Latin American Christianity: Colorful, complex and conflicted
All in all, Liberation Theology made it very difficult for the political center to form realistic programs of economic growth, social justice and alleviation of poverty. Significantly, the most effective anti-poverty program in all of Latin America was the program designed by the Brazilian Government under President Lula da Silva. The poor in Brazil were given a base income which greatly reduced poverty without threatening the middle classes. The Brazilian economy was allowed to grow and prosper in a free market environment. This had nothing to do with Liberation Theology, but it liberated a large section of Brazil’s poor from poverty and despair.
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Notes
[1] I am writing a book on this topic, but you will have to wait a while. In the meantime, you may check out my article, “The Sinfulness and Destructiveness of Conspiracy Theories,” Pneuma Review (Spring 2015).
[2] Lee R. Martin, “Judging the Judges: Searching for Value in these Problematic Characters” Pneuma Review (Fall 2010).
[3] Peter Hoken, The Glory and the Shame: Reflections on the 20th Century Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Gilford, UK: Eagle, 1994). [Editor’s note: See William De Arteaga’s review]
[4] I was raised Roman Catholic and yes, some of their beliefs are unbiblical, as in Marian devotion, but that does not cancel Romans 10:9.
[5] This is new research, gleaned from evidence from ex-Communists spies in Eastern Europe, that Liberation Theology was developed, or at least financed and encouraged by communist theoreticians in Rumania and East Germany. See Articles: J.D. Flynn, “Former Soviet Spy: We Created Liberation Theology,’ interview article with Ion Mihai Pacepa, CAN, Posted, n.d. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/former-soviet-spy-we-created-liberation-theology-83634
Category: Church History, Spring 2019