Liberation theology Flashcards
What was the motivation behind the liberation theology movement?
It places orthopraxy over orthodoxy - focusing on the experiences of the poor and interprets Christianity to respond to poverty/alienation/exploitation.
Dom Helder Camara quote
“When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me communist”
What point does Dom Helder Camara make?
When acting to help the poor, people are applauded. However, when these people ask why people are in positions of suffering - they get deemed extreme communists.
What is the difference between traditional theology and liberation theology?
Traditional theology focuses on orthodoxy over orthopraxy. Placing scripture and beliefs over action.
What two parts does Gutierrez see liberation theology in?
Firstly, social and economic liberation. As poverty/oppression are caused by humans and therefore can be remedied by them.
Secondly, liberation from sin. This is reconciling with God .
Both methods are essential.
Why does Juan Segundo disagree with Gutierrez’s order of liberation?
He argued that orthodoxy shouldn’t be secondary to orthopraxy. He was concerned that placing action over theology could lead to ideological distortions and a loss of theological depth.
Gutierrez quote on his refefined theology
“A critical reflection on praxis in light of the Word of God”
Catechism of the Catholic church quote on social justice
“God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor”
John Calvin quote on faith in ethical living
“Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone”
So faith must manifest in ethical living.
What is Bonhoeffer’s idea of social justice?
In his concept of “costly grace” argued that authentic Christian faith requires action.
“Grace is costly because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It costs a man his life”
How did Pope Benedict XVI criticise strands of liberation theology?
He warned against Marxist influences that could distort Christian doctrine.
How would Augustine go against liberation theology?
He argues that correct belief leads to right action, not the other way around, reinforcing that doctrine comes first.
How would Papal Teachings go against liberation theology?
While social justice is vital, it must be grounded in a Christ-centered faith.
“An authentic theology of liberation will be one that is rooted in the truth of faith”
How does Marx blame the powerful for causing alienation?
There is human activity behind the experience of the powerless, social institutions foster this behaviour due to the desire for production.
When did society begin to fracture according to Marx?
When it was able to create a surplus, this is because class divisions emerged between the powerful (who could benefit the surplus) and the powerless (who aided the powerful, yet didn’t benefit themselves)
How does Marx describe the worker?
“Depressed both intellectually and physically, to the level of a machine”
What is social sin?
Structural or systematic injustices in society that arise from collective human choices, rather than just individual wrongdoing. It involves the way in which economic, political and social structures contribute to oppression.
How do liberation theologians understand the story of The Rich and the kingdom of God differently to the Church ?
The Church teaches that the man was not wrong to have wealth ; the test is how he should have used it.
Liberation theologians would use the hermeneutic of suspicion to question how the rich man gained his wealth and whether he has perpetuated structural sin.
How might the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus support the ideas of liberation theology?
It shows that favoring and holding onto wealth isn’t good enough even alongside a belief in God - it leads to Hell.
Quote from The Rich Man and the Kingdom of God
“It is easier for a camel to go though the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”
How does the acts 2 model of the Church link to liberation theology?
“They sold possessions to give to anyone who needed. And the Lord would save them”
They preferred action - good actions - over belief.
How does the parable of the sheep and goats link to liberation theology?
It is the actions of an individual that earns them a place in heaven. Those who follow the laws and commandments of God but don’t accompany this with action aren’t doing enough to get to heaven.
How does Marxism tackle social issues?
Marxists dem capitalism as something which causes inequality and poverty as the rich benefit from the poor.
Therefore, Marx believes a classless society should be developed - as suffering is an economic problem which needs practical change.
For liberation theologians, the Kingdom of God is current (inaugurates eschtatology) - what are the implications of this belief?
That they believe humans should work and do good deeds in order to utilise God’s grace and love on earth, which will allow for salvation in the kingdom of God.
St Theresa of Avilia “Christ has no body but yours”
