Liberation Theology AO2 and Essay Plans

Question 1

Christians should not engage with the ideologies of atheists such as Marx

Answer 1

• Cardinal Ratzinger warned against liberation theology.
• it is dangerous because Marxism contains intolerant aspects and can emphasis class and community at the expense of the individual.
• Christian liberation should first and foremost be seen as liberation from sin
• Christianity cannot adopt a Marxist analysis eihtout changing from a Christian world to a Marxist world view because Marxism is inherently unchristian.
• Kloppenburg argued that opposition to oppression should not be emphasised even more than the teachings of the Gospels.
• it emphasises structural sin over personal sin, whereas the Bible emphasises personal sin and reconciliation through God’s forgiveness and grace
• Richard McBrien argued that Liberation theology takes some biblical themes but ignores others and only sees oppression in economical terms.

Question 2

Christian thinkers should engage with the ideologies such as Marx

Answer 2

• Gutierezz not to get involved as it is almost sinful that you are keeping the situation as it is.
• Gutierrez shared Marx’s view of corruption in Capitalism but he did warn against adopting all of Marx’s teachings.
• Orthopraxy becomes before orthodoxy. Actions are more use to he oppressed than words.
• Boff brothers-they wrote about the idea that Lib Theology never treats Marxism as a subject on it’s own. It is only used as a means of helping the poor.
• Christianity should be prepared to act against injustice in this world, not just wait for everything to be made right in heaven.

Question 3

Liberation Theology would be more successful if it became Marxist in it’s outlook

Answer 3

-Christianity can sometimes hold back a Marxist recognition of the causes of inequality by attributing spiritual causes such as personal sin, when it should be looking at the ‘social sins’ of Capitalism and their effects on alienating the working classes.
-Direct action in support of the oppressed needs to come before concerns against orthodoxy of belief. Jesus dealt with first with the immediate needs of those who sought healing (poverty- physical/material) before then forgiving their sins (spiritual). (Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5000)
-Jose Miranda-‘there is an overwhelming need to study these with great dedication’. marxism and Christianity/
-Denys Turner- liberation theology should go further and engage with Marx
Gutierrez shared Marx’s views of corruption in Capitalism but did warn against adopting all of Marx’s teachings.

Question 4

Liberation Theology would NOT be more successful if it became Marxist in it’s outlook

Answer 4

• If Christianity focussed more on Marxism and less on Christian teachings it would become ‘de-spiritualised’ and more materialistic in it’s pursuits.
• Christianity looks for the coming of the Kingdom of God as an eternal reality not just a world reality.
• Christianity with it’s emphasis on spiritual liberation may be of more practical help for people struggling with happiness and oppression.
• Cardinal Ratzinger
• It is impossible to write the wrongs of society because of original sin.
• History has repeatedly shown that adopting a more Marxist mentality does not yield happiness.

Question 5

Christianity should prioritise one group over another

Answer 5

-Biblical support- Jesus’ teachings and actions could be seen to support the ‘preferential option for the poor’
- Matthew 19:21 ‘Jesus answered, If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me”
“For i was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Matthew 25:35
-Jesus repeatedly warned against the dangers of power, wealth and social status and how they mean nothing to God
-Boff and Boff- God does not sit back, dispassionately and disengaged with the world but gets involved and takes sides with the poor (Jesus was born into poverty not wealth)

Question 6

Christianity should not prioritise one group over another

Answer 6

-Some argue that although Christianity is deeply concerned with the needs of the poor, lib theology rakes one step too far (Gutierrez)- encouraging Christians to take their eyes off salvation and focus on the needs of the world.
-Yes, Jesus talked about the needs of the poor- but poverty comes in many forms. E.g. spiritual, psychological, social, material physical etc.
-St John Paul II- argued that wealth does not shield people from spiritual poverty, and the rich are as capable of becoming profoundly unhappy as the poor.
-Biblical basis- Jesus says in the Beatitudes ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’- this suggest that those who are spiritually poor are in great need of God’s help.
-Jesus came for all whether rich or poor- he heals many who are suffering from physical poverty (miracles of healing such as the blind man) those who are wealthy but are suffering from the poverty of bereavement and those who are financially wealthy but spiritually far from God.
Mattheus ans Zacchaeus, Tax collectors)