Mr Stavan Narendra John, a SAIACS alumnus (MTh, Theology), joined SAIACS as a faculty-in-training in the Theology Department in 2015. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Theology from OCMS/Middlesex University, UK. His thesis focuses on Thomas F. Torrance’s Theology of the Ascension…
His area of interest within theology is Christology, particularly the Humanity of Christ; his Master’s thesis focused on Karl Barth’s contribution to the debate about Christ’s fallen (but sinless) human nature. His PhD studies, in some ways, carries on the discussion on a related but underexplored area within theology: the humanity of the ascended Christ. Other theological interests range from the interface between theology, sports, and spiritual formation to east-west dialogical theology. He has recently published an article entitled “Chalcedon and Indian Christologies” in Modern Reformation 30 (2021): 9-13. He also presented a workshop in the 2020 T. F. Torrance Virtual Workshop-Retreat entitled, “The Ascended Jesus is Still a Human with Flesh and Bones in T. F. Torrance’s Onto-relational Christology.”
Stavan is an avid cricket fan. He is married to Christina, who is also a graduate of SAIACS (MDiv, Theology).
Areas of Focus:
- Christology
- Ecclesiology
- Systematic Theology
- Theology of Thomas F. Torrance
Education:
- PhD Candidate, OCMS/Middlesex University, UK
- MTh in Theology, SAIACS
- MDiv, Asbury Theological Seminary
Mrs. Salome Namrata Simeon, an alumnus of SAIACS (MA, Theological Studies), serves as Faculty in Training in the Department of Practical Theology and Counselling, while she pursues her PhD in Psychology from Christ University. She joined SAIACS as a teaching trainee in 2015. Before joining SAIACS, she was involved in counselling. Her doctoral research aims to explore the experiences and the social relationships of first-time mothers who are transitioning to motherhood. Following this study and research, she hopes to be able to focus her counselling work in the area of perinatal care. She is passionate about caring for women as they journey into motherhood…
Her hobbies include working on small creative projects, road trips with the family, exploring the beauty of the natural world through travel, watching nature and ecology documentaries, and baking with her pre-schooler.
Salome is married to Philip Yalla, also a graduate of SAIACS (MTh, Old Testament). Together they have a three-year-old son, Elijah.
Areas of Focus:
- Psychology
- Counselling young adults, women, and families
- Research in Social Sciences
- Motherhood Studies
Education:
- PhD Candidate, Christ (Deemed to be) University, Bangalore
- MPhil in Psychology, Christ (Deemed to be) University, Bangalore
- MSc in Counselling Psychology, University of Madras, Institute of Distance Education, Chennai
- MA in Theological Studies, SAIACS
- BSc in Psychology, University of Madras, Women’s Christian College, Chennai
Mr Prince Kumar Tamilarasan, a SAIACS alumnus (MDiv and MTh, Old Testament), serves as Faculty in Training in the Department of Biblical Studies (Old Testament). He is also a doctoral candidate; his research involves a comparative study of Proverbs and Thirukkural. He has contributed to the South Asia Study Bible and has written an article for a multivolume book on diaspora. Both projects are yet to be published. His research interest is in the oft neglected area of wisdom literature and its significance for Biblical theology…
Besides academics, he loves playing sports, teaching kids, and hosting friends at home. Prince is married to Annie Thomas, who is also a graduate of SAIACS (MTh, Old Testament) and teaches biblical studies for the SAIACS Bible for All online programme. They are blessed with two children, Divya Mana Prince and Daniel Tamilarasan Prince.
Area of Focus:
- Proverbs
- Qoheleth
- Biblical Theology
- Hebrew Grammar and Exegesis
Education:
- PhD Candidate, SAIACS
- MTh in Old Testament, SAIACS
- MDiv in Old Testament, SAIACS
- MPhil in English literature, Annamalai University, Chidambaram
Mr Joshua George completed both his MDiv and MTh (Pastoral Theology and Counselling) at SAIACS and currently serves as Faculty in Training in the department of Practical Theology and Counselling while completing his PhD, entitled: A Study of The Attitude of Urban Indian Millennials Towards Preaching in English-Speaking Churches in Bangalore Using Practical Theology…
He teaches classes in critical thinking, research writing skills, theology of church practices, an introduction to pastoral theology and care, and the integration between psychology and theology.
He was a Tearfund Asia region consultant in a global research project on issues in gender theology in 2018. He formerly worked in human resources in Accenture and TCS.
His non-academic interests include science-fiction (books and movies), cooking, reading, and playing cricket. Joshua is married to Priyanka, and they have three children, Joel, Anaiya, and Viaan.
Areas of Focus:
- Practical / Pastoral Theology
- Church Practices
- Interdisciplinary Research
- Research & Writing Skills
Education:
- PhD Candidate in Practical Theology at Malyon College, Brisbane, part of the Australian College of Theology (ACT).
- MTh in Pastoral Theology and Counselling, SAIACS
- MDiv Pastoral Theology and Counselling, SAIACS
- BSc Life Sciences and Biochemistry, St. Xaviers College, University of Mumbai
Mrs Karishma Paul, a SAIACS alumnus (MDiv and MTh, New Testament), serves as Faculty in Training in the Department of Biblical Studies (New Testament), while pursuing her PhD studies on the Historical Jesus from an Asian perspective…
Before joining SAIACS, she worked in the rural belt of Koraput district with Asha Kiran Society for three years. Alongside teaching at the school, Karishma received training in editing theological works with Langham Publishing.
Her area of research for her MTh thesis was on the Historical Jesus in the Gospel of Mark through the method of Memory Studies and Traditio-historical perspective. Currently, she is engaged in teaching Introductory and Intermediate Greek.
Karishma is married to Samuel Johnson, who works as a Product Consultant in an IT firm. Together they enjoy watching stand-up comedy and spending time with family.
Area of Focus:
- Historical Jesus
- Synoptic gospels, particularly Gospel of Mark
- Memory Studies
- Asian hermeneutics of the gospels
Education:
- PhD Candidate, SAIACS
- MTh (New Testament), SAIACS
- MDiv, SAIACS
- Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Psychology and Journalism at St. Joseph’s College for Women, Vizag