Exegeting the world: M.M. Thomas's secular commentaries on scripture

The Indian theologian and activist, M. M. Thomas, has been widely studied for his contributions to modern theology, politics, and ecumenism. In his later years, Thomas wrote an extensive series of biblical commentaries that developed a new interpretation of the Christian faith in the context of social and religious pluralism. This thesis is the first full study of these important commentaries. The thesis argues that Thomas developed a unique approach to biblical interpretation, using insights from Indian history, politics, and diverse religions to uncover the “secular” meaning of the biblical text. For Thomas, scripture is more than a religious book. It is an arena of dialogue in which contemporary global issues encounter the humanising and community-forming power of the gospel.