✅Liberation Theology Flashcards
what does alienation occur?
occurs when humans are dehumanized and unable to live fulfilling lives.
when does exploitation occur?
occurs when humans are treated as objects and used as a means to an end
how does liberation theology link to marxism
use of marxist analysis to analyse the deeper understanding or structural causes of social sin that result in poverty and injustice.
what did marx think should happen?
a revolution
what did marx think humans were used for?
just another clog in the machine. another means to production
what is liberation theology?
focuses on the action first, which is orthopraxy.
Christians have to reflect critically on their experiences in life.
focuses on experiences of the poor, and sees Christianity as an opportunity to respond to poverty another examples of exploitation.
what is orthopraxy
focusing on the action first, the right practice.
what is orthodoxy?
the right belief.
what does capitalism say according to marx
creates a world on which wealth and power are concentrated in the hands on the few at the expense of the many.
where did liberation theology begin?
theological movement that began in 1964. young catholic theologians met in brazil and vowed to find what the true Christian message was in the face of poverty.
who were the 2 members of the group of liberation theologians?
Gustavo Gutierrez and Jon Sobrino.
what does liberation theology promote?
the kingdom of God. the world made anew.
how did liberation happen according to Gutierrez?
must be a social and economic liberation, and people must be liberated from sin and reconciled with God.
where does marxism come into liberation theology?
the more humans have the power to control the world, the more they feel like they are not in control.
Marx believed it is human activity behind the experiences of powerlessness, and humans don’t have a fixed nature but have to work to survive.
how does capitalism happen?
when a human society reaches a point that it can create a surplus, it begins to fracture. class divisions emerge between those who have control over the means, and those who don't.
what is a surplus?
produce more resources that what was needed for your direct community
what are feudal lords?
they own the land and so have means to produce food.
what are serfs?
they work the land, but do not own it. therefore, they are reliant on the lords for access to the land, and must give surplus back to them. this means the serfs are alienated from the land and subservient to the lords.
what is marx’s views on capitalism?
capitalism changed the relationship between people and production resulting in a social divide. the wealthy owners vs the workers.
what is capitalism?
an economical system in which the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit.
how is Apple an example of capitalism?
its a factory system, where the stages of production are separated, people only relate top the part of the process they are working on. they are dehumanized and unable to live fulfilling lives because they are being exploited by the factory owners as a means to an end.
what are the problems with capitalism?
Marx predicted the emergence of a class struggle between different groups in society. those who were oppressed would begin to violently resist the structures that alienate them.
what price does our happiness come at?
the exploitation of others. as we are part of the supply chain. we dehumanize as well.
what must the church be for the exploited?
a voice against alienation and exploitation. it requires orthopraxis before orthodoxy.
what is marx’s most important impact on liberation theology?
understanding the development of capitalism and the belief that humans could change the world they live in.
why did Guiterrez say not all of Marxism could be used?
as marxism didn’t support religion in society.
what does the 1968 term by Father Pedro Arrupe refer to?
the trend in the bible, shows preference for individuals who are on the margins of society and are powerless
the way in which jesus associated himself more closed with the poor and the dispossessed.
what is the central theme to liberation theology?
Christians shouldn’t maintain an attitude of neutrality in the face of tragic and pressing problems of human misery and injustice.
who said:
“intends to struggle, by her own means, for the defense and advancement of the rights of mankind, especially the poor.
“Theology and the church”
Juan Segundo
what is liberation theology’s teaching on the “preferential option for the poor?”
LT has a special concern for the poor and oppressed like God as defender. urges people to action and defend.
includes a concern for spiritual poverty, and doesn’t focus exclusively on material or economical poverty.
what did Pope John Paul say about “preferential option for the poor”
in 1991, he used the term in his encyclical Centesimus Annus. “I defined as a special form of primacy in the exercise of christian charity”.
went on to argue that the preferential option for the poor constitutes a great opportunity for the moral, cultural and economical growth of humanity.
what is the catholic church’s response to liberation theology?
became concerned with liberation theology’s use of marxist theories. he argued that the catholic church will continue to struggle for the poor but using its own means and its own ways.
Christianity cannot adopt a marxist analysis without changing from a christian world view to a marxist world view because Marxism is inherently unchristian.
what does Kloppenburg say about liberation theology?
argues that by equating theology with political action, one side-lines the spiritual messages of Christianity.
criticisms of liberation theology?
emphasizes on structural sin over personal sin, despite the fact that Jesus spoke of individual forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
places too much emphasis on people being able to deliver liberation and salvation.
Does Christianity tackle social issues more effectively than marxism?
YES
Christianity focuses on individuals struggle more than the economical whole.
marxism doesn’t provide comfort for those who die in the struggle.
Christianity offers insight into human experience and provide spiritual strength.
Does Christianity tackle social issues more effectively than marxism?
NO
marx believed there is a struggle at the centre of life.
marx did recognize that religion was the “opiate of the masses” thus supporting the masses in difficult times.
What is liberation theology?
Theological movement that starts with an action rather than belief. Considered to be at the heart of the Christian message, starts with the poor and sees the propose of Christianity to fight against exploitation and alienation of the poor
What are Gutierrez 2 distinct ways for liberation happening.
Social and economical liberation, people have to work to overcome the oppression
Liberation from the sin to be reconciled with god and all Christians
Where did liberation theology grow from?
1960 shanty houses where the contract was extreme between rich and poor.
In 1964, group men in petropolis in Brazil and pledged to find the truth of Christian message,
How did liberation theology grow from paulo Freire?
Invented the term “conscientisation” to describe the porches by which a person becomes conscious of the power structure of society. Wanted education to transform society and enable people to understand how to move power structures,