Historical Context
Notes for a Theology of Liberation was published in The Journal of Theological Studies in 1970. Written by Gustavo Gutiérrez, a Catholic Dominican, native to Peru, he posited a theology of praxis of the South American people, whom have been impoverished as well as dominated by worldly powers for hundreds of years, hoping for development and liberation. Gutiérrez ideas on liberation theology was as a multi-faceted, spearheaded response to modern day, major shifts in South American worldview; as an addendum to Vatican II “Gaudium et Spes”; opposition to the influence of Marxism on radical youth; pushing against an influential global Church as well as capitalist powers; an attempt at a continental liberation from 500 years of
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This text was written during the heart of the Cold War between Capitalism and Communism. The political environment was tense, particularly, one could not be sure where any individual stood on matters of Communist sentiments. Much of the reaction to this theology was fear that Gutiérrez was attempting to stir up a socio-political revolution against the current government authorities. Some of the more concerning assertions he made was, “The solidarity and protest we are talking about have a real political overtone in today's world,” additionally “under the influence of existentialism and personalism, [political theology] had grown too individualistic.” Even to this day, the mention of “liberation theology” may still stir up the pure Capitalist to argue the points against …show more content…
One would be hard-pressed to find a greater representation of the need for a theology of liberation within the context of 1960’s Latin America. As one might concede, South America suffered many horrendous atrocities for centuries, someone needed to stand up for this downtrodden people. Today, fifty years after this document, one can witness the church increasing at incredible rates throughout Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and other major Latin American nations. In 2013, the Vatican chose Argentinian-born Ramón José Castellano as the Pope, breaking ground in what might become an incredible influence of Latin American culture on the World. In view of the complex problem in his day, Gutiérrez obviously helped to produce great change in Latin America, the complete fruits of this work have yet to be seen, an may not be apparent for decades or perhaps for another
Elected in 1958 as a ‘caretaker Pope’, Pope John XXIII implemented the greatest reforms in the Church’s history. His involvement within the Church had played a significant contribution to the reforming of social, political and liturgical Christian traditions. During the early twentieth century, the Catholic Church still held the century old conservative beliefs and traditions as they continued to separate the Church from the secular world, therefore, disadvantaging the Church to a world that was modernising. In addition to this, the Church restricted modernist thoughts due to the belief that new theologies would threaten the power and authority of the Church, but ...
Wright, theologians in Barth and Calvin, and a practical theologian in Gustavo Gutierrez. I was first introduced to Gutierrez in my systematic theology course at Princeton Theological Seminary. Gutierrez primarily cares for God’s interaction with the poor and expresses how the Church needs give a preferential option for the least of society, just as Christ has given a preferential option for the world. I believe God spoke through Gutierrez’ writings to remind me that I am here on this earth to be light for the Gospel and to show the love of Jesus
Models for post-revolutionary Latin American government are born of the complex economic and social realities of 17th and 18th century Europe. From the momentum of the Enlightenment came major political rebellions of the elite class against entrenched national monarchies and systems of power. Within this time period of elitist revolt and intensive political restructuring, the fundamental basis for both liberal and conservative ideology was driven deep into Latin American soil. However, as neither ideology sought to fulfill or even recognize the needs or rights of mestizo people under government rule, the initial liberal doctrine pervading Latin American nations perpetuated racism and economic exploitation, and paved the way for all-consuming, cultural wars in the centuries to come.
Rodriguez makes a point of stating that there are tensions between the “brother religions”, religions that should be unified but instead are “united and divided by the masculine sense of faith”, still this same pattern is shown within the church (146). Rodriguez acknowledges the fact that the church is being divided each day due
This does not, however, dismiss the reality of torture in Chile nor soften Cavanaugh’s criticisms of “distinction of planes” ecclesiologies. Church paradigms such as Maritain’s New Christendom have led Catholics in Chile and elsewhere to buy into a “devil’s bargain” wherein the Church confines itself to the social, or spiritual, realm and allows the state to dominate in the political, or temporal, realm (196). Such ecclesiologies simultaneously facilitate the Church’s disappearance as a societal body and strip the Church of any tangible ability to counteract the actions of oppressive governments. The Chilean church’s ecclesiology had real, disastrous consequences for Chileans under the Pinochet regime – consequences that perhaps could have been mitigated under a different ecclesiological
Liberation Theology for Armchair Theologians overall can be included in the genre of Theology. The fact that the genre is in fact Theology transpires into the argument of this book. In order to convey his argument De La Torre, gave a historical background in the beginning of the book to help all readers understand exactly what liberation theology is. From the roots of the Spanish converting the Indians into “civilized” people in order to gain power, economic wealth and to be able to ex...
At the beginning of the sixteenth century church theologian, Martin Luther, wrote the 95 Theses questioning the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. In this essay I will discuss: the practices of the Roman Catholic Church Martin Luther wanted to reform, what Martin’s specific criticism of the pope was, and the current practices Pope Francis I is interested in refining in the Roman Catholic Church today.
As the Latin American nations set out to construct a new government and society in the 1800´s, two opposing models aroused regarding which one would best benefit the countries. ¨Civilization vs. Barbarism¨ by Domingo Sarmiento, a recognized Argentinean revolutionary, contrasts Jose Marti´s ¨Our America¨ ideology which critiques U.S. capitalism and focuses on developing a good government based on the needs of the nations and each nation´s autochthony. Contrastingly, Sarmiento, guided by his beliefs in democratic principles, declares his preference towards the European urbanized way of life as the key to progress and stability for the nations. Despite the differences in the models proposed by Marti and Sarmiento for the New Nations to follow,
Within mainstream society it seems as if there is not a great deal of emphasis on the contributions made by theologians in society, as well as contributions by theologians to religious thought. Particularly in Christendom, ecclesiastical assemblies are so consumed with vain ideas of worship, and content on hearing biblical messages that capitulate to their personal desires, that theological studies are often neglected. Yet the contributions theologians have made in society, and the impact these contributions have had on religious assemblies have been pivotal in guiding religious discourse on subjects such as ethics, morality, and social transformation. It is for this reason, that in this essay an attempt will be made to analyze three essays from three world-renowned theologians of the 20th century. The theologians are Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Walter Wink, all of which have produced the essays used for this analysis, and have written works that have completely challenged status quo religion, and changed the landscape of Christendom forever.
“Liberation theologians refer to this as praxis, not their focal points in teachings but also as their point of
Explain the meaning and significance of the following statement by Gutiérrez, and demonstrate its relationship to a comprehensive view of liberation, (including the danger of reductionism), and the importance of the preferential option for the poor : "The present life is considered to be a test: one’s actions are judged and assessed in relation to the transcendent end. The perspective here is moralistic, and the spirituality is one of flight from this world" (p. 84).
The Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology). God provides us with everything we need; we see this in Genesis where he provided Adam with everything he needed. Jesus became a man by reincarnation; a verse to support this is John 1:14 “
The Story of Christianity is a very informative summation; a continuation of Volume 1 which covered the beginning of the church up to the Protestant Reformation, while Vol. 2 dealt with the Protestant Reformation up to more modern time period. This author delivers a more comprehensive and deeper look into the development of Christianity, which includes particular events which had transpired throughout the world; particularly how Christianity has expanded into Central and South America. Gonzalez opens up this book with the “Call for Reformation,” where he shares with his readers the need for reform; the papacy had started to decline and was corrupt, in addition to the Great Schism, which had further weakened the papacy (p.8). The author explains how the church was not the only issue but that the church’s teachings were off track as well, seeing that the people had deviated from...
In this essay, Marx starts by talking about the difference between political and human emancipation and the dichotomy between the theological human and the political citizen. He furthers his argument using this dichotomy as a foundation, and goes on to say that civil rights hinder the liberation of humans as a species. The views that Marx holds about civil rights give him reason to believe that the idea of civil rights is inappropriate if we seek human, rather than political, emancipation. Marx’s views seem a little biased and driven by communist design, and seem to stem from a personal dislike for theism. While
Is it possible to understand the gospel message, serve as an officer in a church, be sure of your salvation, and yet still not get into heaven when you die? Matthew, one of the original twelve disciples, answered this question clearly. Yes, on “that day”, many will stand before God and hear Him say, “I know you not; depart from me.” (Matthew 7:23 KJV)