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From Babel to Pentecost: Using the Soteriologies of Gustavo Gutierrez

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From Babel to Pentecost: Using the Soteriologies of Gustavo Gutierrez From Babel to Pentecost: Using the Soteriologies of Gustavo Gutierrez and Aloysius Pieris to Challenge Facets of the Project of Neoliberal Globalization and Nurture the Development of New Liberation Theologies by Bernard Kevin Smyth A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Regis College and the Theology Department of the Toronto School of Theology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College © Copyright by Bernard Smyth 2014 From Babel to Pentecost: Using the Soteriologies of Gustavo Gutierrez and Aloysius Pieris to Challenge Facets of the Project of Neoliberal Globalization and Nurture the Development of New Liberation Theologies Bernard Kevin Smyth Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael’s College 2014 Abstract This dissertation is a theological response to influential North American expressions of the neoliberal project, including the Harper government’s agenda that began in Canada in 2006. The thesis draws on the works of Gustavo Gutierrez and Aloysius Pieris, and argues that their soteriologies have a relevance that transcends the borders of Peru and Sri Lanka respectively. Their works inform a contemporary theological response by challenging the option for privilege, reconfiguring epistemic justice at the centre of social justice struggles, and confronting Eurocentric linear understandings of history as progress. The dissertation traces several expressions of the neoliberal project as these emerged in North America beginning in the 1980s, gives some examples of increasing popular resistance, and demonstrates ways in which the neoliberal project is theologically unacceptable. It brings Gutierrez and Pieris into conversation to show where their soteriologies provide direction for the development of theologies and movements for church renewal which challenge neoliberal globalization. The project concludes ii with a discussion of the implications of these conversations for the contemporary Canadian context. The soteriologies of Gutierrez and Pieris demand not only the reconnection of theology and history, but also economics and history. They offer theological resources to challenge the Harper government’s attack on the Canadian women’s movement and its re-writing of Canadian history. Their theologies provide direction for the renewal of Catholic Social Teaching. They help us challenge contemporary Islamophobia by situating interreligious dialogue at the centre of the struggle for justice. Lastly, their works inspire us see the presence of the frontierless Christ in those persons and movements struggling against the hegemony of the neoliberal ‘Babel’ and working towards a new Pentecost where the Spirit of hope, compassion and solidarity, is recreating an alternative harmonious world enriched by many voices. iii Acknowledgments I am deeply grateful to the following people: Colleen, my wife and life partner whose commitment to “acting justly, loving tenderly and walking humbly with God” has been an inspiration to me for almost half a century. I am grateful for Colleen’s love, confidence, patience, critical reflections, and support during my studies. My children, Brendan, Emily, Deirdre, Dermot and Aidan, who supported and encouraged me throughout the project. I extend particular thanks to Brendan for the invaluable conversations, his advice on sources and writing, and his careful proofreading of various drafts. Elaine Chu, Registrar at Regis College, for her constant encouragement, especially during difficult times, and for helping me successfully navigate the university bureaucracy. Dr. Rachael Cayley, Senior Lecturer at the Office of English Language and Writing Support, at the School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto, for helping me understand the thesis as a genre of writing. Ovey Mohammed, S.J., a member of my advisory committee with whom I studied courses on Christianity and the World Religions, and Eastern Religions. Fr. Mohammed opened my eyes to the presence of the Divine in all the religious traditions and impressed upon me the importance of interreligious dialogue. My thesis director Lee Cormie who helped me understand that theology needs to be thoroughly incarnational, and appreciate the presence of the Spirit in those persons and movements working for Another Possible World. I was privileged to have Lee for my supervisor and am grateful for his commitment to the oppressed, his extensive knowledge of liberation theologies, his powerful critical sense, and his ongoing patience and support. iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iv INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................................. 19 Neoliberalism as a Theological Challenge ................................................................................... 19 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 19 1.2 The Neoliberal Project ................................................................................................... 20 1.2.1 A Brief Description ................................................................................................. 20 1.2.2 Some North American Expressions of Neoliberalism ............................................ 26 1.3 Some Examples of North American Participation in Global Resistance to the Neoliberal Project ....................................................................................................................................... 30 1.4 Three Facets of Neoliberalism Studied from Below and Considered Theologically ..... 39 1.4.1 The Option for Privilege ......................................................................................... 40 1.4.2 Eurocentric Universality ......................................................................................... 44 1.4.3 History as Evolutionary Linear Progress ................................................................ 48 1.5 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 52 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................................. 54 Gutierrez’ Soteriological Challenges to Developmentalism and Colonialism ............................. 54 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 54 2.2 Some Notes on Gutierrez’ Political and Theological Context ....................................... 55 v 2.2.1 Developmentalism .................................................................................................. 55 2.2.2 The Inadequacy of Modern Conservative and Liberal Theologies ......................... 59 2.3 Developmentalist and Colonial Hegemony Theologically Considered ......................... 62 2.3.1 Developmentalism .................................................................................................. 62 2.3.2 Colonialism ............................................................................................................. 64 2.4 Gutierrez’ Soteriological Challenges to Developmentalism and Colonialism............... 68 2.4.1 Two Necessary Soteriological Departures .............................................................. 68 2.4.1.1 Reconnecting History and Salvation ................................................................... 68 2.4.1.2 A Revolutionary Epistemological Break............................................................ 75 2.4.2 Challenging the Option for Privilege ...................................................................... 78 2.4.3 Challenging Eurocentric Universality ..................................................................... 81 2.4.4 Challenging Linear Evolutionary History ............................................................... 86 2.5 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 89 CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................................. 90 Aloysius Pieris’ Theological Challenge to Privilege: Reconfiguring Dialogue and Communion at the Centre of the Liberation Theology .......................................................................................... 90 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 90 3.2 Pieris’ Understanding of the Asian Context ................................................................... 92 3.2.1 Sri Lanka ................................................................................................................. 92 3.2.2 Religiosity and Poverty ........................................................................................... 93 3.3 The Church’s Journey ...................................................................................................
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