Awake

Theologian engages scriptures as feminist, Indian

Sr. Rekha Chennattu is the first Catholic woman in India to hold a doctorate in scripture and she is now the new head of scriptural studies at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, a leading theological institute based in Pune, India.

The hermeneutical key for interpreting the Bible, Chennattu says, is employing the experience of the oppressed and the marginalized, especially of women. She says she tries to bring out the richness of the Word of God in a way that is not only rooted in the biblical tradition but also relevant to the contemporary context of the Indian church and of women.

...Chennattu wants to encourage Indian women to steer clear of submissive withdrawal and surrender while at the same time avoiding the violent retaliation and revenge often reflected in Western feminism. She says that Indian women theologians need a vision that blends the Indian cultural heritage with the wealth of our Christian faith through critical reasoning, creative initiative and committed action.

Read more about her here. Posted by Amber at February 9, 2006 12:02 PM