Liberation Theology

Between Christian Nationalism and Social Justice concerns we sort of talk around something that has been around for a very long time, like ancient Israel and the interface of religious faith with socio-political systems. In our more recent history it has been Liberation Theology, starting in Latin America in the 1960's but has developed out into other oppressive concerns like racism. sexism, classism, etc. It has been controversial within the Christian Church.

"But the poor person does not exist as an inescapable fact of destiny. His or her existence is not politically neutral, and it is not ethically innocent. The poor are a by-product of the system in which we live and for which we are responsible. They are marginalized by our social and cultural world. They are the oppressed, exploited proletariat, robbed of the fruit of their labor and despoiled of their humanity. Hence the poverty of the poor is not a call to generous relief action, but a demand that we go and build a different social order."

"The denunciation of injustice implies the rejection of the use of Christianity to legitimize the established order."

-Gustavo Gutierrez

Michael 777 said:

Liberation theology is a deeply concerning growing movement in Africa. Due to the historical backdrop of colonialism, poverty and violence, there is a growing need for Christianity to become a movement for social justice. Some forms are almost non recognizable to Biblical Christianity.

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It raises the questions of "who are the oppressed of today?" and what would a "Christian" nation do about it?

What is the Christian presence like in Africa now?


"In effect, what this means is that in Africa many socio-political structures are sinful and unjust and these call for liberation and transformation. Consequently, Africa is ripe for a theology of liberation since injustices and other evils are incarnated in her socio-political structures."

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