liberation theology

noun

: a religious movement especially among Roman Catholic clergy in Latin America that combines political philosophy usually of a Marxist orientation with a theology of salvation as liberation from injustice

liberation theologian noun

Examples of liberation theology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rahner’s ideas, including empowering local bishops, were important for the Second Vatican Council, which introduced changes that modernized the church, and for the development of liberation theology, which applied the Gospel to real-world problems, particularly in Latin America. —Mitra Taj, New York Times, 17 May 2025

Dahm, who spent his earlier years in Bolivia, as a missionary and an early practitioner of liberation theology, told me that Leo’s election has already given the Catholic Church a bump. —Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 22 May 2025

But as Douthat notes, Francis’ relationship to liberation theology is complicated. —Maria Clara Bingemer, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2018

Black liberation theology has extensively drawn from Exodus, viewing Moses as a prophet and revolutionary leader. —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for liberation theology

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