Liberation through Reconciliation: Jon Sobrino's Christological Spirituality

by O. Ernesto Valiente

Overview

In the past one hundred years alone, more than 200 million people have been killed as a consequence of systematic repression, political revolutions, or ethnic or religious war. The legacy of such violence lingers long after the immediate conflict. Drawing on the author's experiences of his native El Salvador, Liberation through Reconciliation builds on Jon Sobrino's thought to construct a Christian spirituality and theology of reconciliation that overcomes conflict by attending to the demands of truth, justice, and forgiveness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823268528
Publisher:	Fordham University Press
Publication date:	12/01/2015
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

O. Ernesto Valiente is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He has published "Renewing the Theology of Martyrdom," Irish Theological Quarterly 79 (2014), "From Conflict to Reconciliation: Discipleship in the Theology of Jon Sobrino" Theological Studies 74 (2013) and "From Utopia to Eu-topia: The Mediation of Christian Hope in History," in Hope: Promise, Possibility, and Fulfillment.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE: LIBERATION AND RECONCILIATION
Sketching the Contours of Reconciliation
The Scriptural Roots of Reconciliation
Reconciliation from a Contemporary Christian Perspective
The Reconciling Agents and Their Task
The Context of Reconciliation
A Liberationist Approach to Reconciliation
Liberation: The Praxis toward Reconciliation
A Preferential Option for the Oppressed, Marginalized, and the Materially Poor
The Praxis of Reconciliation
Praxis, Spirituality, and Theology

CHAPTER TWO: CONFRONTING A CONFLICTED REALITY
El Salvador in Continued Crisis
The Transformation of a First-World Consciousness
Medellín and the Salvadoran Church
The Influence of Two Martyrs
Ellacuría's Legacy: A Philosophical Framework for Sobrino's Spirituality
Conclusion

CHAPTER THREE: THEOLOGY AS A TASK GUIDED BY THE SPIRIT
The Impact of Spirituality on Christian Praxis and Theology
Foundations for a Theologal Spirituality
Fundamental Theologal Spirituality and the Following of Jesus
Sobrino's Methodological Presuppositions
A Theology That Engages Reality with Honesty and Compassion
A Theology That Faithfully Perseveres in Its Honesty towards Reality
Letting the Grace of Reality Carry Theology
Conclusion

CHAPTER FOUR: LIFE AND SPIRIT OF THE TRUE HUMAN BEING
Sobrino's Approach to Christology: From Jesus to Christ
Incarnation: God Being Honest with Reality
Jesus' Mission and His Spirit of Faithfulness to Reality
The Cross: Remaining Faithful to the End
The Resurrection: Letting Ourselves Be Carried by the Real
Conclusion

CHAPTER FIVE: RECONCILING REALITY
The Confrontation of Sin and Grace in History
Approaching the Source of Conflict and the Mystery of Sin
The Mystery of Salvation I: A Christian Spirituality of Reconciliation
The Mystery of Salvation II: Toward a Liberationist Theology
Reconciliation
Conclusion

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Editorial Reviews

"This book skillfully takes up the theological tools forged by Jon Sobrino and extends their reach by articulating a theology and spirituality of reconciliation that confronts honestly, even painfully, situations of conflict, oppression and suffering today. What is the future of liberation theology? Books like this one and the praxis that it details." — Matthew Ashley, University of Notre Dame

"Ernesto Valiente has uncovered new riches in the spirituality of Jon Sobrino and given new texture to the discussion of reconciliation in Latin America. This book is an important contribution to the further development of the theology of liberation today."-Robert Schreiter, Catholic Theological Union

"In this excellent book, I appreciate especially the architecture of the theological reflection. Valiente departs from a painful historical event—a civil war, which is the worst of all wars because of the many sequelae it leaves—to put forward an interpretation of reconciliation that responds to the festering wounds that take so long to heal. The book steers clear from facile wishings for peace and reconciliation and goes to what is essential in the Christian life: what Jon Sobrino calls "the principle of mercy." Step by step, the book delves more deeply into its underpinning theological foundation to weave together, with clarity and novelty, Sobrino's spirituality and Christology."-Gustavo Gutierrez, O.P.

From the Publisher

In this excellent book, I appreciate especially the architecture of the theological reflection. Valiente departs from a painful historical event—a civil war, which is the worst of all wars because of the many sequelae it leaves—to put forward an interpretation of reconciliation that responds to the festering wounds that take so long to heal. The book steers clear from facile wishings for peace and reconciliation and goes to what is essential in the Christian life: what Jon Sobrino calls “the principle of mercy.” Step by step, the book delves more deeply into its underpinning theological foundation to weave together, with clarity and novelty, Sobrino’s spirituality and Christology.

Gustavo Gutierrez

This book skillfully takes up the theological tools forged by Jon Sobrino and extends their reach by articulating a theology and spirituality of reconciliation that confronts honestly, even painfully, situations of conflict, oppression and suffering today. What is the future of liberation theology? Books like this one and the praxis that it details.

University of Notre Dame - Matthew Ashley

Ernesto Valiente has uncovered new riches in the spirituality of Jon Sobrino and given new texture to the discussion of reconciliation in Latin America. This book is an important contribution to the further development of the theology of liberation today.

Catholic Theological Union - Robert Schreiter