Theologians describe theology as the study of the nature and science of God. Liberation theology finds that faith is indivisible from impoverished communities, which represents a majority of Latin America. For such a theology, Gustavo Gutierrez points out the important question, “How is it possible to tell the poor, who are forced to live in conditions that embody a denial of love, that God loves them?” By being aware of present situations and questioning the system, showing others love through God’s will, and deferring between human faith and reality, that the significance lays. It also implores the challenge of understanding faith and poverty in Latin America, and illustrates a qualitative approach to salvation through hope.
In the 1960’s, …show more content…
Gutiérrez illustrates that theology is essentially a critical reflection on humankind and it’s primitive social principles (9). Gutierrez also identifies the poor as the starting point of liberation theology. He states, “the historical womb from which liberation theology has emerged is the poor” (xxxiii). This means that the best starting point for theology is in the present and social circumstances that humans are currently in. The poor are considered a priority, but also privilege since they are the “privilege members of the reign of God.” In this context, the poor are shown that God loves them through loving actions of believers. When one does a selfless act or show love through God to another person, they are fundamentally pursuing God’s destiny through fellowship. Gutierrez’s central question implies that the living conditions in Latin America represent an absence of love, God, and an opportunity to perform God’s will. However, the love and liberation can reverse that absence. He observed that every person has the agency to make a change or to selflessly help those in need. Importantly, his observation relates humans with the task of being loving and treats others with respect. From then, sharing the love of God with the other person creates fellowship to God. Gutierrez writes, “ there is liberation from social situations of oppression and marginalization that force many to live in conditions contrary to God’s will for their life” (xxxviii). Filiation defines all people are children of God, who live by having their actions represent God. This is continuously done in churches to spread faith. It also infers that Gutierrez’s statement would be invalid if God’s love and the Christian gospel were not about changing the conditions of the impoverished politically, socially, and
In the 1960’s, …show more content…
Gutiérrez illustrates that theology is essentially a critical reflection on humankind and it’s primitive social principles (9). Gutierrez also identifies the poor as the starting point of liberation theology. He states, “the historical womb from which liberation theology has emerged is the poor” (xxxiii). This means that the best starting point for theology is in the present and social circumstances that humans are currently in. The poor are considered a priority, but also privilege since they are the “privilege members of the reign of God.” In this context, the poor are shown that God loves them through loving actions of believers. When one does a selfless act or show love through God to another person, they are fundamentally pursuing God’s destiny through fellowship. Gutierrez’s central question implies that the living conditions in Latin America represent an absence of love, God, and an opportunity to perform God’s will. However, the love and liberation can reverse that absence. He observed that every person has the agency to make a change or to selflessly help those in need. Importantly, his observation relates humans with the task of being loving and treats others with respect. From then, sharing the love of God with the other person creates fellowship to God. Gutierrez writes, “ there is liberation from social situations of oppression and marginalization that force many to live in conditions contrary to God’s will for their life” (xxxviii). Filiation defines all people are children of God, who live by having their actions represent God. This is continuously done in churches to spread faith. It also infers that Gutierrez’s statement would be invalid if God’s love and the Christian gospel were not about changing the conditions of the impoverished politically, socially, and