liberation theology

noun

1. a 20th-century Christian theology, emphasizing the Biblical and doctrinal theme of liberation from oppression, whether racial, sexual, economic, or political.

liberation theology

noun

1. the belief that Christianity involves not only faith in the teachings of the Church but also a commitment to change social and political conditions from within in societies in which it is considered exploitation and oppression exist

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberation theology¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

A Peruvian priest who founded liberation theology, a movement advocating an active role for the Roman Catholic Church in fighting poverty and injustice but reviled by some as Marxist, has died.

From BBC

As a youth, she took part in local speech competitions where she melded folk religion and liberation theology.

From Seattle Times

An adherent of liberation theology, which focuses on the oppressed, she spent time protesting the United States government’s policies in Central America and helping undocumented refugees who had fled to the U.S.

From New York Times

"He was inspired by a liberation theology similar to that of the Catholic priests and bishops of Latin America," Mabior said.

From Reuters

Ratzinger first turned his attention to the "liberation theology" popular in Latin America, ordering the one-year silencing in 1985 of Brazilian friar Leonardo Boff, whose writings were attacked for using Marxist ideas.

From Reuters