Originally Submitted as a Research Assignment titled,

An X-Ray of Bastiaan Wielengas

Liberation Theology in Asia
To the Fuller Seminary Orientation to Theological Studies
On January 24, 2015

Liberation Theology in Asia

by Bastiaan Wielenga
Christianised Marxism over Rice?
This is a treatise from the stance of Liberation Theology in response to the cries and
suffering of people in Asia, designed to bring revolutionary changes to the social and political
situation1 from the particular Asian religio-cutural perspective and context; the treatise
addresses injustice due to decades of oppression2, the despotic grip of Global Capitalism and
the subsequent inequality it creates3, then suggests a remedy: the Church adopting a radical
and homogenous blend of traditional Asian beliefs, eco-feminist insights, Christian
teachings4 and Marxist ideology5.
General Overview
Wielenga starts his approach to the diversity in Asia by identifying the cultures, religions,
political and economic situations throughout the region.6 He then highlights the major issues
and their commonalities.7
1 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, "Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith." (Paper presented at Sacred Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith, Rome, August 6, 1984).

2 Oppression in the form of colonialism, martial law, one-party dictators and communist rule.
3 Decades of oppression resulted in mass poverty, abuse of democratic rights and ecological damage.
4 Bastiaan Wielenga, "The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology" in Cambridge Online Companion,
ed. by Christopher Rowland. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007), 55-78.

5 Mervin Shinoj Boas, "Encounter Between Marxian Philosophy and Theology of Humanisation in India."
(Kashmere: ISPCK, 2007), 20. And Jan Rehmann. "Marx and Engel's Ideology Theroy." In Theories of
Ideology: The Powers of Alienation and Subjection. (Leiden: BRILL, 2013), 38-39.

6 Wielenga, The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology, 55-56.

7 Wielenga identifies these commonalities as persistence of mass poverty, threat to democratic rights, the double
role of religion and the ecological problem. Wielenga, The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology, 5659.

Wielenga observes that after reflecting on the suffering of both the Christ and the Buddha
throughout their earthly sojourns in the context of the ongoing suffering among the peoples of
Asia, sections of the Church then chose to embrace solidarity with people of other religions
and secular beliefs. These factions decided to unite together for freedom from oppression,
suffering, war, poverty, disease and all forms of discrimination.8 Thus, a distinctly Asian
Liberation Theology was formed.

Wielenga moves on and systematically identifies the countries and the influences within
them that have lead to the formation of a liberative theological response9.

Finally, Wielenga suggests some viable alternatives to capitalism and also briefly
explores Feminism and ecological concerns with the view to form an ecologically sustainable
and socially equitable society. He concludes with a declaration to redefine development as if
people mattered10 and believes this blending of eco-feminist insights, secular popular
religion, Asian spirituality and a biblical basis will ultimately usher in life and liberation for
Asia - an urgent cause worth dying for.11
8 Bastiaan Wielenga, "The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology" in Cambridge Online Companion,
ed. by Christopher Rowland. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007), 55-78. And Leonard Boff,
"Prologue." In Getting the Poor down from the Cross. Christoligy of Liberation, by Jos Mara Vigil, 11. (Brazil:
International Theological Commission of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians, 2007).

9 Taiwan and the theologian Choan-Seng Song; Korea under Minjung theology; India under M.M Thomas and
Fr Sebastian Kappen and their Marxist/Socialist ideas which grew into Dalit Theology; Sri Lanka under the
Jesuit priest Aloysius Pieris; Philippines under Maoist influence and China under the Anglican Bishop K.H Ting
. Wielenga, The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology, 62-72.

10S. Rayan, "The Search for an Asian Spirituality of Liberation" in Asian Christian Spirituality. Reclaiming
Traditions, ed. by Virginia Fabella, Kwang-sun David Suh and Peter Lee (New York: Orbis Books, 1992), 25f.
11Wielenga, The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology, 75-76. And Fr. Robert Sirico, "Cathloics for
Marx." Front Page Magazine. June 3, 2003.

Bibliography
Boas, Mervin Shinoj. "Encounter Between Marxian Philosophy and Theology of
Humanisation in India." Kashmere: ISPCK, 2007.
Boff, Leonard. "Prologue." In Getting the Poor down from the Cross. Christoligy of
Liberation, by Jos Mara Vigil, 11. Brazil: International Theological Commission of
the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians, 2007.
Ratzinger, Cardinal Joseph. "Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith". Paper presented at
Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Rome, August 6, 1984.
Rayan, S. "The Search for an Asian Spirituality of Liberation." In Asian Christian
Spirituality. Reclaiming Traditions, edited by Virginia Fabella, Kwang-sun David Suh
and Peter Lee, 25f. New York: Orbis Books, 1992.
Rehmann, Jan. "Marx and Engel's Ideology Theroy." In Theories of Ideology: The Powers of
Alienation and Subjection. Leiden: BRILL, 2013.
Sirico, Fr. Robert. "Cathloics for Marx." Front Page Magazine. June 3, 2003.
Wielenga, Bastiaan. "The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology." In Cambridge
Online Companion. Ed. by Christopher Rowland. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, 2007.