Liberation Theologies of the Twentieth Century: Insights for Integral Development of Africa in the Twenty-First Century
Samuel O. Okanlawon 
Issue: Vol.7 No.1 January 2021 Issue Article 1 pp. 1-8
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.2021711 | Published online 18th January 2021.
© 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Development ideas and programmes in Africa generally overlook the role of religion. But contrary to this attitude, religion, in this context, Christianity, can be a catalyst to the development of Africa in the twenty-first century. The theological discourse of the twentieth century propelled progressive socio-economic and political developments. Thus, the paper examines the liberation theologies of the twentieth century and contextualizes the lessons learned from them for development in Africa and as an exemplar exercise in public theology. This is done using the historical method of research within the ambit of the theory of theological reflection. The liberation theologies affirmed the biblical ethos of liberation for all people under God with a focus on poverty, racism, and gender inequality. They became the platform for galvanizing efforts towards humanization and the betterment of people’s lives. Their propositions can be integrated into thinking and quest for development in Africa.
Keywords: Theology, Liberation, Liberation Theologies, Development, Feminist, Africa, Black, Public Theology.
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Samuel Oluwatosin Okanlawon holds a PhD in Christian Theology from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. He lectures courses in Christian Theology in the same department, both at the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. He is the Editor of the Nigerian Association for Christian Studies (NACS) that publishes the Nigerian Journal of Christian Studies and a member of the Editorial Board of International Journal of Religion and Traditions. His research interests are in the theological interpretation of issues within socio-ecclesiological contexts, and how these issues can be situated within the framework of the complete biblical revelation encompassing the Old and New Testaments with particular reference to Nigeria and Africa at large. And he has published eighteen (18) articles concerning his research interests.
Okanlawon, S. O., “Liberation Theologies of the Twentieth Century: Insights for Integral Development of Africa in the Twenty-First Century” E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 7 no.1 (2021): 1-8 https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.2021711
© 2021 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Publishers. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
