Who Is Our Neighbor?

Liberation Theology is a theological movement that emphasizes Jesus’ solidarity with the poor and the oppressed. This lens sees Jesus’ primary work on earth to be the liberation of all people, in reaction to a stream of Christianity that tended to favor the rich, connected, and politically powerful. It spoke against shallow interpretations of the gospel that were being used to prop up unjust cultures and societies. Liberation theology was born in the late 1960s in Latin America, amid strife and upheaval in the region. It identified the sin of greed and will-to-power as primary sins that prevent Jesus’ aim of liberating all people.

Central and South America have a history of colonial oppression and even amid outward liberation from the colonizers, the fingerprints of the oppressors were clear in coups, military takeovers, assassinations, and regime changes. It was amid the aggressions of those who would see themselves as emperor over the region and especially, its resources.

There is never an inappropriate time to read the writings of these incredible theologians. It is always time to resist oppression and the evil influence of greed. This writing is always relevant to our world. There is never a time without oppression and violence, and it is in those times that the Church should remember how God seeks liberation for all those who suffer. This is a bare sampling of writings that I have on my shelf. The readings span decades and are what I found with less than a full afternoon of reading. But the words here should stand as a force to impel Christians to resist the work of expanding imperial impulses.

Gustavo Gutierrez

His (Jesus’) testimony and his message acquire this political dimension precisely because of the radicalness of their salvific character: to preach the universal love of the Father is inevitably to go against all injustice, privilege, oppression, or narrow nationalism.

Hugo Ortega

The people of Latin America, both adults and youth, desire to live peacefully, but youth particularly do not want peace without justice, freedom and dignity. They want to be allowed to direct the course of Latin America’s future. They desire the right of self-determination and an end to their exploitation by others while declining to become exploiters themselves. Whether Latin America will be able to accomplish its goal remains to be seen.

Leonardo Boff

Spirituality is that attitude which puts life at the center, and defends and promotes life against all the mechanisms of death, desiccation, or stagnation.

Miguel De la Torre

Can violence ever be harnessed for good and/or declared just? Violence is not a political tool that can be picked up and used, and then put down later, never to be used again. The use of violence forever changes a person and a society. Generally, those engaged in violence and the hate it unleashes become unfit for the process of creating a new, just social order.

Oscar Romero

People are free to choose the political system they want but not free to do whatever they like. They will have to be judged by God’s justice in the political or social system they choose. God is the judge of all social systems. Neither the gospel nor the church can be monopolized by any political or social movement.

Justo Gonzalez

It would be possible to follow the entire history of Christianity to see how this God functioned in favor of the privileged precisely by condemning change and sacralizing the status quo.

Peace,

Rev. Jeff Fox-Kline

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These words remind us that faith is never neutral and never finished. At Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church, we gather each week to reflect, question, pray, and discern how God is calling us to live with justice and mercy in the world. We worship on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at 1200 S. Winton Road, Rochester, NY 14618. Wherever you are on your journey, there’s a seat saved for you. We’d love to welcome you. If you're unable to join us in our sanctuary, you're always welcome to visit our YouTube channel and live stream.