Christology in liberation theology: an examination of the nature and role of christology in the latin American theology of liberation with reference to selected theologians, l. boff, g. gutierrez, and j. sohrino

Abstract

Liberation Theology is currently being subjected to a great deal of criticism, especially by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Rome. The theology of liberation is Latin American in origin. Situation of oppression and domination is the order of the day in Latin American Countries. As the poor are exploited in these countries which are dependent on developed countries, the Christian community of this continent endeavours to identify with the aspiration and the struggle of the poor and oppressed for liberation. Liberation Theology is purported to be worked out from this 'preferential option for the poor'. It claims to be a. new way of doing theology in which the concrete situation of the theologian plays an essential hermeneutical role. The hermeneutical key is the commitment to the struggle for liberation. Primacy is given to praxis which is an action towards transforming this unjust situation and to help build a kingdom of justice and peace. In this thesis, we have undertaken to examine the Christologies of Jon Sobrino and Leonardo Boff which are purportedly worked out within the framework of liberation theology. In this thesis we; have four main chapters besides the introductory and concluding chapters. In the introduction we see the origins of liberation theology. In the first two chapters we shall examine the main characteristics and the methodological claim of this theology in general. The third and fourth chapters compromise a critical examination of the christologies of Sobrino and Boff in relation to the methodological position of liberation theology 'in particular that of Gutierrez' who is selected for the purpose of specific references.