ILT: Introduction

Now that school is in full swing, I have found a rhythm again. The good Lord willin’ and the creeks don’t rise, I’ll be blogging regularly. Especially now that I have a topic.

A friend has asked me my opinion on the often contentiousness topic of Liberation Theology. Since the late seventies, a good way to clear a room of theological (and political) conservatives is to mention that you are an adherent of the theology of liberation. This situation was intensified even more so as the result of the Jeremiah Wright controversy during the election last year. The rhetoric of this movement is often abrasive and challenging and therefore causes a great deal of distress to the more conservative among us.

A great deal of misinformation about Liberation Theology is tossed back and forth in political and theological discussions both on and off line. I venture to guess that many of my readers have partaken or witnessed these discussions.

Therefore, there is need for a basic, short introduction to this school of thought. This introduction will take the form of a series of (short) blog posts on the main ideas, figures, genres, and histories of Liberation Theology. I hope that this series can be of help, even if it is only to help us disagree more fruitfully.

One more note is necessary, it is no secret that I am very sympathetic with the concerns of Liberation Theology. But I will try to maintain a more “objective” tone and will (try) to refrain from polemics. Polemics most assuredly have their place, but this introduction is not that venue.

I pray this series will sustain in all of us a deeper obligation to the least among us.