ABSTRACT
The evolution of liberation theology is arguably the most important theological development of the last few decades: beginning in South America, this movement has profoundly challenged traditional ways of doing theology. In 1968 a Latin American Bishops’ Conference was held at Medellin, Colombia: this gathering was followed by a second conference in 1971 in Santiago, Chile, and a third at Publea, Mexico in 1979. At these meetings Christian participants focused on the injustice done to the poor in their own countries. Confronting modern forms of oppression and exploitation, they looked to the scriptural sources for a discernment of God’s saving action in the world. Latin America thus became the breeding ground for this new movement which subsequently spread to other Third World countries and also had a major impact on thinkers in the First World. Because of its global significance liberation theology has undergone numerous manifestations, yet despite its diverse forms it has embraced a number of central themes in the proclamation of the message. Most importantly for the Jewish-Christian encounter, liberation theologians have gone back to their Jewish roots in the Hebrew Bible. Suddenly Jewish and Christian writers find themselves using the same vocabulary and motifs, and this bond paves the way for a mutual examination of commonly shared religious ideals.
