Note on Liberation Theology
Our understanding of the nature of theology will affect our understanding of the nature of dialogue. And our understanding of the nature of dialogue will affect the manner in which we choose to dialogue with other religions / worldviews / value systems.
I think Liberation Theology must go back to examine its understanding of the nature of theology before it realises it has gone too far in its dialogue with other religions / worldviews / value systems. Dialogue should not be about negotiating compromises. When one’s faith distinctives have to be compromised in the course of dialogue, then the act of dialogue itself is rendered redundant.
Liberation Theology also needs to understand that just because people do not agree with its brand of liberation does not mean that people have no concern for the oppressed and the marginalised.
Comments (4)
Well, that's an interesting critique. I don't know much about liberation theology.
Posted by Lonely Dissertator | December 21, 2008 2:57 AM
Well, that's an interesting critique. I don't know much about liberation theology.
Posted by Lonely Dissertator | December 21, 2008 2:57 AM
Makes a whole lot of sense, dialogue should be progressive and not retrogressive in compromise.
Posted by Onjewu Adah-kole | December 24, 2008 1:52 AM
It is entirely logical that Religions in dialogue seek the meeting points of their perfections (If they are perfect) on the round table, rather than making cuts to fit in a puzzle. The perfection of a doctrine is what brings it to dialogue and not what that religion is ready to compromise on, seemingly its imperfection. True religions are perfect and dialogue finetunes such perfections. When custodians of a faith soft pedal to promote dialogue, the parallel effect is a retrogression of what should be the precepts, teachings or dogma of that faith. Dialogue then ceases to be progressive, at least spiritually, and we know too much that spirituality and dialogue are inseparable.
Posted by Onjewu Adah-kole | December 26, 2008 12:52 PM