What’s Wrong About Liberation Theology

Posted by Lorren on July 13, 2010

Barack Obama is a believer in Liberation Theology. I was sent a book around the time of the elections, The Faith of Barack Obama… I’m not sure why this book was sent to me; I’m not exactly a Barack Obama supporter. I read about half the book, then got involved in reading something else; I guess I should take another look at it. It was an easy read, but I had seen enough right around page 102: Barack Obama is not a Christian in the sense that he believes that he needs to repent of his personal sins, and that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only way to get to Heaven.

Liberation theology believes that there is an oppressor, and an oppressed. Nowadays, the black person is typically the oppressed, and the white person is the oppressor. As far as I know, I don’t know any black person that believes this; this theory is not universally a black thing. My husband does not believe this. Jesus was a victim when he died on the cross. For the white people to receive salvation, they must identify with the oppressor, give up their belongings and power (redistribution of wealth); this allows white society to be collectively redeemed.

Now, I don’t know what god these guys are worshipping, but it’s certainly not my Jesus. For one thing, my Jesus was not a victim. My Jesus was God; therefore, he could not be powerless. He could have chosen to call angels to save them; he could have given everyone that hated him instant heart attacks, but he chose not to. He died willingly, because that was God the Father’s plan to save us.

The other thing that’s wrong: to say that white people (or anyone) would have to give power or wealth to anyone else for salvation is arrogant and missing the point. It gives salvation-granting power to the victims; I’m sorry, only Jesus can grant salvation. It also takes away freedom of choice. I can choose to believe in Jesus and trust in his salvation, but under liberation theology, I had better be a part of the program of salvation, or I’m ruining it for everyone.

I can see how Christians could have a really difficult time in the future with Obama’s view of the world, whether white or black. If you don’t “get with the program”, you’re damning other people. Under traditional Christianity, if you choose to become a Buddhist or even a devil worshipper, that doesn’t affect my eternal destiny. However, if you refuse to get with the program under liberation theology, you’re damning the other people in society: your choice not only affects your eternal destiny, it also affects the destiny of those around you.

This could lead to problems in the future. If you are a true Christian, you can’t deny Jesus. While others can take your things, they can’t change your belief in the Savior.