LIBERATION THEOLOGY: ETHICAL DIMENSIONS (CEST-4900)

The course takes a historical and thematic approach to examine the fundamental presuppositions of Latin American liberation theology, which traces its origins to the grassroots Christian communities that struggled for justice and solidarity with the oppressed in the 1960s. It explores its contribution to contemporary theology and assesses its efforts to articulate the Christian message as a practical response against oppression and on behalf of integral human liberation. The course explores the characteristics, methods, and approaches of Latin American liberation theology, the main problems that confront them, and some of the most important criticisms in its regard. The topics will include the spirituality of liberation, grace, eschatology and politics, the Church and virtue of poverty, and other important theologico-pastoral questions. In addition, the course explores some of the liberationist voices that come forward from different social and cultural contexts and their ethical implications.