Liberation Theology

Sigh! The advocates of Liberation Theology must live in constant exasperation at those of us who seem to behave with disdain and contempt for the unfortunate and disenfranchised. Otherwise, how could we continue to resist the progressive philosophical directive to exercise compassion for them, preferably through government programs that wisely redistribute the wealth and resources of the country as the bureaucrats see fit? In a recent letter to the editor, one advocate cited the admonition of Luke 6:17-49 as authority and justification for this endeavor, referencing the Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlewaite, failing to mention her being a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. The frustrating factor for us unsympathetic conservatives is usually our interpretation of Scripture, using the hermeneutical approach that applies a coherent explanation to the text that clearly illustrates the intent to the reader as an individual. The concept of Luke’s passage, as well as all others in the Bible, nowhere even hints at a directive for governments to assume the responsibility to execute compassion on behalf of the individual. The Gospel says that whoever gives can become a disciple and reap a reward. When government self-righteously takes from individuals and reallocates those resources, that’s called despotism.