LIBERATION THEOLOGY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS IN LATIN AMERICA: A THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Abstract

This paper explores the rise and evolution of Liberation Theology in Latin America and its deep-rooted connection with social justice movements. Emerging in the 1960s amid widespread poverty and oppression, Liberation Theology reinterpreted Christian doctrine through the lens of Marxist critique and grassroots activism. This theological paradigm has since shaped numerous socio-political movements advocating for human dignity, equity, and systemic reform. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the paper evaluates theological foundations, regional impacts, and critiques from both ecclesiastical and secular perspectives. The study also reflects on the relevance of Liberation Theology for contemporary struggles for justice across the Global South.