Asian Biblical Hermeneutics and Postcolonialism: Contesting the Interpretations

by R.S. Sugirtharajah

The volume contributes a postcolonial perspective to such topics as textual production, commentarial writings and translations in colonial times, and then moves on to inspect Eurocentric notions embedded in current western biblical interpretation especially in projects such as "Jesus Research." It also contains an overview of and introduction to one of the most challenging and controversial theories of our time, postcolonialism--a theory that gives mediation and representation to Third World people. Though long established in cultural studies, postcolonial theory has not previously been seriously applied to Asian biblical interpretation.>

Genres: Christianity

148 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

R.S. Sugirtharajah, a Sri Lankan theologian and lecturer, is Professor of Biblical Hermeneutics at the University of Birmingham, England. Prior to his current appointment, he was Senior Lecturer in Third World Theologies at Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham.

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting look at how Colonialism has affected missions specifically in India. India was taught to be European in almost every aspect of life including Biblical hermeneutics. Was a little unsettled by the aspect of viewing the Biblical text alongside all the various Indian philosophies and religious texts and creating something from that to meet the peoples need of today. Surprised to read that there was no mention of the death of Jesus and his resurrection from an Indian viewpoint. It is as if all that is important in the moral teachings of Jesus and nothing else. I think that is what is most disturbing to me. The main thing I got out of it was that I must be careful of how my interpretations of the Biblical texts affects others, especially outside of my cultural milieu.