Liberation Theology & Health Care

There are many voices in the health care debate. Many voices come from places of power and influence with much at stake to lose in the scuffle. One voice however comes from the margins because its voice rests among those who have no voice and who have already lost so much at the hands of the powerful. Liberation theology (as a formal theological discipline) originated in the 20th century from a brilliant priest still serving today in the Peruvian mountains among the poorest of the poor in that region of the world.

Liberation theology hinges on a fundamental belief: God has made a preferential choice on behalf of the poor & therefore it is the church's responsibility to do so as well. Liberation theology points to the numerous and repeated incidences in scripture where God chooses the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized for his work. He chooses widows, children, prostitutes, younger brothers, fishermen, uneducated, tax collectors, etc for his work. Jesus' incarnation was as a poor, homeless carpenter's son born on the backside of nowhere. God's preference for the poor and marginalized is a statement of solidarity with those society dehumanizes and deems less important. It is a choice to stand with the marginalized directly opposed to the cultural impulses that seek to strip people of their dignity.

Implications...(if the church were to take this seriously)

1. The church must identify those groups which are dehumanized by society, even if the church morally disagrees with them, and stand with them against the cultural oppression. This is easy(er) when we view the oppression context as the rich white man oppressing the poor black man. This is much more difficult when we look at other groups our society deems as less than human (i.e. homosexuals, those on welfare, etc.) and hear God calling us to stand with them against the societal impulse to reject them.
2. In any debate, it is the church's responsibility to insure the voice of the poorest of the poor is heard and heard well. When the marginalized are silenced by contemporary culture on issues that directly affect them and thus dehumanized, the church is to be the place where that voice is heard, listened to, and encouraged to be spoken.
3. In doing either of the above-mentioned options, the church risks (and fully expects to receive) the ire of both Christendom-bound churches as well as those in positions of power and influence. The church must be willing to engage passionately in pursuits of justice that place it directly in the line of fire from many sides. To reach this point requires a redefining of the good news of Jesus as the arrival of the kingdom of God rather than a simplistic opportunity for eternal destiny.
4. Regarding the health care debate specifically, I find myself in a difficult position. As a white male in a field of powerful, wealthy individuals I am part of a long line of oppressors now called to join the oppressed. Health care is an industry based on economics that does its best to avoid and repel the very people liberation theology (and much of scripture) call the most important. The implications of such a belief - not only on my own life but also hospital systems, medical companies, and the entire industry - shake the very foundations of this field called health care.

Liberation theology is very interesting to me. It is a discipline that is easy to agree with intellectually but very difficult to live out the implications of viewing Jesus, the church, and the world through its lens. I am new to the exploration of Liberation Theology but I hear rings of truth and gospel and passion for issues that matter within its community. As we go forward on the issue of health care and seeking the kingdom of god and his justice in all things, the voice of the poorest of the poor may in fact be the voice needed the most.

Blessings...