As we all are surrounded with our own problems and so many things happening around us, many of you may not know Dr. Paul Joshua, an eminent Indian theologian and his death after more than an year long struggle with diabetic complications. At least now I want to inform to my friends and the world around me of his his greatness in theology and his passion to see his students to understand the issues in the Christian mission to the world.
I was not at all interested to listen anything at the beginning of the module on Contextual theology as i heard that he used to be very strict in grading, for e.g I heard just before the module that the highest mark he gave to the best student was 59.87%. It was difficult for me to understand that standard and my interest slowly faded away even before the module. But I was not able to sit in his class without listening anything. Everyday he brought something new to our thinking and made us to ponder over it. Within a week I became just opposite to my first day commitment and began to listen closely as his ideas got me thinking over the present day issues in the Christian mission work. His passion was always reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, but he carefully explained how we can make an appeal to the gospel without compromising the truth, that is the crux of his contextual theology. All my classmates would agree that how he made an impact in our thinking pattern and helped every one with special care. Academically he was one of the top scholars in SAIACS, but he never distanced himself with anyone, even to the service staffs.
Last year 2015, I met a fatal accident and had brain injury. After accident, my recovery was miraculous and purely God's provision. Because of the brain injury, i had many complications, one of it was memory problem. Even now, I was not able to remember who were with me in the hospital and not able to remember anything associated with it, except one. As I was coming out from some sort of test room, Dr. Paul and Sumi Joshua came in the opposite direction. He seemed to be tired and exhausted, but with a loving smile he held my hands and said, "Arputharaj, don't worry. Nothing will happen. I also admitted here for some days and recovering now. God will cure you." At that time I was not even able to recognize what he was saying." But his words were recorded in my mind and It was a tonic for me whenever I was in need. Such an encouraging words. The God who healed me of all the possible dangers of brain injury has a special and superior plan for Dr. Paul Joshua's home call.
Even when he was suffering with various complications and pains, he witnessed how he loved the Lord. It is very easy to say, "God loves you," and "I love God." Only the people around us can say that whether we love God or not. Every time he uttered "Jesus," it was always unbearable for us to see his pain and suffering. It was the witness of his faith and his love for the Lord. Till the end he guarded his faith and sowed the seeds of faith in many...no, no.... all of his students' life and thoughts. I wonder may be if he lived a ten more years, Indian Christianity could be blessed with his thoughts and works and he could be very popular even beyond theological and academic circles. We don't know the answer to the questions surrounding his home call, "why?" But one thing we can be sure, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15)" Now Dr. Paul Joshua is buried with the great hope we all have in Jesus Christ. But not his vision and his passion are buried, it all imbibed in his family and all the students and saints who encountered him in his and their life. Some time sooner or later the world will see the results that are already started to reflect in the mission field.
Dr Paul Joshua's full name is "Paul Joshua Bhakiyaraj." Here "Bhakiyaraj" a tamil name which means king of blessing. or a king in blessing. Truly he lived a life to bless others in Christ. R.I.P.
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