Since the 1990s I have engaged in the pursuit of social justice, as a councillor, as a member of a churches' social responsibility group and activity in the voluntary sector, driven by the desire to follow the teaching ascribed to Jesus and also the concept of liberation theology with particular reference to Leonardo Boff, Gustavo Gutierrez and Jurgen Moltmann.
A quotation from Gutierrez:
'The poverty of the poor is not a call to generous relief action, but a demand that we go out and build a different social order.'
This I read as a call for positive action. Compare and contrast with this statement by James H Cone:
'Liberation theology is not a the theology of revolution, but a theology of the cross that call for ongoing resistance against all forms of oppression'
My opinion is that liberation theology embraces both resisting oppression and demanding systemic change.
The basis of Moltmann's theology was his conviction that theology must always be related to concrete human situations and that the teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God requires of his followers commitment to the overthrowing of everything in the social order that is contrary to its demands. No ivory tower, armchair theology. Moltmann was active in the field participating in demonstrations. The task of the theologian is not to promote the ideal of a distant utopia, rather to get on with seeking to effect change, to tackle current issues, an argument similar to one made by Karl Popper.
My theological 'position' therefore is to follow Jesus: for individuals to be assisted at point of need, and campaigning for systemic change. From a faith perspective I have deconstructed everything else.
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