ABSTRACT
Liberation theology is the belief that salvation is linked to efforts to bring about a just society. It differs from other theologies insofar as it is more than an academic discipline. It is also a pastoral policy known as the preferential option for the poor and a form of spirituality that motivates and sustains people in their struggles to put an end to poverty and other forms of oppression. This chapter will begin by clarifying these three aspects of liberation theology, summarizing the belief system and theologians’ use of sociological concepts, and reviewing explanations by social scientists of its emergence. Then it will describe the impact this theology has had in Latin America during the past 50 years, focusing on countries that have been the subjects of social science research, and noting similarities and differences between them. The subsequent section will discuss criticisms of liberation theology and address the question of whether it is in decline or is showing evidence of resilience. The chapter will conclude with suggestions for future research.
