Guide Note

Liberation Theology reflects the belief that the mission of Christianity is not only to save souls for the hereafter, but to alleviate poverty and injustice through political activism in this world.

The movement began in South America, but has been embraced in many other areas of the world, including the United States, where its tenets are most prominently exhibited in the Black Liberation Theology movement, started by James Hal Cone.

Fast Facts

Emerged in the 1960's in Latin America
Term first used by Gustavo Gutierrez
Primarily a Roman Catholic movement in Latin America
Black Liberation Theology is seen in Protestant churches in the United States
Pope Benedict XVI opposed the movement when he headed the Roman Catholic Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Emphasis has shifted form poverty to social injustice

Backstory

In Latin America in the 1950s and 1960s, 70% of the population lived in poverty. It was a time of revolution, and the spreading of Marxist ideas.

The Catholic church was well established in the area, having been one of the institutions brought over from Europe when the countries were colonized. Missionaries working with the poor espoused the idea that the church needed to be an agent of change, and that the message of Christianity included a message of social justice.

Jesus's statement in the Bible that "I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword" is used as a basis for their belief that the church has a role to play in class struggles.

2008 US Presidential Campaign

Black Liberation Theology was thrust to the forefront of the news in 2008 with controversial statements made by Jeremiah Wright, the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ.

Wright is a proponent of Black Liberation theology, and the issue of Wright's influence on Obama became an issue in the campaign. Wright was Barack Obama's preacher for 20 years, a fact that caused Obama increasing distress in his fight for the democratic presidential nomination.

Categories

News | Belief and Thought | Social Issues | Politics

View Note History

Liberation Theology

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Liberation Theology
Foreign Policy in Focus: Liberation Theology Lives On (November 15, 2007)
Vatican: Instruction on Certain Aspects of the "Theology of Liberation"(August 6, 1984)
The New York Times: A Fiery Theology Under Fire (May 4, 2008)
The Christian Century: Africentric Church - A Visit To Chicago's Trinity UCC (May 29, 2007)
Liberation Theology and Land Reform: A Concise History of Liberation Theology
YouTube Video: Anthony Bradley On Headline News Network (Time 3:48)

Liberation Theology Recent News Stories

Google News Search: Liberation Theology
TIME: Taming The Liberation Theologians (May 5, 2008)
Sun-Sentinel: Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Theology Recognizable in Latin America (May 1, 2008)
American Thinker: The Real Agenda of Black Liberation Theology (March 19, 2008)
On Faith (Washington Post/Newsweek): What is Liberation Theology? (April 30, 2008)
National Catholic Reporter: Signs Of life In Latin America (November 2, 2007)

Liberation Theology Background

Latin American Liberation Theology

Wikipedia: The Catholic Church And The Nicaraguan Revolution | ELN
Baptist Pillar: The Dangers Of Liberation Theology
Wesley Center Online: Liberation Theology: A Semantic Approach
Religion Link: Liberation Theology: A Challenge To The Church
Brisbane Times: Pope Decries South America's Rich-Poor Gap (March 14, 2007)
Theology Today: Debated Issues In Liberation Theology (January 1987)
YouTube Video: Global Current (#6) Liberation Theology In Latin America (Time:4:03)

Black Liberation Theology

Wikipedia: James Hal Cone
Wake Forest University: Lecture 26 A Black Theology Of Liberation
The Christian Post: The Marxist Roots Of Black Liberation Theology (April 4, 2008)
Christianity Today: Black Theology Revisited (March 1, 2004)
YouTube Video: A Conversation With James Cone A Conversation With James Cone (Time: 20:41)

Palestinian Liberation Theology

Wikipedia: Sabeel
Sabeel: Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, Jerusalem
Front Page Mag: Palestinian Liberation Theology (April 20, 2007)
Oasis of Peace: Palestinian Liberation Theology As A Tool For Peace Education (May 17, 2005)
YouTube Video: Living Under Israeli Occupation: The Christian Palestinian Experience (Time: 9:36)

Central Figures

Father Gustavo Gutierrez

Wikipedia: Father Gustavo Gutierrez
Southern Methodist University: Father Gustavo Gutierrez
Notre Dame Magazine: The Godfather Of Liberation Theology (Winter 07/08)
Catholic News Service: Father Of Liberation Theology Receives Ashes From Pope (February 28, 2007)

James Hal Cone

Wikipedia: James Hal Cone
WikiQuote: James Hal Cone
PBS: James Cone
NPR: Black Liberation Theology, In Its Founder's Words (March 31, 2008)
Beliefnet: The Religious Cancer of Racism (1999)

Jeremiah Wright

Mahalo's Guide to Jeremiah Wright | Trinity United Church Of Christ
Wikipedia: Jeremiah Wright | Jeremiah Wright Sermon Controversy
The College of New Jersey: Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright
Chicago Tribune: Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. Returns To Pulpit At Bank Street Memorial... (April 13, 2008)
YouTube Video: Bill Moyers Journal - Essay on Reverend Wright (Time: 6:26)

Liberation Theology Blogs and Message Boards

News and Views (NPR): Dissecting Black Liberation Theology (May 5, 2008)
Acton Institute: Anthony Bradley On Headline News (March 28, 2008)
Religion (Dallas Morning News): Obama's Church... (March 24, 2008)
Catholicisn, Holiness, and Spirituality: The Discomfort Of Liberation (December 26, 2005)

Liberation Theology Criticism

Catholic Culture: The Retreat of Liberation Theology
Christendom-Awake: Liberation Theology by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (December 9, 2004)
Richard McBrien: Liberation Theology Under Review (July 20, 1984)
Richard McBrien: Liberation Theology's Temptations (January 30, 1976)

Liberation Theology Books

Amazon.com: Liberation Theology Books
Google Books: Liberation Theology: An Introductory Guide
Google Books: Liberation Theology At The Crossroads: Democracy Or Revolution
Google Books: The Liberation Theology After The End Of History
Theology Today: The Reformation And Liberation Theology: Insights For The Challenges Of Today
Google Books: A Black Theology Of Liberation
Google Books: Black Theology: A Documentary History

Related Searches

ELN | Farc | Jeremiah Wright | Black Liberation Theology

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