The Origins and Early Development of Liberation Theology in Latin America
Overview
In The Origins and Early Development of Liberation Theology in Latin America, Eddy Jose Muskus provides an academic analysis of the roots of liberation theology. Muskus argues that Bartolome de Las Casas’ sixteenth-century writings have been misinterpreted and misused by such liberation theologians as Gutiérrez to advocate theological agendas, and he challenges claims that the movement began with the Latin American poor, instead proposing that its fundamental tenets originated in Europe. He examines how liberation theology has exposed Catholicism’s shortcomings in providing a moral framework for Latin American society, but he also lays bare many of the movement’s tenets’ lack of biblical basis.
Muskus argues further that the writings of the sixteenth-century Bartolome de Las Casas have been misinterpreted and misused by liberation theologians such as Gutiérrez. Liberation theology has exposed the failure of Catholicism to provide a moral framework within the fabric of Latin American society. Also, contrary to the claims of liberation theology, Muskus argues that there is no biblical foundation for a preferential option for the poor.
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- Foreword by D. Eryl Davies
- Bibliographical references and indexes
Top Highlights
“The claim, therefore, by liberation theologians that the poor are the historical subjects making changes in society is invalid. They are impotent in themselves without the help of the grassroots organizers. The strategy has not been devised by the poor, but by a well informed group of individuals immersed in the Marxist writings of Gramsci and Ernest Bloch. In other words, liberation theology did not emerge from the poor, but from educated, intellectual groups, who in their search for a solution to the tragic circumstances of many Latin Americans were enchanted by an ideology that sadly does not liberate the poor or honour the God of grace.” (Page 258)
“The architects or agents who trigger this magical religious myth found in the poor are the grassroots organizers or organic intellectuals. These are not the poor of Latin America, but middle class men and women who become indispensable for the accomplishment of conscientization.” (Page 258)
“I have discovered, however, that in the implementation of Marxist categories coupled with a rejection of any other alternative philosophical system, liberation theology ultimately relies on the introduction of an historical project (utopia) based on socialism.” (Page 267)
- Title: The Origins and Early Development of Liberation Theology in Latin America
- Author: Eddy Jose Muskus
- Publisher: Paternoster
- Publication Date: 2003
- Pages: 296