Liberation Theology

Question 1

what kind of movement is liberation theology?

Answer 1

practical

Question 2

when and where did liberation theology begin?

Answer 2

latin america in 1964

Question 3

who are the main scholars of liberation theology?

Answer 3

gustav gutierrez

sobrino

Question 4

what is liberation theology a response to?

Answer 4

poverty and corruption in latin america

Question 5

what do liberation theologists beleive the greatest tool for change is?

Answer 5

education

Question 6

liberation theologians encourage orthopraxis over orthodoxy - what does this mean?

Answer 6

action before theory

Question 7

what did liberation theology aim to bring about?

Answer 7

the kingdom of earth on heaven

Question 8

briefly explain marxist theory

Answer 8

• bourgeoisie hold power, proletariat are alienated
• proletariat are oppressed leading to a class divide
• proletariat will revolt

Question 9

what was happening to latin america in the 1960s?

Answer 9

it was at a crossroads between capitalism and socialism

many lived in poverty

Question 10

how did gutierrez incorporate marxism into liberation theology?

Answer 10

believed that the poor and dehumanised wanted to overcome the current power
believed christians had a duty to act for the poor and promote justice

Question 11

what is structural sin?

Answer 11

theological term meaning sin (oppression alienation and inequality) being bought about by sinful institutions/ systems

Question 12

where is structural sin evident?

Answer 12

in capitalist society, socialism is therefore a better option

Question 13

what is the preferential option for the poor?

Answer 13

biblical notion that god favours the poor and marginalised

Question 14

who identified the preferential option for the poor?

Answer 14

segundo

Question 15

what does the prefential option poor suggest that christians should do?

Answer 15

they should not remain neutral but should stand with and liberate the poor

Question 16

what did pope john paul ii suggest about the preferential option for the poor?

Answer 16

‘poor’ also implies poor in spirit

Question 17

define exploitation

Answer 17

unfair treatment of another in order to benefit from them

Question 18

define alienation

Answer 18

humans are demonised / isolated

Question 19

define capitalism

Answer 19

privately owned means of production in order to make profit

Question 20

define conscientisation

Answer 20

becoming conscious of power struggles

Question 21

what were base communities?

Answer 21

christian groups that gathered to resolve local poverty

Question 22

what are the two major critisisms of liberation theology?

Answer 22

marxism contains intolerant aspects

a perversion of the eucharist to become a celebration of power struggle

Question 23

name two important issues liberation theology raises

Answer 23

for the starving poor is spiritual sin the most important liberation?
matthew 25 focuses on human actions for the most needy