Jeremiah was one of the ancient Hebrew prophets who spoke daringly about the injustices
and anomalies of his day in such a straightforward manner that he had to pay a heavy price
of risking his own life unto death. In many ways, he represented a suffering prophet with
full of pathos in his life situation because of his uncompromising words towards justice
and peace for his nation. As a Yahwistic prophet, Jeremiah didn't spare anyone who
violated the rights of the poor and oppressed.
The case of Jeremiah fits well with the Dalits liberation struggle in India, as the
latter ventures into a dialogue with the biblical text in a manner that will release
sufficient potential for their liberation. The pathos of Jeremiah also goes with the
pathos of Dalits as they face different challenges to thwart the wicked schemes of their
oppressors. Just like Jeremiah, Dalits are fighting against the institutional anomalies of
injustice and corruption that works against the covenantal demands of the God of justice
and equality. In this light, Jeremiah's concerns are very appropriate for Dalits to
dialogue with the biblical text so that there will be a mutual benefit for both the
dialogue partners.
Therefore, the book present messages of Jeremiah, relevant for Dalits in their present
predicament. They can look into the inner dynamism with which Jeremiah preached the
message of God to the rebellious society then in a very crucial and critical context. This
eye opener is also meant for Christian Laity, Church Clergies, Students and Researchers,
alike.
Contents
Foreword
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Socio-Historical and Political Background of Jeremiah
3. God's Powerful Word through Jeremiah (1:1-19)
4. From Hope to Disaster in God's Word (2:1-3:5)
5. Return to God : There is Terror on Every Side of the Land (3:6-6:30)
6. Jeremiah's Temple Sermon (7:1-8:3)
7. No Balm in Gilead (8:4-10:25)
8. The Suspension of God's Covenant and The Confessions of Jeremiah (11:1-20:18)
9. The Way of Life and The Way of Death (21:1-25:38)
10. It is the Lord Who Sent Me (26:1-29:32)
11. Jeremiah's Book of Comfort : To Reconcile, Integrate and Build (30:1-33:26)
12. The Dishonorable Behavior of Judah (34:1-35:19)
13. The `Baruch's Document' (36:1-45:5)
14. Oracles Concerning the Nations (46:1-51:64)
15. Historical Conclusion with Hopeful Signs (52:1-34)
16. General Conclusion
Selected Bibliography
Glossary of Terms
Scripture Index
Rev. Dr. Kondasingu Jesurathnam is an ordained minister of Telugu
Baptist Church. He earned his PhD in the field of Old Testament from the University of
Edinburgh in the year 2006. In the recent past, he was the Dean of Postgraduate studies at
the United Theological College and Secretary of the Society for Biblical Studies in India
(SBSI). In the year 2014, he spent one year sabbatical as visiting Professor at Columbia
Theological Seminary and Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, USA. Currently, he
is the Professor of Old Testament at the United Theological College, Bangalore teaching in
the Department of Biblical Studies.
Among many of his past and present publications include a book titled Dalit Liberative
Hermeneutics: Indian Christian Dalit Interpretation of Psalm 22 (ISPCK, 2010). He has also
contributed several scholarly articles to various academic journals and books. He
cherishes life with his wife Beatrice Veena who is a school teacher and his son David
Sunil Wesley Raju, an undergraduate student of commerce in Bangalore.
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