Drawing on both English and Spanish sources, this critical study examines the history, method, and doctrines of Liberation Theology. Sigmund considers the movement's origins in political circumstances in Latin America; provides case studies of its role in such events as the revolution and counter-revolution in Chile; and examines the thought of the major liberation theologians and the position of the Vatican.

What Gutierrez has done for overall theological understanding, what Segundo has done for theological method, and what Miranda has done for biblical studies, Jon Sobrino has now done for Christology; He has provided a substantial and enduring theological contribution from a Third World perspective. This book will have long life, since it not only argues for the necessity of a Christology 'from the underside of history, ' but offers an extensive example of how such a Christology should be constructed, showing the basic connection between the radical historicity of Jesus and the suffering and pain of oppressed people. The thoroughness of the author's survey of other positions, the fullness of his documentation, and the pervasive power of his own affirmations make clear that 'Christology at the Crossroads' will not leave us stranded at the crossroads but will start us down exciting and demanding new paths. Robert McAfee Brown Professor of Ecumenics and World Christianity, Union Theological Seminary The publication of 'Christology at the Crossroads' in English is most opportune. It is not only the Christology presented in this book, but the Christology of the church at large (indeed of the churches) that stands at the crossroads at present. Those of us who have been working in this field know that in order to break through some deadlocked situations we need a Christology more soberly rooted in soteriology, more honestly founded upon the historical Jesus, and more realistically turned towards a future yet to be realized. Yet in the affluent and basically contented northern nations of the western world, this kind of Christology has not so far been written. To find it one must turn to the Third World theologians for the present, and among these Jon Sobrino's book is a landmark. Monika K. Hellwig Associate Professor of Theology, Georgetown Universit

This book offers a theological reflection on the praxis of struggle for human and ecological liberation. It critically appropriates the framework of the emerging ecological theology of liberation, which expands the notion of the preferential option for the poor--privileging those who suffer from class oppression, racial discrimination, sexist ideologies, and ecological exploitation. With the analytical mediation of the social and ecological sciences, this book investigates the oppressive ideologies that produce poverty and the ecological crisis. It maps out existing advocacies that may awaken a sense of solidarity and serve as embers of hope for a sustainable world.

In the past twenty-five years, liberation theology has emerged as one of the most influential, challenging, and controversial movements in modern theology. Whether in its Asian, African, Latin American, or African-American forms, liberation theology has undertaken to reexamine the dimensions of Christian faith from the perspective of the marginalized and oppressed. Here, at last, is a collection of readings from a cross-section of the world's leading exponents of liberation theology, designed to offer an overview of liberation theology and its central themes. Topics included are methodology, christology, ecclesiology, and spirituality. Each chapter includes a helpful introduction and questions for discussion, making this an ideal introductory text for students, as well as scholars and other general readers. Contributors: Maria Pilar Aquino Tissa Balasuriya Dominique Barbe Clodovis Boff Leonardo Boff Ernesto Cardenal Chung Hyun Kyung James H. Cone Jean-Marc Ela Ivone Gebara Gustavo Gutierrez Mary Hunt Sallie McFague Mary John Mananzan Carlos Mesters Anne Nasimiyu-Wasike Sun Ai Park Jon Sobrino Charles Villa-Vicencio Yong Ting Jin

Liberation Theology is the first serious acknowledgment by a white theologian of the challenge of Black Theology. It invites American theology to reconsider radically its foundations and to reorder its priorities. At a time when theology is often presented piecemeal, Frederick Herzog undertakes to ground Liberation Theology in the originating events of the Christian faith as a whole - in this instance, in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ as given in the Fourth Gospel. The systematic readings in the Gospel which he makes and from which emerge the principles of Liberation Theology are the heart of this book. Throughout, the author asks: How do we understand Christ as Liberator? The answer to this question, he maintains, determines whether or not we are still able to contemplate the Word as power and action. Written with contemporary directness and free of vague abstractions, the book casts theology into a new form to meet today's needs. The method of this new theology is confrontation, not correlation; its goal is liberation, not reformation; and it strives for a new space of freedom among people captive to the dehumanizing structures of modern theology.

A new model of Christian theology, the 'pluralistic' model, is taking shape, moving beyond the traditional models of exclusivism (Christianity as the only true religion) and inclusivism (Christianity as the best religion) toward a view that recognizes the possibility of many valid religions. In this volume, a widely representative group of eminent Christian theologians - Protestant and Catholic, male and female, from East and West, First and Third Worlds - explores genuinely new attitudes toward other believers and traditions, expanding and refining the discussion and debate over pluralistic theology. Contributors are: Gordon D. Kaufman, John Hick, Langdon Gilkey, Wilfred Cantwell Smith, Stanley J. Samartha, Raimundo Panikkar, Seiichi Yagi, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Marjorie Jewitt Suchocki, Aloysius Pieris, Tom F. Driver, and Paul F. Knitter.

The Future of Liberation Theology envisions a radical new direction for Latin American liberation theology. One of a new generation of Latin American theologians, Ivan Petrella shows that despite the current dominance of 'end of history' ideology, liberation theologians need not abandon their belief that the theological rereading of Christianity must be linked to the development of 'historical projects' - models of political and economic organization that would replace an unjust status quo. In the absence of historical projects, liberation theology currently finds itself unable to move beyond merely talking about liberation toward actually enacting it in society. Providing a bold new interpretation of the current state and potential future of liberation theology, Ivan Petrella brings together original research on the movement, with developments in political theory, critical legal theory and political economy to reconstruct liberation theology's understanding of theology, democracy and capitalism. The result is the recovery of historical projects, thus allowing liberation theologians to once again place the reality of liberation, and not just the promise, at the forefront of their task.

Zoe C. Sherinian shows how Christian Dalits (once known as untouchables or outcastes) in southern India have employed music to protest social oppression and as a vehicle of liberation. Her focus is on the life and theology of a charismatic composer and leader, Reverend J. Theophilus Appavoo, who drew on Tamil folk music to create a distinctive form of indigenized Christian music. Appavoo composed songs and liturgy infused with messages linking Christian theology with critiques of social inequality. Sherinian traces the history of Christian music in India and introduces us to a community of Tamil Dalit Christian villagers, seminary students, activists, and theologians who have been inspired by Appavoo's music to work for social justice. Multimedia components available online include video and audio recordings of musical performances, religious services, and community rituals.

Providing essential background for understanding the current dramatic developments and events in Mexico, Tangemen explores the tensions between conservative and progressive forces in the church. He focuses on the role of Bishop Samuel Ruiz, controversial and prophetic bishop of Chiapas, who served as a negotiator between the Indian rebels and the government.