Liberation Theology and Marx

What is the central debate in Liberation Theology vs Traditional Catholicism?

Whether Christianity should focus primarily on social and political liberation for the poor (Liberation Theology) or prioritize spiritual salvation and orthodox doctrine (Traditional Catholicism).

What are the three main bases for Liberation Theology (LT) arguments?

1. Politics & Marxist influence
2. Christian ethics (orthopraxis)
3. Biblical support for liberation

Why did Liberation Theology arise in Latin America?

Extreme poverty, wealth inequality, and authoritarian regimes backed by the U.S. Cold War policy. The Church focused on charity, but LT argued this treated symptoms, not causes.

How does Marxism influence Liberation Theology?

Marxist ideas of alienation and exploitation highlight systemic injustice in capitalism. LT uses Marx as a tool to analyze structures of sin, not as a foundational ideology.

How do LT theologians use Marx without being Marxist?

They adopt Marx’s methodological pointers to address structural poverty and injustice, guided by religious ethics, not atheist ideology.

• Example: Boff emphasizes helping the poor as a religious duty, not a Marxist goal.

What did the 1968 Medellín Conference endorse?

Recognition of institutionalized violence and structural sin. Christians must address systemic injustice, not just personal sin.

What is the preferential option for the poor?

Principle that Christians must prioritize solidarity with the poor, following Jesus’ example (Pedro Arrupe, Vatican II).

How does Liberation Theology reverse traditional orthodoxy?

Orthopraxis first, orthodoxy second – action to help the poor informs theology, rather than theology dictating action.

• Gutierrez: “Theology is a critical reflection on Christian praxis in the light of the Word.”

What is structural sin?

Sin embedded in economic and political systems, e.g., exploitative labor, corrupt governments, unjust laws. Christians must dismantle these structures as part of ethical duty.

How do LT theologians justify their approach biblically?

Scripture highlights God’s preference for the oppressed:

• Exodus: God frees Israelites from slavery

• Prophets (Amos, Isaiah): defend the poor

• Jesus’ teachings: anti-wealth, solidarity, healing the marginalized (Matt 6, Matt 19, Good Samaritan, Rich Man and Lazarus)

How is the Kingdom of God interpreted in LT?

As integral liberation – breaking into history now through acts of social, political, and spiritual justice. Salvation = liberation of body, spirit, and society.

How do LT theologians view Christianity politically?

Christianity is inherently political: faith requires confronting systemic injustice, not just individual charity.

• Jon Sobrino: siding with the “crucified peoples” mirrors Christ’s crucifixion.

What is Pope Benedict XVII’s (Ratzinger) counter?

Christians should not adopt atheist ideologies like Marxism; communism caused tens of millions of deaths and violated human rights.

How do LT theologians respond to Ratzinger?

LT does not adopt Marxism as a worldview; Marxism is used as a tool to identify structural sin, but actions are guided by religious ethics, not atheist ideology.

• Dom Helder Camara: “When I help the poor they call me a saint, when I ask why… they call me a communist.”

How do LT theologians prioritize ethics?

Praxis first – helping the poor enables spiritual and moral freedom. Orthodoxy follows action.

• Boff: helping others > knowing correct orthodoxy

• Gutierrez: without liberation, spiritual freedom is constrained

How does Pope John Paul II counter LT ethics?

Prioritizes spiritual liberation; economic interventions alone cannot address pornography, drugs, consumerism. Orthodoxy should guide ethical duty to the poor.

How do LT theologians respond to JP2?

Social and economic liberation are interdependent with spiritual liberation.

• Consumerism, drugs, and pornography often stem from economic inequality.

• LT provides a holistic account of sin and poverty – “integral liberation.”

What biblical evidence supports LT?

God consistently acts for the oppressed:

• Exodus & Prophets: defend the poor

• Jesus: challenges wealth, aids marginalized

• Cross: solidarity with the oppressed; discipleship = struggle for justice

How does Traditional Catholicism counter LT biblical claims?

• Bishop Kloppenberg: Jesus’ teachings on wealth were individual, not structural

• John Paul II: Kingdom of God “not of this world”; pay taxes to Caesar → religion is spiritual, not political

How do LT theologians respond to RCC biblical critiques?

Contextual interpretation:

• Pre-capitalist society → Jesus’ teachings challenged social placement of wealth

• Parables are subversive → Crossan: “Give to Caesar” = oppose imperialism, not separate religion from politics

• De facto liberation: following Jesus’ teachings → structural change

What are secular criticisms of Christianity?

• Nietzsche: otherworldliness → disempowers humans

• Marx: “opiate of the people” → dulls revolutionary drive

• Problem of evil → Christianity fails to address suffering

How does Liberationist Christianity respond?

• Bonhoeffer: “religionless Christianity” → solidarity and discipleship in this world

• Moltmann: God suffers with oppressed → offers hope

• Gutierrez & Boff: act against poverty, see Christ in the poor (“crucified peoples”) → Christianity becomes radical, active, ethical

What is the overall evaluation?

LT rescues Christianity from passivity or complicity with oppression.

• Rebukes Nietzsche’s otherworldliness, Marx’s passivism, and problem of evil critiques

• Relevance: Christianity can lead society morally and politically in a world of inequality