Abstract
The paper sheds light on the transatlantic theological discourse during the emergence of liberation theology. It conceptualizes this discourse as a transatlantic communication process reframing it as a transfer and translation of ideas and concepts. Starting from this perspective, I prove the assumption that the transatlantic theological discourse reflected a Latin American claim to academic equity and I show that European reactions to liberation theology implied answers to that claim. As the focus is on the relationship between Latin America and Europe, the article illustrates the significant role of relationships marked by different forms of dependency (economic, political, intellectual) in the development of liberation theology. Furthermore, the paper argues that for a deeper understanding, it is misleading to speak about Latin American theologians on the one hand and European theologians on the other hand, as if it was about clear-cut groups with homogenous motivations, positions, and goals. On the contrary, there were advocates and opponents of liberation theology on both sides of the Atlantic who moreover formed transatlantic alliances. The paper calls those theologians cultural brokers, since they communicated and mediated across the Atlantic.
Highlights
Scholars dealing with intellectual history in Latin America are confronted with a traditional narrative which assumes a lack of independent conceptual development in the subcontinent
The present article aims to shed light on the transatlantic theological discourse during the emergence of liberation theology and conceptualizes this discourse as a transatlantic communication process, reframing it as a transfer and translation of ideas and concepts. Starting from this perspective, I prove the assumption that the transatlantic theological discourse reflected a Latin American claim to academic equity, and I show that European reactions to liberation theology imply answers to that claim
Cultural brokers are familiar with, if not at home in, different knowledge cultures.6. This is especially true for Latin American theologians who were trained in European theology and quite often passed their studies in Europe, and were multilingual
Summary
Scholars dealing with intellectual history in Latin America are confronted with a traditional narrative which assumes a lack of independent conceptual development in the subcontinent. The present article aims to shed light on the transatlantic theological discourse during the emergence of liberation theology and conceptualizes this discourse as a transatlantic communication process, reframing it as a transfer and translation of ideas and concepts. Starting from this perspective, I prove the assumption that the transatlantic theological discourse reflected a Latin American claim to academic equity, and I show that European reactions to liberation theology imply answers to that claim. The present article begins by outlining that the transatlantic theological discourse was a transfer and translation of ideas in both directions and by explaining the term “cultural brokers”
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
