Evangelization in the writings of Latin American liberation theologians
Abstract
This dissertation investigates evangelization in the writings of
ten Roman Catholic and Protestant theologians who were chosen due to
their interaction with the major themes of Liberation Theology and their
interest in evangelization. The six Roman Catholic theologians include
Leonardo Boff, Segundo Gulilea, Gustavo Gutihrrez, Archbishop Oscar
Romero, Juan Luis Segundo, and Jon Sobrino. The four Protestant
theologians include Mortimer Arias, Emilio Castro, Orlando Costas, and
Jose Miguez Bonino. Along with a chapter on each theologian, two separate
chapters are devoted to a comparison of the Roman Catholics as a
group and the Protestants as a group. The concluding chapter collects
the findings and presents a common view of evangelization in Latin
American Liberation Theology. In addition, this thesis is set in its
historical context with studies of evangelization in four Roman Catholic
Documents – Vatican II, Medellin, Evanglii Nuntiandi, and Puebla, and
WCC documents tram the New Delhi Assembly (1961) to the Vancouver
Assembly (1983).
This study demonstrates that evangelization is a central theme of
Latin American Liberation Theology. Both Roman Catholic and Protestant
liberation theologians devote a great deal of attention to this topic
which serves for them as a bridge between theology and praxis. In the
theological realm, evangelization is founded on the concept of the reign
of God. III the arena of praxis, evangelization is centered on proclamation and action.
In addition, evangelization stands as a theme around
which Roman Catholic and Protestant liberation theologians unite; the
similarities between them are significant and numerous.
These theologians present a view of evangelization which has the
potential to alter traditional understandings and existing structures of
evangelization. Their concept of evangelization pioneers new frontiers
as it interacts with liberation, the poor, denunciation, action, collective conversion,
and a comprehensive view of the reign of God.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Collections
Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.