Liberation Theologies Midterm

Liberation Theologies Midterm

1. What is theology?

   • Two important definitions of theology, especially in the context of this class
     • First and foremost, we can define theology to be the practice of reflecting and thinking critically about the nature and morals involved in one's religious beliefs. This, therefore, involves the study of God, more specifically the Christian God, and how our beliefs relate to our image of Him. Thus, in one sense we can define theology as a tool or theoretical framework, which we can use as a lens to study our beliefs. In one way, theology is a series of thought experiements
     • However, we can also use a second definition of theology as not just a tool for self-reflection, but also as a tool for liberation in the struggle for regaining one's inherent dignity and civil rights. This was widely done by Christian social reformists and civil rights activists who fought for the rights of ethnic minorities in the United States in the 20th century. One example of such a figure is Virgilio Elizondo, who was a pastor in the U.S. and was the founder of the mestizo ideology which placed a theological focus on the liberation struggle of Latino communities living under systemic oppression. Another widely known civil rights activist of the time is Martin Luther King, who made use of Christian ideology to propagate the idea of non-violent protests in the struggle for voting rights for African Americans. This includes his efforts to organize the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama as a demonstration against black people's right to vote.
   • Discuss the different sources of theological reflection

2. What is Black Theology? Identify the sources of Black Theology

   • What is womanist theology? Identify its sources
   • Black theology is a form of Christian theological thought which lies at the intersection of Christian morality and the struggle of African American people's struggle for civil rights. It is an ideological framework which seeks to use biblical lessons to interpret the lived experiences of black people in the United States in order to understand their systemic oppression and empower them with biblical stories and figures to whom everyday black people can relate to.
     • There are two main sources of black theological thought. The first is through scripture, through which black people can find moral lessons to inspire them. One such figure is Hagar, who was bought as a slave to Abraham and was abused by his wife, Sarah. After running away, she came upon a spring of water where she was met by an angel sent to her by God, who informed her that she should return to bear a son who would struggle alongside other men in the future for their liberation. This story is one instance of a biblical figure who demonstrates to African American Christians the importance of perseverance in the struggle for liberty and civil rights, and it also illustrates how black Christian Americans have the evr-present support and assurance of God in their struggle.