In my last post we began looking at Liberation Theology so that we can better understand many of the events occuring in the world in which we live. In this post I want to examine Latin American Hermeneutics. Again hermeneutics is the art or the science of interpreting Scripture. Once we understand how people interpret Scripture it gives us a better avenue to dialogue with them.
For the Latin American theologian all Scripture must be read through the social context of Latin American society. In the words of one individual Scripture must be read "from the standpoint of what will help in their liberation, and through their eyes."
To facilitate a reading of Scripture through the socioeconomic situation of the poor of Latin America, liberation theologians have offered a fourfold method for interpreting Scripture. The first demand is that the interpreter must be empathetic to the plight of the poor in Latin America. The Latin American interpreter believes there must be a gross neglect in the understanding of Scripture because of the continual disparity between the haves and the have nots in Latin American culture.
The second criterion to be used in interpreting Scripture is an understanding of the societal structures that have created such a socioeconomic disparity. For the Latin American theologian the poor are poor not because they chose to be poor, but because someone has created a system to keep them poor. Juan Luis Segundo states "anything and everything is intimately bound up with the existing social situation in at least an unconscious way." This understanding of Scripture has been used to maintain dominance by the ruling class. As a result true interpretation of Scripture must offer a social critique of the institutions that have created the disparity in wealth in Latin America. In essence socio-critical tools are needed because poverty is not simply a matter of an individual's economic status, but the oppressive and alienating circumstances that have created such an environment.
The third criterion that must be applied in interpreting Scripture through the eyes of the Latin American is an understanding of the biblical texts that deal with liberation. For the Latin American interpreter, liberation from one's oppressors is central in the Bible. As a result the Exodus account takes on a new understanding as well as the prophets of the Old Testament who constantly spoke out against injustices in society. To truly understand the text, the interpreter must look at these messages as addressed to the modern day situation.
The final criterion of interpretation that must be applied is to understand the language of promise and eschatology as presented in the Bible. For the Latin American interpreter, the Scriptures offer hope from oppression not just in the future but in the present context as well. The hope offered is not just a hope for a better way of life in eternity, but an active hope which subverts the exisiting order.
The Latin American interpreter is not just looking to establish a new way of looking at the world, but is actually looking to transform the existing world. In order to so, it requires a total reorientation of biblical exegesis. The truth for the Latin American interpreter is that if one's interpretation of Scripture does not change the normal interpretation of Scripture then the interpretation has not succeeded.
This idea of interpretation has much to say about our current situation. It helps us put the border debate in a theological discussion. When we understand that for them the Bible has been used to oppress them economically, then we see why they are against any kind of prohibition against illegal entry into the country. If we enforce our laws to prohibit illegal entry it is just another use of our power to keep them economically oppressed. Liberation theologians from the Latin culture see liberation from economic oppression as the chief understanding of Scripture. As a result anything that keeps economic equality from happening is a tool of the oppressors.
There is much more that could be said about this idea, but I think you get the picture. This view of Scripture poses a threat to interpretation. When a person forces his personal situation or his cultural context into a biblical text he allows the Scripture to speak for him instead of allowing the Scripture to speak to him. This is a dangerous premise that cannot be accepted.
On my next post we will look at Black Liberation theology. This subject has been in the news lately as well and hopefully we can bring some light on this view that will help us understand the various discussions taking place in the world today. I look forward to hearing from you.
No comments:
Post a Comment