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...

The Kingdom of God & The Healthcare Debate (Intro)

Much ink, time, and press have been given lately to the current healthcare crisis - healthcare costs skyrocketing out of control, prickly questions about whether healthcare is a right and if it is then is healthcare equality also a right (i.e. Should the US Senators and the homeless man recieve the same level of care?). Words like "efficiency" & "limited resources" & "socialized medicine" & "market-driven" swirl around in a storm of power plays, barbed rhetoric, and ridiculous complexity. There is much confusion about what the new bills in the House & Senate do and don't do and there is no shortage of opinions at all places along the spectrum. If I were to be honest about where I am on the spectrum...I have no stinking idea!!

In the coming weeks I will try to honestly portray the tensions that reside within my mind and heart about what option (if such an option exists) that is consistent with the kingdom of God. I live in world - i.e. Medicine - as a physician that at least in my opinion is very opposed to any such reform bills being passed. Some objections are purely financial and greed-driven - the perceived ability to earn more money, etc - while others put forward concerns about the quality of care that will be given.

I also live in the world of theology and the kingdom of God and seek to be defined first and foremost as a disciple of Jesus Christ and no other. Justice for the poor and the least among us is an absolute non-negotiable in the eyes of God. He has proven repeatedly that he dislikes it when the rich oppress the poor and perpetuate injustice.

Christians are equally divided on this issue with perspectives from all corners claiming to be doing the will of God. What in the world is going on? I have no intention of trying to answer all these questions (or any of them for that matter) in this blog but I do hope to portray one man's honest perspective and questions about our current situation. I pray that whatever is done with these posts will be only helpful and conversation-provoking. One thing I am certain of is that wherever there is slander from any side, it does not reflect the image of Jesus.

Blessings...