the Ashrams of the Marthoma Church. Late Thomas Mar Athanasius, then the Bishop of the Marthoma Church encouraged him to enter in to the ministry of the church.He did his B.D at Bishop’s College, Calcutta during the period 1974-77. He was ordained in the year 1977 and served the parishes like Newyork, Kayamkulam, Ranni, Allahabad Vadasserikkara etc.He got two children,son Jennis got married to Reena and staying in Chennai with his wife and daughter Jeena studying in U.S.A. His wife Aleyamma Thomas also with him always to support his Ministry and Teaching. He taught many students through his words and life and witnessed the growth of many. He encouraged them by giving fellowship and moulded them by creative criticisms and dynamic leadership. He is not merely a teacher but a fellow traveller with the students in their theological journey and faith formation. He guided many DTh, MTh and B.D students in their thesis writings and helped many in their theological endeavors.
Even though he is one of the Senior Faculty members of the Senate of Serampore with great experience and acceptance, he is simple and approachable. Students of Gurukul had no hesitation to say, “he is always in the Campus, Library, Chapel and in the class rooms with a pleasant smile, powerful words and strong foot steps of a visionary”. When I said thanks to him for his time for the interview, he replied with a smile, “ give me a copy of your report before I leave from Gurukul, so that I could remember Gurukul Community”. After his 9 years fruitful ministry at Gurukul he will be posted in one of the Parishes of the Marthoma Church in2009April.After the interview I left him at his residence and on the way to my residence, then I also started love the community living and started to criticize myself. See, how infectious his personality is.



(This is the report of the interview with Rev.Dr.Jacob Thomas.Interview conducted at his residence on 22-11-2008 at 8 pm. by Sajeev Thomas,MTh.Com.1)