Gutierrez and Marx: Christian Ethics from the Roots of Marxism

The study of theology in the last century faced constant calls for relevance and connection with human struggles. Many responses thought to make theology more significant in relation to politics and ethics. Liberation theology is one of such responses focused on the social struggle of Central and South American countries, influencing also several countries and sectors of society around the world. The writings of Carl Marx became involved in many of the social movements in the twentieth century. It was used by liberation theology in their search for relevance and understanding of the struggles of society. Marxist ideal is that philosophy must not only interpret the world but also change it. There is a clear contrast between this call for relevance and the active role that theology has played through centuries of apparent indifference to the social struggles outside of the religious arena despite the biblical calls for social justice. There are three objectives of this study. First, this paper introduces Gustavo Gutierrez, and his definition of theology as “critical reflection on praxis.” The second goal is to evaluate the relationship between the roots of Marxism and Gutierrez’s definition of theology. And the third goal is to criticize the relationship between Gutierrez and Marx from the perspective of Christian ethics, the example of the prophets, the testimony of other modern ethicists, and Jesus as the maximum example of commitment for liberation