liberation theology Flashcards
what is included?
marx theory of alienation and exploitation
liberation theology adressing social sin
preferential option for the poor
orthodoxy vs orthopraxis
boff, gutierrez, boninio, sobrinio?
context:
20thc development in christian thought and action that arose in south americs. it began when a number of latin americans committed themselves to what they believed to be the gospel imperative to bring social justice and political freedom to the poor.
these ideas were based on karl marx and his idea of alienation
orthodoxy vs orthopraxis (guettirez)
arguably the founder of liberation theology; his book, ‘the power of the poor’
began to think in terms of practical theology ‘orthopraxis’ than just teaching the doctrines ‘orthodoxy’
he argued everything is evidence for Gods preferential option for the poor e/g 1 corinthians says ‘the last will be first’
he identified the origin of liberation theology as ‘premature and unjust death of many people’
guettirez on marx
We can accept Marx’s economic views without accepting his anti-religious views.
Gutierrez only accepted his critique of capitalism
Focused on poverty and social sin
guettirez quotes
“Christian Theology is a critical reflection on Christian praxis in the light of the word of God”
‘premature and unjust death of many people’
marx- alienation and exploitation
means of production are ALIENATED from the product, and are exploited
there needs to be a ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’
marx on religion; why is this problematic?
Religion is the “opiate of the people” which cushions the proletariat from achieving class consciousness
Religion leads to acceptance of their exploitation because of the promise of heaven
marx took his idea from fuerbach, he says god is a projection of our own sense of self, god does not exist but religion is not bad; (genesis 1.26 flipped; ‘man is made in the image of god)
criticism for liberation theology; Marxism is too idealistic, e.g Russia and China which have tried it still have vast amounts of inequality
liberation theology, which was embraced in south america, has some of the highest rates of poverty and class inequality.
it is unchristian; allister McGrath; ‘an unholy alliance between christianity and marxism’
sobrinio
“the poor are the authentic theological source for understanding Christian truth and practice”
similar to guettirez, argued that for for years, the churched had helped the powerful and wealthy minorities in society and many latin american christians were very poor and struggling to survive
was a protestant. doctrine and faith ORTHODOXY, should be supported by practical discipleship ORTHOPRAXY.
biblical basis for marxism
Matthew 19:24 - “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God”
Rich man and lazarus- warns against greed- rich man is buried and the poor man is taken to heaven - luke 16
marx frees people from the tyranny and materialism just as jesus does e.g Matthew 21:12-13 - “[Jesus] drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves”
rattzinger - opposed liberation theology
Atheism and the denial of human freedoms is at the core of Marxism, it is intrinsically unchristian and so should not be used as a Christian lens to view society
Those who employ revolutionary politics “betray the poor they mean to help”
they are insufficiently critical of marx
Camaras argument against Razzinger
“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist”
also, christianity has always been, to some exent, marxist (easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than a rich man to go to heaven… matt 19:24
social sin
Defined by the Roman Catholic Church as “those actions which are the results of thousands or even millions of different selfish choices by as many different people” e.g capitalism, pollution etc…
final criticisms?
Christianity cannot work under marxism- marxism is secular
We need the church to interpret and etc- chosen by god
ALL ARGUMENTS FOR REVEALED THEOLOGY WHICH NECESSITATES THE CHURCH…
Romans 13:1-7
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”
if this question comes up SKIPPPPPP at maximum velocity
