Liberation Theology: History 1. Vatican II 2. Medellin Conference Latin American Bishops(1968)
Beliefs 2. Beliefs Group 1: pp. 112-Nicaraguan peasant mass How does this compare with forms of Christianity that you are most familiar with? Group 2: Murals What are your general impressions of liberation theology?
Liberation Theology: Doctrines 1. Theology comes out of the action of liberation 2. Usage, but not wholesale acceptance of, Marxism 3. God of the poor- 4. Sin 5. Christ as liberator not separate from this world 6. Salvation occurs in history not in a separate "city" 7. Church should not be neutral but show a "preferential option for the poor" 8. New man, new society (inner and societal change go together) (From Christian Smith -The Emergence of Liberation Theology
Liberation Theology: Practices A. CEBs Ecclesial base communities B. Links to leftist and guerrilla movements
What factors would Gramsci/Scott say were key? Gramsci 106-7 Question—When do the “popular” religious traditions of peasants and the lower classes become the basis for popular political mobilization? What factors would Gramsci/Scott say were key? Gramsci 106-7 Scott 107-8 Nepstad 119-120
Closing Opportunities 1. Puebla Conference 1979 2. Pope John Paul II 1978-2005 Cardinal Ratzinger/ Pope Benedict XVI 2005-2013 3. Pope Francis 2013—A new opening?