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A few old and new terms and their meanings

Contextual Theologies: An Introduction Module 1 Dalit theology: method and themes of a contextual theology in India By Vinod John. A few old and new terms and their meanings. Local Global “Glocal” Globalization Its impact on Christianity and theologies Challenge and opportunity.

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A few old and new terms and their meanings

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  1. Contextual Theologies: An IntroductionModule 1Dalit theology: method and themes of a contextual theology in IndiaBy Vinod John

  2. A few old and new terms and their meanings • Local • Global • “Glocal” • Globalization • Its impact on Christianity and theologies • Challenge and opportunity

  3. Theology or theologies? Is theology normative? Theology and context

  4. Indian context of the Church Perhaps the oldest living civilization of the world The largest democracy of the world with 1.3 billion people Majority of the population—Hindus (over 80%) Caste system—A hierarchical, graded, four-tier society

  5. Climbing up the ladder is impossible! • Brahman • Kshatriya • Vaisya • Dalit • Shudra

  6. Dalit and dalitness defined • The people group is outside the four-tier caste system • Dalit etymology • Sanskrit – dal –i.e.broken, crushed, oppressed, exploited • Hebrew Bible –dal- Striking parallels Means broken, oppressed • Literally untouchable, polluting to the other caste-Hindus

  7. Who are the Dalits?

  8. Dalit Christians • Majority of the church in India is Dalit (about 80%) • Their socio-economic situation has not changed since conversion to Christianity • They face discrimination within the church and outside it

  9. Dalit theology : A rationale • Why Dalit theology? • How about Indian Christian theology? • Brahmanical • Does not address the issues of Dalits • From above • A detached God • Knows nothing of the sufferings of Dalits

  10. Dalit theology: methodological issues • Reaction to Indian theology • Critiques classical western theologies • Borrows from and is inspired by the Latin American liberation theology • Inspired by Black theology of America • Theologizing from below, taking the subaltern context of Dalits seriously

  11. Dalit theology: major themes • A Suffering God - Pathos • The Crucified Messiah as a Dalit Jesus • An Empowering Spirit for the powerless • Church as a just community for witness

  12. Other signposts in aDalit theology • Dalit anthropology: A new humanity in God’s image • Dalit realized eschatology: change here and now! • A political theology for bargaining power in the society and church

  13. Dalit theology: a critique • Methodology: positive aspects • Context as the point of departure • Suffering and vulnerable aspect of God • God as immanent • Dignity and hope for Dalits

  14. Dalit theology: a critique • Methodology: negative aspects • Needs to use Dalit resources such as stories, songs, etc. • Write more commentaries on the Bible from a Dalit subaltern perspective

  15. Dalit theology: a critique • Methodology: negative aspects • Exclusivity -only by Dalits and for Dalits • Elitism – lacking grassroots theologization • Needs more interplay of local and global

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