Dalit
Hermeneutics
Reading
the text from the perspective which is in form by dalit experienced. Deenbandhu
Machala give three basic principles of dalit Hermeneutics
1.
Affirmation of the value and dignity of life.
Definition
from Latin, Carlos Mesters, the principle objective of reading the Bible
is not to interpreter the Bible but to interpret the life with the help of the
Bible... Not the quest for the meaning of the text in itself but the direction
which the Bible is suggesting to the people of God within the specific
circumstances in which they fight themselves.
2.
Dalit affirmation of human dignity.
Dalit
Bible Commentary is written from the lens of dalit pathos.
3.
Commitment to the vision of polity of justice, equality and peace.
Maria
Arul Raja, gives another dimension of dalit Hermeneutics. In the process, dalit
goal and biblical goal engage in dialogue. Dalit world interacted in biblical world and vice versa.
Dalit Heritage is placed along with the Biblical text. Dalit songs, stories,
protest, ancestor, etc are placed within the biblical perspective.
Ultimate
goal dalit Hermeneutics.
Dalit scholars read Bible in line with the
Exodus event from their life reality. Deuteronomy creed in the light of dalit
pathos. Jesus birth narratives in Luke portray a life realities of dalit, the
shepherd. Gideon as the least of Israel tribes.
Purpose
of dalit Hermeneutics
James
Massey
1.
Dalit Hermeneutics strengthen the hope of empowerment.
2. Dalit Hermeneutics generated new energy in
the life of Dalits.
Dalit
epistemology.
The
theory of knowledge. The study of the
nature, origin and validity of knowledge. How do you know what you know.
Rationalism
will teach you that, reason is the source of knowledge. All knowledge can be
accumulate by reason. Empiricism which is a sense perception is
epistemology. Skepticism terms is that doubt is the origin of knowledge.
For
Dalit, Experienced is the Epistemology. Body mediated experienced not
mystical and a mere reason, sense experienced. Kancha Illaiah,
says, Dalit experiences, emotion has
validity of knowledge. MC Raj, 'Dalit Think' argues that dalit
epistemology is a harmonious blend of emotive and cognitive waves (emotion and
thinking).
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