Product Information
Authors / Bong Rin Ro, Ken Gnanakan and Joseph Shao
Editors / Bruce Nicholls, Theresa Roco Lua, and Julie Belding
ISBN / 9789719480341
Publisher / Asia Theological Association
Publication Date / 2010
Format / Paperback (Soft Cover)
Language / English
Number of Pages / 188
Dimensions / 21.6 x 14 x 1.4 cm
Weight / 310 g
Product Description
As global, political, economic and religious power moves towards Asia, God has raised up the Asia Theological Association (ATA) to become one of the region’s most influential movements for transforming the training of Christian leaders.
In the early 1970s outstanding theologians and educators, Drs Saphir Athyal and Bong Rin Ro, along with other Asian and Western missionary educators, pioneered what is now the largest association of theological institutions in Asia, the Middle East and the South Pacific.
Three of ATA's General Secretaries, Drs Bong Ro, Ken Gnanakan and Joseph Shao joined forces to write this 40-year history. Introduced by Ben Pwee and Bruce Nicholls, the story unfolds against a backdrop of ecumenical theology which reached its nadir in the 1970s.
Bong Ro's cry, "Train Asians in Asia" is being fulfilled. We see fewer Asian scholars going to the West for post-graduate training and not returning. The Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST) has centres in Japan, the Philippines, and SE Asia, with other soon to be added. More and more theological institutions are seeking ATA accreditation and enjoying its Value Added Services. As well as sponsoring influential consultations and producing publications of all kinds, ATA has helped to pioneer Theological Education by Extension (TEE), and now distance learning programs, for thousands of mission-minded Christians. This book will inspire all who read it to commit themselves to Christ's commission to bring his kingdom on earth.
Contents
Introduction - The History of ATA: Personal Reflections (Bruce Nicolls)
Part I: History of ATA, 1970-1990 (Bong Rin Ro)
Part II: History of ATA, 1990-2000 (Ken Gnanakan)
Part III: History of ATA, 2000-2010 (Joseph Shao)
Looking Ahead - Reaffirming Our Founding Vision for a New Era (Benjamin Pwee)