Traditional Theology Liberation Theology

• Who– St. Augustine

• Gustavo Gutierrez• Oscar Romero• poor peasants-- St. Thomas Aquinas

-- Karl Rahner, S.J.

Traditional Theology Liberation Theology

• Where:– Rome, Paris, etc. (very

Eurocentric)

• Where:– Latin America

• from the “Underside of History” (ie., the losers of history, the poor and oppressed)

Traditional Theology Liberation Theology

• Parish-– in the United States,

for example, parishes are 500-1200 families large.

• Base Christian Communities– 10 - 30 people who

come together to study the Bible and apply it to their lives

Traditional Theology Liberation Theology

• How:– traditional theology

involves research, debate, prayer. It is very scholarly and reasonable.

• How:– the “first act” of

liberation theology is commitment to the poor.

Only when you live with thepoor will scripture come alive.Why?

Because the Bible was written by the poor in an oppressed situation (e.g., Roman persecution)Only by living their life can one comprehend the Bible’s fullmeaning.

Praxis - the oscillationbetween action andreflection (between service and prayer/study)

Traditional Theology Liberation Theology

• What:– Sin:

• an intentional act of commission or omission that harms others, ourselves, or our relationship with God.

• Very personal and individual

• What:– Sin:

• Social Sin: Whenever we participate in societal structures or policies that harm others (e.g., racism, economic exploitation), we commit a sin.

• Can be very communal

The doctrines, dogmas,theology. The

content

Traditional Theology Liberation Theology

• What (#2)– Cross

• “Tragedy” - Jesus stood up for the truth and, as a result, was executed by the religious and political authorities. Jesus

died

before us.

What is the

meaning of

the cross? Why

did Jesus die?

• What (#2)– Cross

We also are to be out-spoken and active againstinjustice even if it means

ridicule and persecution.

• “Glory” - Jesus died for us. Jesus suffered and died as a sacrifice

to open the gates of heaven.

Traditional Theology Liberation Theology

• What (#3)– Salvation

• to save peoples’ souls so they can go to heaven.

• Liberate them from sin and eternal death.

• What (#3)– Salvation

• to save peoples’ souls and bodies.

• Liberate them from unjust economic systems and premature death.

“Preferential Optionfor the Poor”

Pro’s and Con’s of Liberation Theology

• Justified Critique of Liberation Theology– some liberation theologians

(using the logic of the“just war teachings” of the Church) have advocated violence to bring about justice.

– Pope John Paul II has condemned violence as a means of liberation.

• Unjustified Critique of Liberation Theology– liberation theologians are

accused of being Marxist

– They use some Marxist terms (e.g., “class struggle, praxis”) because it helps them name their economic reality which is similar to 19th cent. Europe.