Original Research

Towards a theology of human praxis: A proposal from liberation theologies in a neoliberal world

Jose F. Castrillón Restrepo
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 44, No 1 | a2705 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v44i1.2705 | © 2023 Jose F. Castrillón Restrepo | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 29 August 2022 | Published: 10 May 2023

About the author(s)

Jose F. Castrillón Restrepo, Faculty of Theology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

Neoliberalism is an anti-utopian and kind of patron–client theory that threatens not only the human utopian thought, and therefore the human praxis, but also the ‘conditio humana’. Therefore, this threat also challenges the current visions of praxis in contextual theologies. From a dialogue between the traditions of praxis present in Latin American liberation theology and black liberation theology, particularly from a renewed understanding of human relationships in terms of God’s grace and human spirituality-kenosis, it could be possible to overcome the ideological character of neoliberalism by offering some elements for the development of a human praxis oriented to the creation of possible worlds that reproduce the natural circuit of life and acknowledge the rising and dignity of the new subjects.

Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The critical analysis of the ideological character of neoliberalism implies an interdisciplinary approach that considers the contribution of Christian theology. From the inductive orientation of Latin American liberation theology and black liberation theology, this research proposes some theological elements to discuss the feasibility of a human praxis that orients the creation of possible worlds.


Keywords

Latin American liberation theology; black liberation theology; neoliberalism; human praxis; grace; kenosis.

Metrics

Total abstract views: 1228
Total article views: 1136


Crossref Citations

No related citations found.