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| Rev. Dr. Bastiaan Wielenga (1936 - 2015) |
Rev.
Dr. Bastiaan Wielenga, a German
missionary who opted for Indian citizenship, and a globally renowned Indian
Liberation theologian of our times passed away on 23rd Dec 2015. Among several commitments, he served the
Ecumenical Christian Centre, the
Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, and Tamilnadu
Theological Seminary, where he played a major role in founding the’ Centre for
Social Analysis’, and from where he retired as a Professor of Biblical Studies.
Dr.
Bastiaan Wielenga's contributions towards articulation of contextual
theologies, particularly Theology of the Poor and Indian Liberation Theology,
through the Centre for Social Analysis and Tamilnadu Theological Seminary in particular
and the Senate of Serampore College at large, are indeed remarkable.
Dr.
Bas authored several books including Towards
an Eco-just Society (1999), Understanding
Indian Society , co-authored with his wife Dr. Gabrielle Dietrich (1998), It is a long Road to Freedom: Perspectives
of Biblical Theology (1996), A
Commentary to Revelation (1995), Social
Movements: Towards a Perspective, co-authored with John Desrochers (1991),
and Introduction
to Marxism (1984). He was part of the editorial team that worked on Encyclopaedia of Marxism appointed by
the Russian Marxian Council.
His
has contributed a lot towards Indian Ecumenical Movement also. His Bible
Studies were instrumental in motivating the NCCI – Urban Rural Mission to
position prophetically. He was a great
teacher who lived by what he taught.
He
is survived by his wife Dr. Gabrielle Dietrich a renowned scholar and social
activist, daughter Karuna and son Prashad.
The
NCCI deeply mourns his demise and prays for the family to be filled with God’s
Peace and Grace.
"The question of liberation
is more urgent than ever, in Asia as elsewhere. Whether Christians will be able
to address the question will depend on their readiness to go against the tide
of Mammon, to turn to the Galilees of those who are excluded today and enter
into a common search to find how struggles for survival can become struggles
for life in its fullness."
- Bastiaan Wielenga
On
behalf of the Council
Rev.
Dr. Roger Gaikwad,
General
Secretary – NCCI
