LIBERATION THEOLOGY Using the Bible to demand socio-economic justice for the poor Using the Bible to demand socio-economic justice for the poor Liberation from injustice Liberation from injustice How far can Christians go in bringing about change? How far can Christians go in bringing about change?

Historical inputs towards L.T. The “discovery” of the New World The “discovery” of the New World Spain / Portugal imperial ambitions Devastation of indigenous peoples C.19 th Independence C.19 th Independence Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, El Salvador Neo-colonialism - 1st World / 3rd World Neo-colonialism - 1st World / 3rd World military oligarchies / multinational corps.

Problems, politics and Theology Marxism Marxism Intellectual interests in society Intellectual interests in society Revolutionary interests in society: Cuba, Guevara Revolutionary interests in society: Cuba, Guevara The Church responds: The Church responds: Vatican: Vatican 2, 1965 Vatican: Vatican 2, 1965 Medellin: Columbia, 1968 CELAM conferences Medellin: Columbia, 1968 CELAM conferences Puebla: Mexico, 1979 Puebla: Mexico, 1979 Santo Domingo: Mexico, 1993 Santo Domingo: Mexico, 1993

Liberation Theology on an intellectual level Used social science as a tool for understanding problems facing society; particularly.. Used social science as a tool for understanding problems facing society; particularly.. Marxism – an active philosophy supporting social change and equality, best brought about through revolution. Social structure and ownership of resources needs to be levelled out and shared amongst all, under control of the state. Critical and makes much use of study to see what it thinks is really wrong. Marxism – an active philosophy supporting social change and equality, best brought about through revolution. Social structure and ownership of resources needs to be levelled out and shared amongst all, under control of the state. Critical and makes much use of study to see what it thinks is really wrong. The hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church was suspicious of the link with atheist Marxism. The hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church was suspicious of the link with atheist Marxism.

The context 1960’s Latin America 1960’s Latin America A Response or reaction to A Response or reaction to Poverty Poverty 3 rd world = 3 rd class 3 rd world = 3 rd class Political oppression Political oppression Widening the gap Widening the gap Realisation that this was not ‘the norm’ Realisation that this was not ‘the norm’ Conscientization Conscientization

Western church response vs reality Western church response vs reality People acted People acted Top down reversal Top down reversal Communides Ecclesias de Bases Communides Ecclesias de Bases Archbishop Romero Archbishop Romero "When the church hears the cry of the oppressed it cannot but denounce the social structures that give rise to and perpetuate the misery from which the cry arises." "When the church hears the cry of the oppressed it cannot but denounce the social structures that give rise to and perpetuate the misery from which the cry arises."

Scripture Exodus: Liberation of the Israelites Exodus: Liberation of the Israelites Laws: Deut. 24:19-21, Lev. 19:9-10 Laws: Deut. 24:19-21, Lev. 19:9-10 Prophets: Isaiah 10, 61 … Amos 5 … Micah … Zephaniah Prophets: Isaiah 10, 61 … Amos 5 … Micah … Zephaniah Gospels: Matt 5, 25 …Luke 4 … Gospels: Matt 5, 25 …Luke 4 …

Liberationist Theology Prophetic theology Prophetic theology Eschatological Eschatological Structural sin Structural sin Interpretation reflection praxis Interpretation reflection praxis Eisergesis not exegesis Eisergesis not exegesis Transformation and revolution Transformation and revolution

Aims of Liberation Theology – the mission of the church in Latin America These were emphasised by Gutierrez: These were emphasised by Gutierrez: Political and Social transformation – daily life level of change Political and Social transformation – daily life level of change Emancipation of the poor – specific help to the oppressed Emancipation of the poor – specific help to the oppressed Breaking free of selfishness and sin – Theological level Breaking free of selfishness and sin – Theological level Ideas developed at Medellin ’68, and published as “Toward a Theology of Liberation” ’71 Ideas developed at Medellin ’68, and published as “Toward a Theology of Liberation” ’71

Liberation Theology Impact on Mission Lets Go Local

Impact On Mission in U.K. Context Immediate Response is context is very different in UK as we have: Freedom of the press Freedom of the press Free education Free education Life without oppression Life without oppression Religion in Latin America more the preserve of the poor Religion in Latin America more the preserve of the poor Religion in U.K. almost entirely the preserve of middle / upper classes Religion in U.K. almost entirely the preserve of middle / upper classes

Impact On Mission in U.K. However is this just an excuse ? People socially excluded People socially excluded People on the margins of society People on the margins of society Growing divide between the have’s & have nots Growing divide between the have’s & have nots Charity does not solve the cause of the problem Charity does not solve the cause of the problem Unfair social & economic order Unfair social & economic order

Impact On Mission in U.K. Challenge For Us Are we guilty of embracing secularism in looking to inculture the gospel? Are we guilty of embracing secularism in looking to inculture the gospel? Evolutionary nature of our church is orientated to upholding the status quo Evolutionary nature of our church is orientated to upholding the status quo Liberation Theology encourages a greater emphasis on faith in action Liberation Theology encourages a greater emphasis on faith in action Come on get your hands dirty!!!! Come on get your hands dirty!!!!

… for he has appointed me to preach good news to the poor He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come that the blind will see Luke 4: 18,19

Written by: Written by: David Moulden David Moulden Iorwerth Price Iorwerth Price Rob Ryan Rob Ryan Nick Witham Nick Witham