Solomon Islands theological student Edward Kolohae graduated with a doctorate in theology at the Pacific Theological College (PTC) in Suva, Fiji, last Thursday.
Dr Kolohai graduated with Doctor of Philosophy for his thesis on “The sharing of your Faith” during the college’s 47th graduation.
His thesis consisted of many aspects but the two main ones are based on helping people to understand the texts in the bible and its meaning and how to translate the meaning into contemporary context of Solomon Islands.
Dr Kolohae said in his PhD study he focused on the New Testament and how to translate it into the context of Solomon Islands, especially in the context of his village of Luaniua in Malaita Outer Island.
“As a man of Luaniua, I translated the meaning into the context of artifacts where artifacts in some ways are dead but it illustrates a model for us to work upon.
“I see that this kind of model can help the church to see its structures and ensure people are embraced together and feel that God is with them,” he said.
Dr Kolohae believes that his thesis will help the churches from Pacific denominations to go deeper to understand the text in the bible and its meaning.
He said he was honoured to be the first Solomon Islander to graduate with Doctor of Philosophy at PTC and he wants to attribute his achievement to God, his family, the Church of Melanesia and the college.
He said it was hard work for him and what really drives him to pursue his doctoral studies was his involvement in translating the bible to his own language.
Dr Kolohae, who is now the deputy principal of Kohimarama Theological College in west Guadalcanal, said his achievement does not come easy.
He recalled that when he started his education during the colonial days he started off well but unfortunately he dropped out in his second year at secondary.
From there he made his way up from being an untrained teacher from 1983-1992, graduated with diploma in theology at Kohimarama Theological College in 1995, and joined Solomon Islands Translation Advisory Group (SITAG), as a bible translator.
He was later awarded a scholarship to study for his PhD.
Another Solomon Islands theologian who also graduated at the ceremony was Rev. Stephen Vinale Kapu from Isabel Province.
He graduated with Master of Theology in church history.
Kapu said his achievement was not an individual work.
“There are a lot of people who are behind to give moral support and advices that contributed to his success which I want to dedicate it back to them,” he said.
He said studying the history of Church is important because without history we cannot set directions to know what is ahead of us.
“History also connects our roots and where we begin,” he added.
Twenty five theological students from various denominations from Pacific countries graduated on Thursday.
CHARLES KADAMANA
in Suva
