Lesson 1: Introduction and Marx
Introduction to liberation theology:
- Orthopraxis: right practice
- Orthodoxy: Right belief
- Conscientisation: the process by which a person becomes conscious of the
power structures in society.
- Key leaders: Gustavo Gutierrez and Jon Sobrino
Liberation theology is a theological movement that began in 1964 when young
Catholic theologians met in Brazil and vowed to find what the true Christian
message was in the face of poverty of Latin America
Its focus is on orthopraxis before orthodoxy – actions are more important than
beliefs. The concept of the kingdom of God is central to liberation theology. It is
the world made anew – not where you go after you die. The coming of the
Kingdom of God is something that must be hoped and worked for in this world.
Christians should focus on the liberation of the poor – from both oppression and
sin.
Liberation theology drew on the work of Paulo Freire, who saw education as a
means to achieve conscientisation. Education should not be about transferring
knowledge but transforming society.
Capitalism: an economic system in which the means of production are privately
owned and run for profit
Alienation: the process of becoming detached or isolated
Exploitation: treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work or resources
Marx’s views on capitalism
- Capitalism is behind our experiences of powerlessness. Class divisions emerge
between those who have control over the means of production and those who
do not. It is a kind of exploitation. This changed the relationship between people
and production resulting in a social division: the wealthy owners vs the workers
- According to Marx: workers cannot work independently of capitalism, to work
means to be part of a capitalist machine, work is a living death; labour becomes
forced because of the need to work for money and food
- “The worker is depressed, therefore, both intellectually and physically; to the
level of a machine, and from being a man becomes an abstract entity”
Marx’s views on religion:
Marx famously referred to religion as the “opium of the people”. It promises an
afterlife to look forward to, rather than addressing what is wrong in this life,
encourages people to accept suffering, justifies inequalities in society and used a
means of control
, Should Christian theology engage with atheist secular ideology?
If Christianity is to be relevant to all aspects of life, it must engage with secular
thought
Christianity can select and adapt useful ideas from non-Christain sources
The sources of theology should be revealed truth Bible, Church etc.
Marxism and Christianity have contradictory ideas about the means of salvation
Introduction to liberation theology:
- Orthopraxis: right practice
- Orthodoxy: Right belief
- Conscientisation: the process by which a person becomes conscious of the
power structures in society.
- Key leaders: Gustavo Gutierrez and Jon Sobrino
Liberation theology is a theological movement that began in 1964 when young
Catholic theologians met in Brazil and vowed to find what the true Christian
message was in the face of poverty of Latin America
Its focus is on orthopraxis before orthodoxy – actions are more important than
beliefs. The concept of the kingdom of God is central to liberation theology. It is
the world made anew – not where you go after you die. The coming of the
Kingdom of God is something that must be hoped and worked for in this world.
Christians should focus on the liberation of the poor – from both oppression and
sin.
Liberation theology drew on the work of Paulo Freire, who saw education as a
means to achieve conscientisation. Education should not be about transferring
knowledge but transforming society.
Capitalism: an economic system in which the means of production are privately
owned and run for profit
Alienation: the process of becoming detached or isolated
Exploitation: treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work or resources
Marx’s views on capitalism
- Capitalism is behind our experiences of powerlessness. Class divisions emerge
between those who have control over the means of production and those who
do not. It is a kind of exploitation. This changed the relationship between people
and production resulting in a social division: the wealthy owners vs the workers
- According to Marx: workers cannot work independently of capitalism, to work
means to be part of a capitalist machine, work is a living death; labour becomes
forced because of the need to work for money and food
- “The worker is depressed, therefore, both intellectually and physically; to the
level of a machine, and from being a man becomes an abstract entity”
Marx’s views on religion:
Marx famously referred to religion as the “opium of the people”. It promises an
afterlife to look forward to, rather than addressing what is wrong in this life,
encourages people to accept suffering, justifies inequalities in society and used a
means of control
, Should Christian theology engage with atheist secular ideology?
If Christianity is to be relevant to all aspects of life, it must engage with secular
thought
Christianity can select and adapt useful ideas from non-Christain sources
The sources of theology should be revealed truth Bible, Church etc.
Marxism and Christianity have contradictory ideas about the means of salvation
