Samuel Amirtham (1932-2017) was a dedicated pastor, visionary, enthusiastic teacher, engaging preacher, efficient organiser and administrator and a loyal churchman. He developed a passion for the Bible and engagement with the society. His charismatic leadership found concrete expression when he built up the Tamilnadu Theological Seminary as its new Principal, directed the Programme on Theological Education at the WCC and gave outstanding leadership as bishop in South Kerala Diocese of the CSI.
The articles in this book narrate the stories of his involvement and initiatives vouching for the fact that he was truly A Rare Inspiration!
Rev. Dr. Israel Selvanayagam, after long years of pastoral ministry and teaching in seminaries, both in India and England, is a supernumerary of the British Methodist Church. Apart from his own, he has collaborated with Amirtham in number of publications both in Tamil and English. Earlier, in 2007 he produced a huge volume of Samuel Amirtham's Living Theology. This volume fulfils Amirtham's last wish!
1. Rev Dr Margret Kalaiselvi, Principal, Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Madurai I am glad to write this foreword on Sam Annan's life and contributions to the theological world.
Rt Rev. Dr Samuel Amirtham, known as Sam Anna, was a 'Sahaptham' (era) and a legendary leader who is remembered for the past 53 years in the theological world. His initiatives and perspective in the theological curriculum are very challenging and contextual. He developed many scholars to continue the legacy of Tamilnadu Theological Seminary. The leadership model he promoted is unique and participatory. The team spirit and teamwork are his secrets to success. He loved nature and maintained the TTS campus as a green oasis in the midst of a concrete jungle with constant noise.
He supported women's causes and encouraged women faculty members. I do remember Rev. Dr Padmasini Caleb, Rev. Dr Gabriele Dietrich, Dr Elinor Jackson, Margaret Harris, Rev. Florence Robinson who were a few scholars who stood with him to promote women to study theology.
His contribution for teaching pedagogy is adopted in many theological colleges even now. The Action Reflection Process was promoted and integrated by Sam Annan. The students get experience to various situations. The playing experience change them to further reflect and know more about God and God's involvement in human history.
I thank God for Sam Annan's life and ministry. I also thank Lily Akka the wife of Sam Annan. She is an equally dynamic and creative person; she carries herself and expresses herself through her paintings. I had the chance of seeing them once. Until then I did not know she could create such beautiful paintings. She found her world and enjoyed her life with Sam Annan's challenging ministry at various levels.
Sam Annan always believed in group learning and exploring knowledge about God by the experience of the suffering masses, the poor and downtrodden and the needy.
Let his light be on the path and guide to all of us.
I congratulate the authors of chapters of this valuable volume, most of whom carry the legacy; also the editor, Annan Israel Selvanayagam, who was one of the outstanding students of TTS and a trustworthy colleague and friend of Annan Sam Amirtham.
May this book inspire the readers by the life and ministry of one of the greatest gifts of the Indian church.
Samuel Amirtham (1932-2017) was a dedicated pastor, visionary, enthusiastic teacher, engaging preacher, efficient organiser and administrator and a loyal churchman. It was not without reason that a well-known author G. David Milton chose the title 'A Saint and a Socialist' for his article on his extraordinary ability to imagine and initiate new programmes for the sake of the liberating gospel (The New Indian Express, Thiruvananthapuram, 6.3.2004).
From a teacher, principal and colleague to an affectionate younger brother (thambi) and friend, Sam Annan has guided me a long way, encouraging and chiding, and it is a joy to have worked with him for over four decades. Without his asking, to his surprise, I produced a huge volume Samuel Amirtham's Living Theology and translated and edited (his) its supplement on Modern Catechism (2007), presenting him in a function in the Kanyakumari Diocesan Community Hall. He read the first more than once and fed back saying it was a boost for him while he was struggling with his ill health. I too had an enormous satisfaction that I did something greatly appropriate and relevant which also expressed my gratitude and love. But it was not the end, and about our continued collaboration in writing I have detailed in my chapter in this volume. Also, certain sections are reproduced or referred to from the Living Theology at appropriate points, though I have been careful not to repeat much.
Then there was a poignant moment that obligated with command and affection the writing/editing of this volume. After finishing holiday, just before returning to England, to say good-bye I and my wife Gnana Leelal visited the Amirthams on 26th July 2017. Instantly Sam Annan appeared from his room on a wheelchair and by a sign asked me to go to his study and opened the filing cabinet and pointed to some files and asked me in a feeble voice to write his biography with a special focus on his initiatives and projects. I said that it required extensive research, and he should find an expert in biography. But pointing out his finger towards me he insisted that I should do. Finally, I said that I would try but I may be critical of his certain actions. He allowed this with a wave of his hand. In any case, he was already fond of using phrases like 'critical friends and 'loyal rebels!""
After two months he passed on to infinite intimacy with the Eternal I am. With full time ministry and pending writing works (including those 'in collaboration with him'), my time for collection of materials was limited. Whatever I could find in his study relevant to this work I collected (nothing in order!). Detailed accounts of certain projects were not available for my access. 1 had to be satisfied with bits and pieces which could be stitched together apart from the articles written by my former students and friends. For clarification and pieces of information to fill the gaps I had to repeatedly approach Lily Akka, and her contribution and encouragement has been beyond any measure. I sent the first draft to the Amirthams for factual verification. There was overall approval and appreciation. As Sam Annan specifically mentioned about focusing on his projects ('initiatives and involvements'). I thought this book represents them best as they have been written by those who were personally involved in them. However, I shared Arun's desirability of a monograph, more objective, concise and comprehensive, that would fulfil the requirements of a standard biography. At the same time, we agreed that in future such production would be possible with more research, planning and expertise. In any case, I made considerable improvement on the first draft with some additions. Also, I did not want to delay the publication any longer.
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