THE HERMENEUTICS OF LIBERATION THEOLOGY: A CRITICAL
LOOK AT ITS CHRISTOLOGICAL, HARMATIOLOGICAL, AND
SOTERIO-LOGICAL DIMENSIONS
by Dr. Christian O. Uchegbue
This paper examines how the concern of liberation theology with making theology
relevant to the poor and oppressed in their socio-political struggle for justice influences their
interpretation and application of the Bible. Three theological themes, namely, Christology (the
doctrine of Christ), harmatiology, (the doctrine of sin), and soteriology (the doctrine of
salvation), are chosen to demonstrate its hermeneutical perspectives. The paper sympathizes
with the humanistic and humanitarian motivations of liberation theologians and their concern
with the plight of the poor and the oppressed. However, it points out many of its inconsistencies
with traditional Christian stand on these themes. It concludes, therefore, that liberation
theology’s hermeneutics has much more in common with Marxist than Christian hermeneutics.
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