LIBERATION THEOLOGY- A contextual theology that rose to popularity in
1980 particularly after the death of Oscar Romero, and Gustavo
Guttierez’s book ‘A Theology of Liberation’. A contextual theology is one
that is inspired by and responds directly to the situation of the time it’s in,
interpreting Christianity through that specific lens. Theologian James
Nickoloff argues that all theologies are contextual, but liberation theology
is the only one that is aware of this.
MARXISM IN L.T
- Marx wrote about his theories on communism in his most famous
texts ‘The Communist Manifesto’ and ‘Das Kapital’, which liberation
theologians have been inspired by and used to explain L.T in varying
degrees. For example, Guttierez says that whilst Marxism can be
helpful, it is by no means to be replaced by Jesus’ teachings or even
mixed with theology. The Boff Brothers, in their book ‘Introducing
Liberation Theology’ argued that Marx is a helpful ‘friend along the
way’, but Jesus is the only teacher.
- Alienation- Marx argued that capitalism separates society into the
bourgeoisie, the upper class, and the proletariat, the lower class,
who are alienated from society as they are forced to sell their labour
in order to survive, as the rich exploit it. Capitalism alienates the
proletariat in four ways; from the labour itself, from their produce,
from their potential and from society as a whole.
- Religion- this is where liberation theology differs. Marxism argues
that religion is the ‘opiate of the masses’ because it distracts people
from the gravity of the class divide by saying things such as ‘It is
God’s will’ or encouraging prayer over action, creating a false
consciousness. Liberation Theology would agree that the church
hasn’t done enough to help the poor, but the teachings of Jesus
advocate for the opposite.
- Class struggle- Marx argues that there becomes a point where the
suffering is unbearable and the proletariat gains class
consciousness, where they realise, they need to take action. This
results in revolts and an eventual revolution. In his works, Marx
refers to ‘despotic inroads’, the violence that is necessary to bring
about change. Most Liberation Theologians would not go this far, but
some such as Camillo Torres Restrepo, for example, would when he
joined the guerrilla group against his fascist government, in which
he engaged in armed violence against government officials. He
argued that ‘if Jesus were alive today, he would be a guerrilla’.
- Praxis- Marx emphasised that action comes first, and without it,
theory remains abstract and useless. Liberation Theology is often
called a ‘bottom-up’ theology because it puts action before dogma.
1980 particularly after the death of Oscar Romero, and Gustavo
Guttierez’s book ‘A Theology of Liberation’. A contextual theology is one
that is inspired by and responds directly to the situation of the time it’s in,
interpreting Christianity through that specific lens. Theologian James
Nickoloff argues that all theologies are contextual, but liberation theology
is the only one that is aware of this.
MARXISM IN L.T
- Marx wrote about his theories on communism in his most famous
texts ‘The Communist Manifesto’ and ‘Das Kapital’, which liberation
theologians have been inspired by and used to explain L.T in varying
degrees. For example, Guttierez says that whilst Marxism can be
helpful, it is by no means to be replaced by Jesus’ teachings or even
mixed with theology. The Boff Brothers, in their book ‘Introducing
Liberation Theology’ argued that Marx is a helpful ‘friend along the
way’, but Jesus is the only teacher.
- Alienation- Marx argued that capitalism separates society into the
bourgeoisie, the upper class, and the proletariat, the lower class,
who are alienated from society as they are forced to sell their labour
in order to survive, as the rich exploit it. Capitalism alienates the
proletariat in four ways; from the labour itself, from their produce,
from their potential and from society as a whole.
- Religion- this is where liberation theology differs. Marxism argues
that religion is the ‘opiate of the masses’ because it distracts people
from the gravity of the class divide by saying things such as ‘It is
God’s will’ or encouraging prayer over action, creating a false
consciousness. Liberation Theology would agree that the church
hasn’t done enough to help the poor, but the teachings of Jesus
advocate for the opposite.
- Class struggle- Marx argues that there becomes a point where the
suffering is unbearable and the proletariat gains class
consciousness, where they realise, they need to take action. This
results in revolts and an eventual revolution. In his works, Marx
refers to ‘despotic inroads’, the violence that is necessary to bring
about change. Most Liberation Theologians would not go this far, but
some such as Camillo Torres Restrepo, for example, would when he
joined the guerrilla group against his fascist government, in which
he engaged in armed violence against government officials. He
argued that ‘if Jesus were alive today, he would be a guerrilla’.
- Praxis- Marx emphasised that action comes first, and without it,
theory remains abstract and useless. Liberation Theology is often
called a ‘bottom-up’ theology because it puts action before dogma.
