Dalit theology in the twenty-first century : discordant voices, discerning pathways

Has Dalit Theology reached an impasse since its early burst of creative energy in the late eighties and early nineties? Transcending the boundaries of academic disciplinarity, this volume underscores new directions and concerns of contemporary Dalit Theology. The essays challenge the several stereotypical assumptions and re-examine the ways in which Dalit realities are imagined, interpreted, and circulated in different ecclesial communities across India. They advocate new frameworks and methodologies for understanding Dalit Theology and also raise subversive questions arising out of subaltern experiences. The volume highlights how–despite its proud entry into the post-colonial, politically democratic, twenty-first century–India continues to straddle structural inequalities and functional hierarchies based on its age-old caste system. It also looks at various Dalit, movements that struggle against insidious forms of caste-, class-, ethnicity-, and religion-based violence and violation. Contributors Sathianathan Clarke - Geevarghese Mor Coorilos - Joseph Prabhakar Dayam - L. Jayachitra - Anderson H.M. Jeremiah - Lalruatkima - Deenabandhu Manchala - Monica Jyotsna Melanchthon - Prasuna Gnana Nelavala - Surekha Nelavala - Philip Vinod Peacock - Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar - Peniel Jesudason Rufus Rajkumar - Roja Singh - Y.T. Vinayaraj Contributed Articles Presented At A Kolkata Symposium On Dalit Theology In The Twenty-first Century Held In January 2008 At Bishop's College, Kolkata. I. Dalit Theology : Introduction, Interrogation, And Imagination : -- 1. Dalit Theology : An Introductory And Interpretive Theological Expostion / Sathianathan Clarke -- 2. Expanding The Ambit : Dalit Theological Contribution To Ecumenical Social Thought / Deenabandhu Manchala -- 3. The Diversity And Dialectics Of Dalit Dissent And Implications For A Dalit Theology Of Liberation / Peniel Jesudason Rufus Rajkumar -- 4. In The Beginning Is Also An End : Expounding And Exploring Theological Resourcefulness Of Myths Of Dalit Origins / Philip Vinod Peacock -- 5. Envisioning A Postmodern Method Of Doing Dalit Theology / Y.t. Vinayaraj -- 6. Trans-formative Possibilities : Tribal Formations In Conversation With Dalit Theology / Lairuatkima -- Ii. Foraging Dalit Worlds, Freeing Theological Symbols, Forging Dalit World Visions : -- 7. Jesus And Ambedkar : Exploring Common Loci For Dalit Theology And Dalit Movements / L. Jayachitra --^ 8. Gonthemma Korika : Reimagining The Divine Feminine In Dalit Christian Theo/alogy / Joseph Prabhakar Dayam -- 9. Exploring New Facets Of Dalit Christology : Critical Interaction With J.d. Crossan's Portrayal Of The Historical Jesus / Anderson H.m. Jeremiah -- 10. Dalit Theology And Its Future Course / Geevarghese Mor Coorilos -- 11. Dalits And Religious Conversion : Slippery Identities And Shrewd Identifications / Sathianathan Clarke And Philip Vinod Peacock -- Iii. Dalit Hermeneutics : New Christian Vedas, Old Gospel, Different Voices : -- 12. Turning Bodies Inside Out : Contours Of Womanist Theology / Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar -- 13. Bama's Critical-constructive Narratives : Interweaving Resisting Visible Bodies And Emancipatory Audacious Voice As Texture For Dalit Women's Freedom / Roja Singh -- 14. The Servant In The Book Of Judith : Interpreting Her Silence, Telling Her Story / Monica Jyotsna Melanchthon --^ 15. Visibility Of Her Sins : Reading The 'sinful Women' In Luke 7:36-50 From A Dalit Feminist Perspective -- 16. Caste Branding, Bleeding Body, Building Dalit Womanhood : Touchability Of Jesus / Prasuna Gnana Nelavala. Edited By Sathianathan Clarke, Deenabandhu Manchala, Philip Vinod Peacock. Copyright: World Council Of Churches. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [277]-291) And Index. This work marks the beginning of a new Dalit self-understanding and a new appreciation for the changed landscape of the twenty-first century where the agency of Dalits in the area of theology has exploded the monopoly of caste interpretations in a significant manner. This volume addresses how despite its proud entry into the post-colonial, politically democratic twenty-first century world, India continues to straddle the structural inequalities and functional hierarchies based on its age-old caste system. It also looks at various Dalit, women, tribal, and other subaltern movements that struggle against insidious forms of caste-, class-, ethnicity- and religion-based violence and violation. A unique combination of Dalit theology with Dalit feminism and feminist theology, this book brings together the key directions and interests that Dalit Theology has taken in the new century. TOC Introduction Chapter 01 Chapter 02 Chapter 03 Chapter 04 Chapter 05 Chapter 06 Chapter 07 Chapter 08 Chapter 09 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Bibliography Papers presented at the Symposium on 'Dalit Theology in the Twenty-first Century', held at Calcutta in January 2008