ICAATS: Reactions 002

While it is fine for a radically oriented theological seminary not to admit students who come from a conservative background, the theological radicals in India did not stop at that. This is totally different from what is seen the the world of learning.

Different schools of thought exist in the world of education and research, and they co exist happily in spite of the differing opinions. However, since the theological world is a more closely knit group, the radicals were not happy to co exist with theological conservatives.

Thus from the 1950s the theological radicals in India tried their best to stamp out theologically conservative institutions. This came in the form of academic boycott, social boycott, and even nasty writings againt conservative institutions in India.

The trend has now become worldwide. Theologically radical institutions cannot tolerate theologically conservative institutions.

• ICAATS: Reactions 001

ICAATS: Reactions

[ICAATS] As soon as certain evangelical and conservative missionaries decided to establish a (formal or informal) system for quality-guidance in the Indian theological world, there was great bickering and opposition from the theologically radical thinkers and radical seminaries.

Theological radicals in India were quick to realize that the evangelical Christian movement is likely to grow explosively in the free India, and that with that will come numerous evangelical seminaries. What is more, with some kind of a formal guidance in quality, they would soon overtake the dominance that the theological radicals were enjoying in the arena of Indian theological education.

Most of them stopped admitting students from evangelical seminaries into their advanced degree programs, and eventually they stopped admitting students of any type who hailed from an evangelical or conservative church. However, the people who conceived of ICAATS remained firm in their decision and went on guiding theological seminaries in an informal manner – for they realized that an informal setup would best serve the independent India.