# Kretzmann Commission

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**The Kretzmann Commission**[1][2] was a 1969 commission of the [Andhra Christian Theological College](/source/Andhra_Christian_Theological_College), in [Hyderabad](/source/Hyderabad), Telangana, India. It was formed in 1969 by the college's board of governors to survey and study the task of theological education in the Churches related to the College Society.[clarification needed]

## Background

A couple of years before the Kretzmann Commission was constituted, [seminarians](/source/Seminarians) deliberated on the church's mission with special reference to [Andhra Pradesh](/source/Andhra_Pradesh) and [Telangana](/source/Telangana). In 1966, a graduate thesis was undertaken by a candidate studying at [Serampore College](/source/Serampore_College) entitled *The Hebrew Concept of 'Righteousness' as proclaimed by the 8th century Prophets and its implications for the Church's mission in [Andhra Pradesh](/source/Andhra_Pradesh)*[3]

## Ecclesiastical societies

These [ecclesiastical](/source/Ecclesiastical) societies related to the college society at that point of time (1969) included:[2]

- [South Andhra Lutheran Church](/source/South_Andhra_Lutheran_Church) Society
- [Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches](/source/Samavesam_of_Telugu_Baptist_Churches) Society
- [Methodist Church of South Asia](/source/Methodist_Church_in_India) Society
- [Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars](/source/Convention_of_Baptist_Churches_of_Northern_Circars) Society
- [Church of South India](/source/Church_of_South_India) Society (Dioceses of [Dornakal](/source/Diocese_of_Dornakal), [Krishna-Godavari](/source/Krishna-Godavari_Diocese), [Medak](/source/Diocese_of_Medak), and [Rayalaseema](/source/Diocese_of_Rayalaseema)[4]
- [Church of India, Pakistan, Burma, and Ceylon](/source/Church_of_India,_Pakistan,_Burma,_and_Ceylon) Society, Diocese of [Nandyal](/source/Diocese_of_Nandyal)[5]
- [Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church](/source/Andhra_Evangelical_Lutheran_Church) Society

## Commission members

- [The Rev.](/source/The_Reverend) M. L. Kretzmann, [D.D.](/source/D.D.), Secretary for planning, study and research, Department of World Missions of the [Lutheran World Federation](/source/Lutheran_World_Federation) (Convenor),
- [The Rev.](/source/The_Reverend) [K. Devasahayam](/source/K._Devasahayam), [M.A.](/source/Master_of_Arts), [B.D.](/source/Bachelor_of_Divinity) ([Hon.](/source/Hon.)), [S.T.M.](/source/S.T.M.), [Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church](/source/Andhra_Evangelical_Lutheran_Church),
- [The Rev.](/source/The_Reverend) [A. B. Masilamani](/source/A._B._Masilamani), [M.A.](/source/Master_of_Arts), [Th.M.](/source/Th.M.), [Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars](/source/Convention_of_Baptist_Churches_of_Northern_Circars),
- [The Rt. Rev.](/source/The_Right_Reverend) C. S. Sundaresan, [Bishop](/source/Bishop) - in - [Rayalaseema](/source/Diocese_of_Rayalaseema), [Church of South India](/source/Church_of_South_India)

## Findings

The commission members met during various points of time during the latter half of 1969,[2] first on 25 October 1969 to draw up a plan and again a month later during 26–29 November to summarize its findings. The members of the commission met at different places for visitation and consultation. As part of field visits,[2] the members had been to,

- Hindustan Bible Institute, [Chennai](/source/Chennai)
- [Mennonite Brethren Centenary Bible College](/source/Mennonite_Brethren_Centenary_Bible_College), [Shamshabad](/source/Shamshabad)
- [St. John's Regional Seminary (Theologiate)](/source/St._John's_Regional_Seminary), [Ramanthapur](/source/Ramanthapur)
- [Ramayapatnam](/source/Ramayapatnam) Baptist Theological Seminary, [Ramayapatnam](/source/Ramayapatnam)
- Lutheran Bible Training Institute, [Rajahmundry](/source/Rajahmundry)

In addition, the members of the commission also had special consultations[2] with [Canon Emani Sambayya](/source/Canon_Emani_Sambayya), Dr. P. David and Reveremd Erik W. Nielsen. As for the background material, the commission members accessed scholarly action reports relating[2] to the [Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church](/source/Andhra_Evangelical_Lutheran_Church) Society, especially the papers of [B. V. Subbamma](/source/B._V._Subbamma), [S. W. Schmitthenner](/source/S._W._Schmitthenner), [W. P. Peery](/source/W._P._Peery) and James A. Bergquist, the papers of the [Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College](/source/Board_of_Theological_Education_of_the_Senate_of_Serampore_College), the [National Council of Churches in India](/source/National_Council_of_Churches_in_India) and other papers. The commission took cognizance of the concerns of the church in [Andhra Pradesh](/source/Andhra_Pradesh) ([Telangana](/source/Telangana) included).

The commission also devised a structured questionnaire[2] for use among two kinds of respondents, the church leaders and the old students, during field visits.

The Commission report was tabled before the Board of Governors of the College Society which eventually led to the building[6] up of curriculum-intensive courses[2] and the equipping of the [seminarians](/source/Seminarians) with capacities to lead the [church](/source/Christian_Church) in [Andhra Pradesh](/source/Andhra_Pradesh) and [Telangana](/source/Telangana). Theological education took an upward rise with the Kretzmann Commission Report. The Kretzmann Commission was enabled with the assistance of the Theological Education Fund of the [World Council of Churches](/source/World_Council_of_Churches) and the Board of World Missions of the [Lutheran Church in America](/source/Lutheran_Church_in_America).[2] The secretary of the Board of Governors, [W. D. Coleman](/source/W._D._Coleman), on behalf of the board published 1,000[2] copies to be circulated among the Churches in [Andhra Pradesh](/source/Andhra_Pradesh) and [Telangana](/source/Telangana).

## Outcome

At the very outset, the commission recommended for [Indian](/source/Indian_people) teachers[2] to be placed in seminaries to take up theological curriculum, especially for the core subjects in theology. The commission further recommended that theological education broaden its horizons in keeping up with the changing times. Based on the recommendations of the commission, the [Andhra Christian Theological College](/source/Andhra_Christian_Theological_College) did away with the erstwhile [Licentiate in Theology](/source/Licentiate_in_Theology) programme and embarked on two graduate programmes,[2] a [Bachelor of Theology](/source/Bachelor_of_Theology) and a [Bachelor of Divinity](/source/Bachelor_of_Divinity). As part of the curriculum study, the commission members foresaw the need to include [worship](/source/Worship), social analysis, [interfaith](/source/Interfaith_dialogue), [gender](/source/Gender) concerns, [inculturation](/source/Inculturation), [psychology](/source/Psychology), language [usability](/source/Usability), personal devotion, [sociology](/source/Sociology) and many other interdisciplinary courses.[2] In the ensuing [decade](/source/Decade), the faculty members were able to upgrade their academics at national and international [universities](/source/Universities) and returned to teach in the college who included,

- [G. Solomon](/source/Gaddala_Solomon), [Th.M.](/source/Th.M.) ([Eastern](/source/Palmer_Theological_Seminary)),[7]
- K. Prasada Rao, [M.Th.](/source/M.Th.) ([Serampore](/source/Senate_of_Serampore_College_(University)))
- K. Wilson,[8] [Th.M.](/source/Th.M.) ([Duke](/source/Duke_University)), [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) ([Syracuse](/source/Syracuse_University))[9]
- [Victor Premasagar](/source/Victor_Premasagar), [M.A.](/source/Master_of_Arts) ([Cantab.](/source/Cantab.)), [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) ([St. Andrews](/source/St._Andrews_University))
- [William Powlas Peery](/source/William_Powlas_Peery), [M.A.](/source/Master_of_Arts) ([Vanderbilt](/source/Vanderbilt_University)), [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) ([Duke](/source/Duke_University))
- [S. Joseph](/source/Suppogu_Joseph), [M.Th.](/source/M.Th.) ([Serampore](/source/Senate_of_Serampore_College_(University)), [D.Th.](/source/D.Th.) ([Serampore](/source/Senate_of_Serampore_College_(University)))
- [Eric J. Lott](/source/Eric_J._Lott), [M.Litt.](/source/M.Litt.) ([Lancaster](/source/University_of_Lancaster)), [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) ([Lancaster](/source/University_of_Lancaster))
- [Ryder Devapriam](/source/Ryder_Devapriam), [Th.M.](/source/Th.M.) ([McCormick](/source/McCormick_Theological_Seminary)), [Th.D.](/source/Th.D.) ([GTS](/source/General_Theological_Seminary))
- [Muriel Spurgeon Carder](/source/Muriel_Spurgeon_Carder), [Th.M.](/source/Th.M.) ([Union](/source/Union_Theological_Seminary_in_the_city_of_New_York)), [Th.D.](/source/Th.D.) ([Toronto](/source/Toronto_University))
- [R. R. Sundara Rao](/source/R._R._Sundara_Rao), [M.A.](/source/Master_of_Arts) ([Venkateshwara](/source/Venkateshwara_University)), [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) ([Wisconsin](/source/Wisconsin_University))
- [R. Joseph](/source/Ravela_Joseph), [Th.M.](/source/Th.M.) ([Andover](/source/Andover_Newton_Theological_School)), [M.Th.](/source/M.Th.) ([Serampore](/source/Senate_of_Serampore_College_(University)))
- [M. Victor Paul](/source/M._Victor_Paul), [M.Th.](/source/M.Th.) ([Serampore](/source/Senate_of_Serampore_College_(University))), [Th.M.](/source/Th.M.) ([Luther](/source/Luther_Seminary)), [D.Min.](/source/D.Min.) ([Luther](/source/Luther_Seminary))
- K. David, [M.Th.](/source/M.Th.) ([Serampore](/source/Senate_of_Serampore_College_(University))), [M.A.](/source/Master_of_Arts) ([Calcutta](/source/University_of_Calcutta)), [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) ([Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh))[10]

Many of these Teachers also played a role at the [Senate of Serampore College (University)](/source/Senate_of_Serampore_College_(University)) and subsequent curriculum revisions at the University level. In 1985, a [Content analysis](/source/Content_analysis) of theological [syllabi](/source/Syllabi) being taught at the [Seminaries](/source/Seminaries) in the country was undertaken by the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, [Bangalore](/source/Bangalore). The [New Testament](/source/New_Testament) Scholar M. V. Abraham[11] and the [Old Testament](/source/Old_Testament) Scholar G. Babu Rao,[12] the former being associated with the Leonard Theological College, [Jabalpur](/source/Jabalpur) and the latter associated with the [Bible Society of India](/source/Bible_Society_of_India) in [Translations](/source/Translations) were given the task of finding out the extent of theological [syllabi](/source/Syllabi) using the [statistical](/source/Statistical) [tool](/source/Tool) of [Content analysis](/source/Content_analysis).[11]

Similarly, a research on the theological education in India was also undertaken by [Siga Arles](/source/Siga_Arles) in the 1990s at the [University of Aberdeen](/source/University_of_Aberdeen) and its findings were published with the title *Theological education for the mission of the church in India, 1947–1987: theological education in relation to the identification of the task of mission and the development of ministries in India, 1947-1987, with special reference to the Church of South India*[11] which was published in 1990 by Peter Lang, [Frankfurt](/source/Frankfurt).

## References

1. Raymond Brady Williams, *Christian Pluralism in the United States: The Indian Immigrant Experience*, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1996, p.291. [\[1\]](https://books.google.com/books?id=w1uk6zZQKzAC&dq=kretzmann%20commission&pg=PR6)

1. *Theological Education in Andhra Pradesh - The Kretzmann Commission Report*, Printed by A. Nageswara Rao at Saraswathi Power Press, Rajahmundry, 1970. [\[2\]](http://115.115.194.213/W27/Result/w27AcptRslt.aspx?AID=80030&xF=T&xD=0&nS=2) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170127143230/http://115.115.194.213/W27/Result/w27AcptRslt.aspx?AID=80030&xF=T&xD=0&nS=2) 27 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine

1. G. Babu Rao, *The Hebrew Concept of 'Righteousness' as proclaimed by the 8th century Prophets and its implications for the Church's mission in [Andhra Pradesh](/source/Andhra_Pradesh)*, an unpublished graduate thesis presented to the [Senate of Serampore College (University)](/source/Senate_of_Serampore_College_(University)) in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Divinity degree, Serampore, 1966.

1. The Diocese of Karimnagar came into existence only in 1978.

1. The Diocese of Nandyal was under the ecclesiastical purview of the Anglican Church and later the Church of North India at the time of formation of the College [\[3\]](https://books.google.com/books?id=O_hq6JUSLToC&dq=diocese+of+nandyal+church+of+north+india&pg=PA176)

1. James A. Bergquist, P. Kambar Manickam, *The Crisis of Dependency in Third World Ministries: A Critique of Inherited Missionary Forms in India*, Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1976, pp. 50, 63.[\[4\]](https://books.google.com/books?id=HPEcAAAAMAAJ&q=kretzmann)

1. G. Solomon, *The concept of Suffering in the Bible and in Hinduism*, Eastern University, King of Prussia, 1957.[\[5\]](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/13351098)

1. K. Wilson, *Culture and Conversion: An Analytical Study of the Interaction between Western Theology and Eastern Culture through the Christian Missions in the Indian Sub-Continent*, Syracuse University, Syracuse, 1972.[\[6\]](http://surface.syr.edu/rel_etd/54/)

1. Though Wilson returned to teach at the College after his doctoral studies, he preferred to teach [Philosophy](/source/Philosophy) at the state-run [Osmania University](/source/Osmania_University). *Indian Journal of Philosophic Studies*, Volume 1, Issue 1, 1974, p. 53.[\[7\]](https://books.google.com/books?id=y9JRs6SJyGMC&q=kothapalli+wilson)

1. ["Contributors (?)"](https://books.google.com/books?id=998XAQAAIAAJ&q=komaravalli+david). *University of Edinburgh Journal*. 1991.

1. Siga Arles, *Theological education for the mission of the church in India, 1947–1987: theological education in relation to the identification of the task of mission and the development of ministries in India, 1947–1987, with special reference to the Church of South India*, Peter Lang, Frankfurt, 1990. [\[8\]](https://books.google.com/books?id=7XnYAAAAMAAJ&q=siga+arles+theological+education)

1. G. Babu Rao, "Content Analysis of Theological Syllabi – Old Testament" in *Religion and Society*, Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore, 1985. [\[9\]](https://books.google.com/books?um=1&q=g.babu+rao+doctoral+studies&btnG=Search+Books)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kretzmann Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kretzmann_Commission) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kretzmann_Commission?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.