Rize İlahiyat Dergisi

Abstract

Liberation Theology (Teología de la Liberación) is a theology that emerged within Catholic Christianity in Latin America in the 1960s. The founder of this theology, which is considered one of the most important and modern theologies of the 20th century, is Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez. This article is about Gutiérrez's life, method, ideas and the impact of the theology based on these ideas on different beliefs and theologies, especially Christianity. Gutiérrez, whose biography is partially included in the article to form the basis of his theological thought, is a theologian who developed his thoughts through his experiences living with the poor. Our findings that Gutiérrez's experiences were effective in the emergence of Liberation Theology constitute the main subject of the article. Liberation Theology combined the local religious experiences of the Latin American poor with the Second Vatican Council's opening of Catholic theology to different cultures and beliefs. Thus, he revealed a new way to sustain and spread modern Christianity through local poverty experiences. With this, the theologies that emerged first from Catholic Christianity and then as a reaction to the poor, oppression and persecution environment especially in third world countries are discussed in terms of subject, method, etc. influenced by its aspects. Liberation Theology, which differs from the traditional line by being based on the experience of poverty and guiding the third world, as well as using concrete data of social sciences and controversial techniques such as Marxist analysis in theology, has almost blazed a trail in Christianity with this attitude, like Protestantism that emerged in the 16th century. Therefore, it is important to understand a theology of modern Christianity that has worldwide effects. In this article, Liberation Theology, which has made a name for itself with its extraordinary practices and has been the subject of many studies, especially in foreign sources, has been examined through Gutiérrez, who is the father of the idea, unlike existing research. In this regard, "What is Liberation Theology and its methodology?", "Who is Gustavo Gutiérrez?", "What is the place of Gustavo Gutiérrez in this theology?" and “What are the reasons that led Gustavo Gutiérrez to this theology?” Answers to these questions were sought. In this effort, Liberation Theology interprets the Exodus chapter of the Bible based on freedom by using Marxist left discourses instrumentally in theology, guides the liberation theologies that emerged later with its work titled Teología de la Liberación: Perspectivas, and creates a transition between societies with its discourses that can address the needs of modern people. It has been determined that it affects large masses by providing. As a result, it has been revealed that Gutiérrez's theological approach is a theology that supports the ideals of the Second Vatican Council and modern missiological studies of Christianity.