1929–2024 · Priest, biblical teacher and author
ഫാ. ഡോ. ടി. ജെ. ജോഷ്വാ — മലങ്കര സഭാ ഗുരുരത്നം
Fr. Dr. T. J. Joshua served the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church as a priest, preacher, author and teacher. Honoured as Malankara Sabha Gururatnam, he taught at the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Kottayam from 1954, helping form generations of clergy, including Catholicoi and Metropolitans. The Diocese of UK-Europe and Africa remembers him as a deeply respected teacher and orator. Read the diocese’s July 2024 remembrance (PDF).
Early life and vocation
He was born on 13 February 1929 to John and Rachel of the Thekkinethu family at Konnappara, Pathanamthitta. After his early schooling at Konni, he studied at CMS College, Kottayam, and earned a B.A. in economics from Union Christian College, Aluva. His theological education took him to Bishop’s College, Kolkata, and Union Theological Seminary, New York. He was ordained a priest in 1956. Diocesan biographical account (PDF).
Education and teaching timeline
- 1954: Completed his Bachelor of Divinity at Bishop’s College, Calcutta (now Kolkata), and began teaching at the Orthodox Seminary.
- 1960: Earned a Master of Sacred Theology in New Testament at Union Theological Seminary, New York.
- 1974: Undertook research at the Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem.
These milestones are recorded in the author biography accompanying In the Fullness of Time. That account also records his service as the Seminary’s vice-principal and as vicar of St. Paul’s Church, Pallom. Author biography in the Divyabodhanam publication (PDF).
A teacher for clergy and lay people
His work extended from the seminary classroom to the wider Church. The publisher’s introduction to Exhortations of the Apostles records his service as Professor of New Testament and vice-principal, Director General of the Orthodox Sunday School Association of the East, Director of Divyabodhanam and an editorial board member of Malankara Sabha magazine. Through preaching, study classes and writing, he helped make biblical learning accessible beyond formal theological education. Publisher’s introduction and preface (PDF).
Selected books and biblical studies
- In the Fullness of Time: Gospels and Acts—An Introduction (PDF) — published in English in 1986 as an adaptation of his Malayalam Prakasathilekku. It introduces the New Testament’s background, the four Gospels and Acts.
- Exhortations of the Apostles: Epistles of the New Testament—A Study (PDF) — a companion study covering the apostolic letters, Pauline teaching, Revelation and questions of Christian life.
Other works listed by Divyabodhanam include In the Holy Land, Prayers of St Paul, From Water and Spirit, Freedom in Christ, I Was Sick, Face to Face with Death and Thoughts for Today. Selected works listed by the publisher (PDF).
Remembrance and legacy
Fr. Dr. T. J. Joshua died on 20 July 2024. His long ministry is remembered through the clergy he taught, the readers he guided and the continued availability of his biblical study materials. Diocesan remembrance (PDF).