We recently traveled to Richmond, Indiana, to meet Renzo Carranza, the Friends Journal corresponding editor for Latin America and a graduate student at Earlham College School of Religion. Renzo spoke with us about his affinity for liberation theology, which he first encountered as a seminarian in his native Guatemala, and the ways that he sees its “narrative of social justice” intersecting with Quaker testimonies.
Liberation theology is “a reinterpretation of the gospels from the perspective of the poor, oppressed, and marginalized,” Renzo explains. Of course, talking about the redistribution of wealth in Latin America at the height of the Cold War drew suspicion from American conservatives, and people continue to argue about it to this day. But its ultimate aim is very similar to a goal which has driven Quaker faith for nearly four centuries—bringing about the kingdom of God on earth, here and now.
As Renzo says, “This is what God wants from us—to transform the society by the power of the Spirit.”
Renzo gives a Gospel based understanding of Latin American Liberation Theology that derived from both the Gospels and the existential reality of the underclass populations of Central & South America. While earning a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies in the 1970’s I was also reading the books of Rev. Gustavo Gutierrez and Juan Luis Segundo. Liberation theology is for all oppressed minorities to claim their rightful place in the here and now Kingdom of God.
Renzo Carranza, Statement on liberation theology and the Light is one of the most hopeful things I’ve heard in months It is the most to be meaningful spiritual uplifting statement that I’ve heard from Friends in a awhile..
One of the reasons I’ve remained a Christian is because of liberation theology. Jesus was crucified because he opposed empire as were Oscar Ramirez in El Salvador and Martin Luther King in the United States assassinated for the same reason. Jesus was crucified by Rome but he was joined by God who suffers with us.
When we are present to God we may feel the suffering Of the Palestinians being open to God may make us open
to humanity’s suffering and when we feel God’s love and know God’s hope we may feel up-held by Gods Love and joy!
How can one read The Gospel of Luke or the letter of James Without wanting to turn the world upside down!
Could Renzo provide a QuakerSpeak video in Spanish on this topic? It would help us with outreach to the Latinx community in our city.