What Is Liberation Theology?

Have you heard or read about Liberation Theology? What does this mean? Liberated from what?

Liberation Theology

The word “liberation” simply means the act or process of freeing someone or something from another’s control. It’s basically the act of liberating someone or something from another or something else that’s restricting their freedom. More precisely, for the Roman Catholic Church, it is a school of theology that calls for people to be free from political, social, and economic oppression. It could also include the call to be free from racism as well. This system of theology was developed by South American Roman Catholics clergy. It is the struggle from oppression of many things, but it is forward-looking toward the ultimate salvation. Their political philosophy has been accused of being a bit Marxist looking, but the South American Catholics look at it as a struggle for liberation from social, political, racial, and economic injustice.

Liberation Theology’s Roots

Liberation Theology has been described as a “poor man’s” theology, birthed out of experiences of the poor. It has now spread and became an international movement among many denominations; however the Vatican’s not happy with it because some of the past oppression apparently included the Catholic Church itself, including those that go back hundreds of years ago. The church didn’t accept any blame for past oppressions from the church’s hierarchy and to them, it’s not in the same class as the “poor man’s” theology because that arose due to political, economic, and social oppression; therefore the Vatican rejected the South American’s Liberation Theology. The United States has not looked favorably upon it either because they saw it as resembling Marxism.

The Primitive Church

The first Brethren Church (formed 1708) focused on living like the so-called “primitive church” did as we can read about it in the Book of Acts. Alexander Mack was the church’s first pastor and he shared much of his wealth for the poor in his church until he ran out of money. This is what Liberation Theology seeks to return to; the first century church in both practice and living, however it’s interesting that the first century church was actually less involved in the social and political sphere of Jerusalem. The only time members of the church got involved in the political system was when they got arrested for preaching the gospel, and neither did they prayed (in the Book of Acts) for society to change but rather prayed to change themselves into more Christ-likeness and be bolder in proclaiming the gospel (Acts 4:29-30). Liberation Theology’s goal and the first century church’s goal are not the same. Liberation Theology seeks to reform society and the political system without, but the first century church sought out lost people and sought change within. They also prayed for their leaders.

Liberation Theology Gone Bad

Liberation Theology is a great idea, up to a point. Yes, we desperately need political reform with things like term limits for Congress, (even though it’s doubtful that that will ever happen), but how best do we go about doing that? The problem comes when someone who is liberal interprets Liberation Theology given permission to use as a sword, and point to Matthew 10:34 where Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword,” but clearly, the context of Matthew 10 isn’t about arming a mob and having them retake Jerusalem by force. Jesus didn’t need a force. He had legions of angels at His disposal. Anyway, knowing what Jesus taught about loving our enemies, praying for our enemies, and doing good to those who hate us (Matt 5), we know His intent in saying, statement, “he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one” (Luke 22:36). This is not Jesus instructing His disciples to arm themselves and awaiting His signal to overthrow the Romans. Context is always king.

The Real Liberation Theology

We don’t need to come up with some new theology. We have all the theology we need and will ever need. The Apostle Paul wrote that our theology of life should be that we “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight” (Rom 12:16), and never “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (Rom 12:17) and if it’s at all “possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom 12:18-19). Ignore your natural impulse to respond with anger, but “To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” (Rom 12:20).

Conclusion

I believe we should do as much good as we can to make this world a better place, like recycling, using our resources wisely, and helping those who cannot help themselves, but in the end, it will take an act of God to change this world, but it will be an act of God Who will change this world, and that will come in the Person of Jesus Christ Who will reign and rule in righteousness. There will be no more hurt, pain, sorrow, grief, and even death (Rev 21:4), so set your eyes upon Jesus for He will make every crooked thing straight.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.