Who is Dalit? Who is Christ for Dalit? This book tries to answer these two pertinent
questions. Dalit, etymologically, is a condition of brokenness and strive for wholeness.
Thus, the term Dalit gives a wider prospect to see the people who are broken and motivated
to be whole from their indefinable oppressions. In this broken experience, the early
Christian community/church, who was broken by the rod of Grecian cultural hegemony, Roman
imperial regime and Jewish divisive spirituality of that time, presented the Christ - who
embraces all.
This book gives aspiration and courage to the broken people and boldly challenges the
oppressors to undergo a real `metanoia'. This academic piece of work helps one to
re-cognize Christ anew from Dalit point of view. Contemporary Dalit theology uses caste or
class interpretation on Christ, whereas the term `Dalit' accommodates all castes. It does
not project a caste meaning. Therefore, the term Dalit is used in an inclusive sense. It
discards any caste and class connotation. Any interpretation on Christ based on caste,
limits the Christological effect into a particular sect/caste in the society.
This book is an attempt to examine the Dalit Christology in the light of early church's
confession. It is, of course, a valuable contribution to dalit theology.
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgement
Introduction
1. `Dalit' in Dalit Movements and Contemporary Dalit Theological Discourses : A
Re-Consideration
Introduction
1.1 Quest for the Terms `Dalit' in Indian Context
1.2 Dalt Movements and their `Dalit' Discourses in India
1.3 Contemporary Indian Christian Theological Discourses on
`Dalit'
1.4 A Re-definition to `Dalit' Theology
Conclusion
2. The Early Community of Faith and Its Faith Confession : A Dalit Re-Mapping
Introduction
2.1 Mapping Contours of the Early Faith Community
2.2 The Positioning of the Early Faith Community in its
Strange Context
2.3 The Early Faith Community and their Immediate Settings of
Faith Confesion
2.4 The Early Faith Confession : Structural - Functional and
Thematic Analysis
Conclusion
3. A Critique of Contemporary Dalit Interpretations of Jesus Christ in the Light of the
Early Faith Confession
Introduction
3.1 Contemporary Dalit Interpretations of Jesus Christ
3.2 Thematic Critique of Contemporary Dalit Faith Confession
3.3 Functional Critique of Contemporary Dalit Faith Confession
3.4 Methodological and Structural Critique of Contemporary
Dalit Faith Confession
3.5 Dalit Christology at Crossroads
Conclusion
4. Towards an Inclusive Dalit Christology
Introduction
4.1 Methodological Framework of Inclusive Dalit Christology
4.2 `Christology' in Inclusive Dalit Terms
4.3 Characteristics of Inclusive Dalit Christology
4.4 Inclusive Dalit Christology and Other Liberation
Theologies
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Rev. Josfin Raj S. B. hails from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. He
currently serves as the Academic Dean of New Life Biblical Seminary, Ayoor, Kollam, one of
the premier bible colleges in India. He has served as a pastor of Zion Sangam Church,
Mulloor, Kerala; Faculty and Men's Warden at Mission India Theological Seminary, Nagpur,
Maharashtra; and Faculty of Theology at Church On The Rock Theological Seminary,
Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Academically, he has completed B.Th. and M.Div. from New Life Biblical Seminary, Ayoor,
Kollam; M.Th. (Christian Theology) from Luther W. New Jr. Theological College (NTC),
Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Also, he has done Master of Arts (Christian Studies) from Madras
University and is pursuing still another Master of Arts (English Litt.) from the same
university.
He authored a book called `Pauline Corpus: A Paradigm for Effective Christian
Journalism in India' (ISPCK, 2013). He is a frequent academic and devotional writer for
various magazines and theological journals. He is interested in contextual theologies,
integrating secular-theological space and Pentecostal-charismatic studies. He is married
to Ross Mary Raj and blessed with a son, Jeevan Maria Josfin.
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