Bethel Bible College (BBC) is a near-ecumenical seminaryProspectus 2008-2009, Bethel Bible College, Shalome Nagar, Guntur 522 006. Page 3. located in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. It is affiliated to modern India's first University - Senate of Serampore College (University). Bethel admits students interested in pursuing theology. Succession of Principals 2003-2005 Bishop Peddi Victor Premasagar, CSI, Ph.D. (St.Andrews) 2005-2025 The Rev. Selvam Robertson, CNI, D.Th. (Serampore)
History Bethel Bible College was founded on November 4, 2000, by Gospel Missions of India, a registered Society under The Societies Registration Act, 1860, founded by The Rev. P. N. S. Chandra Bose, CSI. The institution existed since 1984, offering Diploma level programmes in theology. In year 2000, Bethel began with M.Div. courses accredited by Asia Theological Association (ATA).
University affiliation Over a period of time, the management felt the need to streamline the College by affiliating it with a recognised University and sought the guidance of Old Testament Scholar,G. Babu Rao, Content Analysis of Theological Syllabi – Old Testament in Religion and Society, Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, 3 September 1985. The Rev. G. Babu Rao, CBCNC,G. Babu Rao, Wisdom tradition and the Indian Parallels with special reference to Telugu literature in Reflections on Theology Today, ACTC, Hyderabad, 1990. who proposed affiliating Bethel with Senate of Serampore College (University), also providing leads to appoint suitable Theologians to take forward process of affiliation. Following his guidance, the management of Bethel took on board Bishop Peddi Victor Premasagar, CSI, a Cantabrigian and a Theologian of international repute in 2003. He led the affiliation process of Bethel with Senate of Serampore College (University) during tenure of The Rev. Dondapati Samuel Satyaranjan, IPC as Registrar of University. Bishop Premasagar led the College for three years until his death in 2005, which led to appointment of The Rev. Selvam Robertson, CNI, a Scholar in Vaishnavite Studies, who was then teaching at Serampore College, Serampore.
Memorial lectures and visitors In honour of its founding Principal Bishop Victor Premasagar, CSI and Founder The Rev. P. N. S. Chandra Bose, CSI, Bethel conducts annual memorial lectures in their honour on December 1 and 9th, respectively.
Bethel has had notable personalities visit its campus in Guntur, ranging from Bishop T. B. D. Prakasa Rao, CSI, The Rev. Mani Chacko, CSI, The Rev. Y. T. Vinaya Raj, MMTSC and other Theologians.
Academics Affiliating university The Senate of Serampore College (University) is the firstUNESCO Structures of University Education in India, 1952 modern University founded in Indian sub-continent in 1827, predating Universities of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta by 29 years. The University was founded by Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) in 1818 by The Rev. William Carey, BMS, Joshua Marshman, BMS, and William Ward, BMS. In 1827, the College was granted the status of a University through a Royal Charter granted by Kingdom of Denmark. In 1918, the Government of Bengal reinforced the University with the passing of The Serampore College Act, 1918. Courses listed by the University are recognised by University Grants Commission (India). A degree holder with B.D. is eligible to pursue M.A. in the discipline of Philosophy in any University in the world.Foreign Universities Recognizing Serampore Degrees for Higher Studies
Courses offered As per Senate of Serampore College (University) stipulations, Bethel offers a variety of diploma, undergraduation and postgraduation programmes in the discipline of theology, both in residential and distance modes. Except for Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip. C.S.), which is open to people of all faiths, the rest of the courses are for Churchgoers with requisite qualifications as mandated by the University from time to time. +Courses at BBC Course NameDuration Mode Academic requirementOther requirementAcademic Authority Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.)2/4/5 yearsResidential//B.Th./B.C.S.ChurchgoersSeramporeBachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S.)4 yearsDistance/Dip.C.S.ChurchgoersSeramporeMaster of Christian Studies (M.C.S.)2 yearsDistanceB.D./B.C.S.ChurchgoersSeramporeDiploma in Christian Education (Dip. C.E.)1 yearDistanceIntermediateChurchgoersSeramporeDiploma in Contextual Theologies (Dip. C.T.)1 yearDistanceIntermediateChurchgoersSeramporeDiploma in Christian Studies (Dip. C.S.)1 yearDistanceIntermediateOpen to people of all faithsSerampore
Faculty Members Faculty members of Bethel represent diverse linguistic cultures and Church traditions from across the country. While most of the faculty are postgraduates (M.Th.), some of them earned doctorates (D.Th.). +Present active faculty SubjectName GenderTradition Highest degreeOld TestamentChitti Babu ChilaparapuMBaptistM.Th. (Serampore)Old TestamentA. Koteswara RaoMPentecostalM.Th. (Serampore)New TestamentReji GeorgeMCharismaticD.Th. (Serampore)New TestamentK. Keziah GloryFMethodistM.Th. (Serampore)History of ChristianityN. S. J. SudhirMLutheranM.Th. (Serampore)History of ChristianityNeuto KihoMBaptistM.Th. (Serampore)Systematic TheologyP. A. SethMCharismaticD.Th. (Serampore)Systematic TheologySantosh Kumar SinghMUnitingM.Th. (Serampore)Systematic TheologyLetgougun HaokipMBaptistM.Th. (Serampore)ReligionsSelvam RobertsonMUnitingD.Th. (Serampore)ReligionsDaisy Solomon Kumari PallikondaFIndependentM.Th. (Serampore)CommunicationP. K. ReejaFCharismaticM.Th. (Serampore)CounsellingRaju DunnaMLutheranM.Th. (Serampore)
Library Bethel has a holding of over 20,000 books and journals for reference and borrowing among its students. The library also houses a personal library collection of its first Principal, Peddi Victor Premasagar, ranging from theological treatises to language learning materials in Latin, Biblical Greek and Biblical Hebrew. The library facilities are overseen by a qualified Librarian led by Smt. Selin Rani-Robertson.
Notable faculty and alumni Notable faculty Bethel has had many faculty members over the years.
Notable alumni The Rev. Gifta Angline Kumar, CNI
References