How to Reconcile John S High Christology With Liberation Theology

John's High Christology As Liberation Theology

Liberation Theology is the movement within the Church that values the overthrow of economic, social and political oppression, whereas John's High Christology is a theological assessment rooted in the divinity of Christ and the need for compassion and love for human beings based in God's love for us and ours for him. John's exposition on union with Christ in chapter 15 states that "You are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you" and serves as an admonition to the hearer of the word to value union with Jesus above all or any other kind of union. Indeed, John's Gospel is an example of how this union is the most important one in the whole of Christian experience. Yet, at the same time, John's Gospel does not forbid the theology of liberation or resist an interpretation from this perspective as a mode of Liberation Theology. Indeed, Christ stresses the fact that He is the anchor, the root, the support -- in short, the inspiration behind all good things: "without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5) in a statement that suggests that Christians should be ready to act, to fight, and to strive for the virtues and way of life that Christ represents -- and that so long as their activity is rooted in a spiritual connection to Him, they efforts will bear fruit. From this perspective, the liberation theologian can view Christ as the ultimate factor in the mission to liberate people from their social, economic and political oppression, following the example of Gustavo Gutierrez in his book A Theology of Liberation.

This dissertation will show how John's high Christology can not only be reconciled with the expectations of Liberation Theology but how it can serve as the guiding principle and proper Christian approach to ending oppression, to fighting a class war, to overthrowing the shackles of capitalist exploitation and gross inequality.

The structure will adhere to the following structure:

Part I will focus on John's High Christology.

Part II will focus on the history, meaning and development of Liberation Theology.

Part III will focus on the application of John's High Christology as Liberation Theology.

Part IV will identify current works in the field that incorporate John's Christology in efforts to bring the theology of liberation to groups around the world.

Part IV will consist of recommendations and practices that can be utilized in order to better support the concept of John's High Christology as Liberation Theology.

The thesis of this dissertation will be that far from promoting or supporting violence or revolution, John's High Christology acts as a tempering of Liberation Theology and orients it towards a more spiritual movement while at the same time not diminishing or dismissing the need for economic, social and political renovation.

This paper will look at the work of Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, Gutierrez, Barla, Rhodes, the Marxist factor, and dissenting opinions and voices, such as that of Malachi Martin, in order to give a comprehensive, fair and balanced perspective on the overall study.