Authority: Subaltern theology

Bible or revelation is the primary authority for Christians. There can be different sources of
authority like tradition and experiences, but what is more important is revelation. 1 Subaltern
consists of those poor, marginalized, oppressed and racially discriminated groups of people.
Since subaltern refers to people of inferior rank, subaltern theologies comprised of the theology
of the oppressed people like the Dalits and the tribals. The Bible talks about the causes of the
oppressed and the poor. Bible has the vision of a society which is free from unfair relationships
and is based on the values of the Kingdom of God. 2 The real Indian Christian theology has come
by the emergence of the Dalit theology. The starting point for the Dalit theology is the
discrimination that the untouchables or the outcastes are subjected to and the determination to
free themselves from every form of oppression and subjugation. Dalit theology is a protest voice
in their faith to transform hopeless situation to hopeful future.3
Dalit theology is basically the voices of the people who belonged to the lower strata of the
society. It is the theology of the people who has been suffering for many centuries due to the evil
socio-economic and political structures. In the Biblical terms, the suffering people can be Jews or
non-Jews. They can be from any community who are oppressed and economically backward. In
the Israelite context the jubilee has been understood to be the total restoration of the slaves and
dispossessed (Lev. 25).4
Another Subaltern concern, Dalits and tribals in Indian context, is the issue of their identity. The
Bible clearly talks about the equality and identity of all men since God has made every human
being in His own image (Gen 1:27, 28), and he acknowledges the dignity of the subalterns, even
though the powerful class neglects their rights and dignity (Lk 4:16-21).5

1 M. Stephen, A Christian Theology in the Indian Context (New Delhi: ISPCK, 2001),
110.
2 M. Stephen, Christian Ethics: Issues and Insights (New Delhi: concept Publishing
Company, 2007), 136.
3 D Manohar Chandra Prasad, Dalit Theological Issues in a contextual theology of
Liberation, The Asia Journal of Theology, 23/1 (2009), 166.
4 M Stephen, A Christian Theology in the Indian Context, 100.
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Dalit theology is not the theology of any caste group, but it is the theology of all who are poor
and oppressed. The Dalit theology takes the context of the poor seriously like that of Latin
American Liberation theology and Black theology. Dalit theology is the outcome of the severe
experience of the poor in India. God of justice and the liberative message of the Bible (e.g.
Exodus) is the source where it draws strength.6 Therefore, one of the major concerns of the Dalit
theology is the existential reality of Dalit poverty and hunger. Basing on the endemic hunger that
the Dalits suffers, Sister Shalini Mulackal says that This lack of food indeed is one of the major
sufferings of the Dalits.7 Dalit theology, therefore, raises question to the traditional theology
which is silent towards the cause of the poor. Traditional theologies are the theologies of status
quo. As a reversal to traditional theology, the Dalit theology took the experience of the poor as
the starting point in doing theology. Restoration and reconstruction are the key concepts of Dalit
theology.8
Tribal theology is also another Subaltern theology which gives the voices of the Tribal people in
India. They are also called as Advises. They are badly treated by their communities. The tribal
theology is a political theology and also contextual and experiential. Their understanding of God
and theology can be found in their songs and folklores. They believe that Christ is the supreme
God and their liberator.9
Therefore, looking at the Subalterns perspective, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ is considered
essential to bring about liberation for the oppressed people. The identification of Christ with the
oppressed is a central hermeneutical principal for Dalit theology. The Bible thus becomes a key
theological source and authority for Dalit theologians.10

5 M Stephen, Christian Ethics: Issues and Insights, 135.

6 M Stephen, Christian Theology in the Indian Context, 101.
7 Adrian Bird, M. M. Thomas and Dalit theology (Bangalore: BTESSC, 2008), 39.
8 M Stephen, Christian Theology in the Indian Context, 101.
9 M Stephen, Christian Theology in the Indian Context, 104.
10 Adrian Bird, M.M. Thomas and Dalit theology, 61.
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