The biblical concept of conversion and its social implications from a Latin American perspective
Abstract
This work presents a concept of conversion using the
researches of Liberation theologians and the relation of
Jesus to four groups in the Synoptics.
In chapter one, the main concern is the hermeneutical
problem as it defines the kind of emphasis the
interpretation of the Bible will support. Liberation
theology focuses on its context as the key aspect for a
practical interpretation.
In chapter two six Liberation theologians are studied with
a focus on the concept of conversion. All of them criticize
the type of conversion that has produced a Christianity
centered on spiritual features and disregarding the Latin
American situation.
In chapter three the situation of Palestine in Jesus' time
is described and the political, economic, and religious
situation is explored. The aim of this chapter is to show
that Jesus was born and lived under political, economic, and
religious oppression.
In chapter four the relationship of Jesus to four groups
is stated. In relation to the Pharisees, two aspects are
considered: that the table-fellowship of Jesus with the
outcasts produced a confrontation with the Pharisees; and
that, at least one time, Jesus talked about overriding the
Law because of the Kingdom of God. In relation to the
religious authorities, Jesus prophetically rejected the
Temple and Its system. In relation to the Roman authorities,
Jesus established that all things belong to God and that
loyalty to any government must be relative. In relation to
the rich and the poor, Jesus stressed through hard criticism
of riches that the Good News are preferentially to the poor.
In the conclusion, using "the relation of relationship"
model of C. Boff, it is stated that the concept of
conversion of Liberation theologians with social, economic
and political implications, is based on the Scriptures and
it is the best solution for Christianity in an oppressive
situation.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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