Introduction

How we interpret the Bible is a significant question one need to ask before starting the
interpretation of the text. Without proper understanding of the biased nature of the Bible , the
interpretation is always incomplete. However, one can interpret Bible by using proper
hermeneutics. While reading the Bible one should keep in mind that the Bible was written in
a patriarchal context and it is biased. In one way or other the women experience is neglected
so the need of feminist methodology for Biblical scholarship is a need.
The book I have chosen for the review is Treasure in Heaven and Treasure on Earth by M.
Gnanavaram. In this book he talks about from whose view point one should interpret the
text? He suggests that the interpretation starts with the poor and oppressed. According to him
many modern western scholars have started from the standpoint of the affluence and the
powerful and which leads to the interpretation of the Scripture to support the systems and
institutionalized structures of society.
Gnanavaram tries to re-read the the Scripture from the perspective of the poor and the
oppressed . He says that only those who come from a poor environment may be able to do
justice to the original meaning and the thrust of the TiH tradition. According to him God
always stand on the side of the poor to oppose unjust and oppressive structures and God
hasva particular concern for the poor and the oppressed, because of Gods basic concern for
the justice. This was and still is a life-giving interpretation by the poor and for the poor.
Hence we have to start with the poor and oppressed and need to give the voices from the
margin.
On Wednesday September27, 2012 a30 year old Dalit woman and mother of six year old girl
has been gang raped in Jind, Haryana.
The police officials said that the woman in Jind, originally a resident of Dharoli village,was
gang raped around noon when she was alone at her house. While coming back from school
her daughter knocked on the door but it is not opened and she heard the screaming of her
mother. She peeped inside and saw her mother surrounded by the three men. She started
screaming for help and the neighbours came but the culprits escaped. The neighbours simply
went back and didnt call the police. The attack in the Jind was also filmed on a phone
camera and the MMS was circulated in her village.

Pillu Khera police said that the victim came to the station with her husband and filed
complaint. Among the three culprits two of them are sons of Azad Singh, an upper caste man,
and Mahavir Singh, a Dalit from dharoli. A case was registered under section 376 (rape) of
IPC and a man hunt has been launched.
Regarding the MMS clip made by the accused, the SSP said, As of now, the police do not
have any material evidence. Still, we are investigating and if we get any proof, we will slap
charges1.
In the same line one can see Tamars story in 2Samuel 13. Amnon is forcing Tamar to lie
down with him and strategically he is doing the same. Indeed by using his power he send out
Tamar without showing any mercy towards her plea. Nobody is questioning Amnon.
Eventhough David has the right to question and punish Amnon he keep silence to protect his
son.We see that the power plays a major role here. The patriarchal societal system protecting
the culprit. They thought that Tamar is a woman so she wouldnt raise any voice against the
violence. Thus Tamar became oppressed and her voice made to be unheard.
Home is a place which always considered to be safer place but in Tamars case and in the Jind
incident they losts the security even in their home. Tamar didnot get any help from the
servants and the authorities who needs to take care of the legal system even from her father.
Justice is denied for Tamar. Similarly in this particular event also we see that the womens
plea for help became unheard. David got angry in Tamars case but didnot take any action. In
this case also the police in a way trying to protect the culprits. This case gives us clear
direction that many of the assumptions made in rape case are only myths.
The patriarchal system always try to make the women to be silent . The system always deny
the justice for the women. All are created in the image of God but the patriarchal system
always consider the women as subordinates. Henece the system always questioning the
purpose of creation. The legal system is also corrupted sometimes to protect the culprits .
This is always happened in atrocities against women cases.
If we interpret the Bible by using the feminist hermeneutics we can see th

1 NDTV