Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice

by Mae Elise Cannon (Editor), Andrea Smith (Editor)

For many evangelicals, liberation theology seems a distant notion. Some might think it is antithetical to evangelicalism, while others simply may be unfamiliar with the role evangelicals have played in the development of liberation theologies and their profound effect on Latin American, African American, and other global subaltern Christian communities.

Despite the current rise in evangelicals focusing on justice work as an element of their faith, evangelical theologians have not adequately developed a theological foundation for this kind of activism. Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice fills this gap by bringing together the voices of academics, activists, and pastors to articulate evangelical liberation theologies from diverse perspectives. Through critical engagement, these contributors consider what liberation theology and evangelical tenets of faith have to offer one another.

Evangelical thinkers--including Soong-Chan Rah, Chanequa Walker-Barnes, Robert Chao Romero, Paul Louis Metzger, and Alexia Salvatierra--survey the history and outlines of liberation theology and cover topics such as race, gender, region, body type, animal rights, and the importance of community. Scholars, students, and churches who seek to engage in reflection and action around issues of biblical justice will find here a unique and insightful resource. Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice opens a conversation for developing a specifically evangelical view of liberation that speaks to the critical justice issues of our time.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Social Issues

360 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2019

About the author

Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace. She is an author, speaker, and advocate who cares deeply about God's heart for the poor and the oppressed.

She is the author of Beyond Hashtag Activism (IVP, May 2020); co-editor of Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice (IVP, 2019); editor of A Land Full of God: Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land (2017); author of Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World (IVP, 2009) and Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action (IVP, 2013); and co-author of Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith (Zondervan, 2014).

Cannon is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Her ministry and professional background includes serving as the Senior Director of Advocacy and Outreach for World Vision-US, the executive pastor of Hillside Covenant Church (Walnut Creek, California), Director of Development and Transformation for Extension Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church (Barrington, Illinois), and as a consultant to the Middle East for child advocacy issues for Compassion International. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, CNN, Chicago Tribune, Christianity Today, Leadership Magazine, The Christian Post, Jerusalem Post, EU Parliament Magazine, Huffington Post, and other international media outlets.

She received her first doctorate in American History with a minor in Middle Eastern studies at the University of California (Davis) focusing on the history of the American Protestant church in Israel and Palestine and her second doctorate in Ministry in Spiritual Formation from Northern Theological Seminary. Cannon holds an M.Div. From North Park Theological Seminary, an M.B.A. from North Park University's School of Business and Nonprofit Management, and an M.A. in bioethics from Trinity International University. Cannon completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Chicago in History, Philosophy, Social Studies, of Science and Medicine.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! The essays in this book were very challenging to for me to read and consider. They helped me to see different perspectives about liberation and justice. I read it with my friend, Rich. We had a good time chatting about some of the different chapters.

[Dave Betts · Rating 2 out of 5]

A masterclass in agenda-based eisegesis. I applaud the desire of the multiple authors to stand up for the needs of the marginalised and the oppressed. These are important issues that we need to continually address. We need to listen, we need to reflect, we need to engage. However, the ways in which these authors arrive at their conclusions are suspect at best, and insidious at worst.

The motivation is gravely undermined by the method.

The book is packed full of unqualified and occasionally outrageous statements. No, you are not racist if you voted Republican in 2016. The Holy Spirit is not a 'she.' We do not need a different theology for every cultural context. Theology is accurate, or it is not. Certainly, western Christianity should open its ears to thought from other cultures and experiences so as to arrive at a more rounded understanding of Scriptural truth, but truth is not something you only cling to if it suits, and switch out if it doesn't.

I could go on. But there's one issue in particular that surpassed the rest: the seeming contempt for the Gospel.

The view of the atonement expressed in this book is...let's say, sketchy. Really, that's the issue - the denegration of the Gospel. In Galatians, Paul eviscerated those who would add to the Gospel message. In several places, this book did exactly that. It's the Gospel = Jesus + [insert agenda here] message that offended me the most. Let me be clear and fair: that wasn't every chapter, but enough to be problematic.

I'm deeply concerned by the contents of "Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice." A better title would be "Relativistic Pseudo-Theology to Fit Your Cause."

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong, there are some solid essays in here, which is why I am giving it two stars. Chapters 1, 2, and 15 were solid. Other than those exceptions, most of this book was full of unbiblical, CRT drivel.

I would recommend this book to someone who is open to viewpoints that are opposed to typical orthodoxy and wants to understand them in order to better argue against them.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of the Launch Team version of this book. On their website IVP describes this work as:

"Despite the current rise in evangelicals focusing on justice work as an element of their faith, evangelical theologians have not adequately developed a theological foundation for this kind of activism. Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice fills this gap by bringing together the voices of academics, activists, and pastors to articulate evangelical liberation theologies from diverse perspectives. Through critical engagement, these contributors consider what liberation theology and evangelical tenets of faith have to offer one another."

Having read the Launch Team Edition of this book I believe this book places Evagelicals in a better position of understanding of "what liberation theology and evangelical tenets of faith have to offer one another." It opens the door to greater dialogue and broadens our understanding of Luke 4:18-21, where Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue, sits down, and says, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (NASB)

Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice has five parts:

1) Liberation Methodologies
2) Engagement with Liberation Theology Movement
3) Rethinking Sin
4) Theological Resources from the Margins
5) Rethinking Our Evangelical Heritage

I found this book to be informative and challenging to our westernized understanding of Christianity without succumbing to the marxist framework of some early liberation theologians. I also believe it presents to us the ways we can participate in mission as the Church in the now and the not yet, a living and vibrant community under the Kingdom of God/heaven.

One may come away from this book not accepting all of the details of the individual writers, but you will certainly find that our assumptions about liberation theology were in need of the challenges presented.

[Alexis]

Let me start by saying that it took me over a year to finish this book. My relationship with the term "evangelical" is complicated. I was intrigued by this book because I imagined that liberation theology and evangelicalism were antithetical to one another. But, as this book argues, that’s not necessarily the case.

The beauty of this book is that the writers are "big tent" evangelicals--believing there is room for all within Christianity and that liberation is, first and foremost, a biblical concept, rooted in the Good News. It's an intellectual study of liberation theology, its history and development by people of color, how liberation should be applied beyond the context of individual salvation, and why evangelicals should reexamine their liberation heritage.

Some essays resonated with me, while others did not, making it difficult to rate this book. If you are unsure how you feel about evangelicals (join the club) but are interested in learning about liberation theology from a diverse group of scholars, this book is a good place to start.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice is worth your read especially if you've ever identified as evangelical, been part of an evangelical community, or are wondering what is going on with the evangelical movement these days. This collection of essays gives hope for social justice and action within this denomination. Like any collection of essays, some spoke deeper to my experience than others but this is a book I'll want to keep and reference again. Beyond expected dives into liberation theology, there are essays on animal rights, body image and fat-shaming, and thoughts on how churches and individuals can live out the truly radical message of Jesus.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a helpful book. Like most edited volumes, not all essays are created equal, but there are many substantial essays. The book offers compelling reasons for the inclusion of liberation theology in conservative evangelicalism, noting that this stream, if you will, has moved past its early days of Marxist sympathies to a more biblical robust understanding of liberation and justice. The main thing that detracts from this volume is repetition of some of the content throughout. I recommended this and hope that it received a wide reading for evangelical leaders that are uncertain about such issues or who work with the poor, disenfranchised or marginalized.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the discussion of liberation theology and justice from an evangelical perspective. This book was made up of essays from a variety of individuals. Some of the essays were really good, and some I found less interesting. Overall a good introduction to liberation theology.