Member-only story

Redeemers: Ideas and Power in Latin America

Kelly Blair

·16.4k Followers· Follow

Published in Enrique Krauze

4 min read · 1 month before

1.3k View Claps

70 Respond

Save

Listen

A groundbreaking exploration of the history of Latin American liberation theology, this book examines the ways in which religious ideas and political power have intersected in the region.

Redeemers: Ideas and Power in Latin America

by Enrique Krauze

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1672 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	561 pages

Latin America has long been a crucible for religious and political ferment. From the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 15th century to the rise of liberation theology in the 20th century, the region has been a battleground for competing ideas about God, society, and the role of the church. In Redeemers, historian Jon Sobrino traces the history of this complex relationship, showing how religious ideas have been used to justify both oppression and liberation.

Sobrino begins by examining the role of the Catholic Church in the conquest and colonization of Latin America. He shows how the church was used as a tool of domination, with missionaries and priests working hand-in-hand with conquistadors and colonists to suppress indigenous religions and cultures. However, Sobrino also shows how some members of the church resisted this oppression, working to defend the rights of indigenous peoples and to promote social justice.

In the 19th century, Latin America was swept by a wave of revolutions that led to the independence of most of the region from Spain. These revolutions were often inspired by Enlightenment ideas about liberty, equality, and democracy. However, Sobrino shows how these ideas were often co-opted by elites who used them to justify their own power and privilege. As a result, many of the promises of independence were never fulfilled, and Latin America remained a region of poverty, inequality, and oppression.

In the 20th century, Latin America was once again transformed by a wave of revolutions. This time, however, the revolutions were inspired by Marxist ideas about socialism and communism. These revolutions led to the establishment of several socialist governments in the region, including Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. However, Sobrino shows how these governments often betrayed the ideals of the revolutions that brought them to power, and they too became authoritarian and oppressive.

In the midst of this political turmoil, a new religious movement emerged in Latin America: liberation theology. Liberation theology is a Christian theology that emphasizes the liberation of the poor and oppressed. It sees Jesus Christ as a liberator who came to free people from all forms of bondage, including political, economic, and social oppression. Liberation theology has been a powerful force for social change in Latin America, and it has inspired many people to work for a more just and equitable world.

However, liberation theology has also been controversial. Some critics have accused it of being too political and of undermining the traditional beliefs of the Catholic Church. Others have accused it of being ineffective, arguing that it has failed to bring about significant social change in Latin America. Nonetheless, liberation theology remains a vital force in the region, and it continues to inspire people to work for a better world.

In Redeemers, Jon Sobrino provides a masterful account of the history of Latin American liberation theology. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Latin America, the history of Christianity, or the relationship between religion and politics.