Contact Information:
Phone: +91 9539475507
E-mail: thompson@ctsn.edu.in
Biography:
Professor Sam Thompson earned a B.A. in English Language and Literature from Kerala University, Trivandrum, in 1995; He earned his B.D. from United Theological College, Bangalore, in 2001; his M.Th. in Christian Social Ethics in 2008; and his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 2016.
Dr. Thompson is additionally qualified with a Diploma of Christian Education from the Child Evangelism Fellowship in Bangalore, in 1996; and with a Certificate for having completed the Course for Christian Conciliators, with Peace Maker Ministries, Colorado, in 2003.
He has served the Church in the past as Missionary to Nepali and Bhutanese refugee immigrants in St. Louis, Missouri (2012-2016); as Pastor and school manager at Zoarhill Lutheran Church, Trivandrum (2008-2010); as pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Trivandrum (2001-2006); and has experience working among street children in Bangalore and Mumbai, and Hijiras in Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai (1997-2001). He has served on the faculty of CTSN since June 2016. Since October 2021, he is on leave from CTSN to serve at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton.
Dr. Thompson is married and has one daughter and one son.
Courses taught:
Theology of Martin Luther
Introduction to Christian Theology
Introduction to Christian Theologies in India
Introduction to Christian Doctrines
Introduction to Christian Social Ethics
Justice Peace and Overcoming Violence: Biblical and Ethical Perspectives
Science and Religion
Lutheran Worship and Liturgy
Theological English
Study Methods
Research Interests:
Calling of the Church in the Public Square
Science and Religion
Relating Christian faith to a Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious Context
Cross-Cultural Missions
Publications:
“The Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy and Its Significance to Christian Neophytes in the Indian Context,” Concordia Theological Journal, Volume 1, No.2 (November 2018).
“‘Already and Not Yet’ Eschatological Dialectic and its Implication to Christian Faith and Praxis,” Concordia Theological Journal , Volume 1, No.1 (November 2017).
‘Saccidananda and the Trinity: Hindu-Christian Conversations on the Supreme Reality’, Lutheran Mission Matters, Volume XXV, No. 1 Issue 50 ( May 2017).
‘Reaching Out to the Non-Baptized Believers: Missiological Implications from a Lutheran Perspective’, Missio Apostolica 22, no. 2 (2014).
Evolving An Ethical Critique In Relation To The Leadership Crisis Of The India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) With Particular Reference To The Trivandrum Synod. Master’s in Theology Thesis. United Theological College, 2008.
The Cult of Hijras: A Challenge to Christian Mission. Bachelor of Divinity Thesis, United Theological College, 2001.
‘The Social Responsibility of the Church in Society’ (in Malayalam), Lutheran Shabdham, (2000).