The Government s Political And Economic Tactics - 1575 Words

Grande was most definitely a practicing Liberation theologian. However, he did not employ Marxists concepts, and while he believed in the importance of political action, he focused on transforming the lives of the poor through Biblical instruction, not political revolution. (Brackley) Grande’s sermons were addressed to three audiences: the wealthy class, the government, and the church. He admonished the wealthy in their treatment and disdain of the poor. He challenged them to remember their struggling brothers and provide relief and support when possible. He opposed the government’s political and economic tactics that continued to take advantage of the working class, and disapproved of the government’s actions against clergy members.†¦show more content†¦So that if Jesus crosses the border at Chalatenango, they will not allow him to enter. They would accuse him, the man-God ... of being an agitator, of being a Jewish foreigner, who confuses the people wi th exotic and foreign ideas, anti-democratic ideas, and i.e., against the minorities. Ideas against God, because this is a clan of Cain’s. Brothers, they would undoubtedly crucify him again. And they have said so. (Grande) The last group to experience Grande’s controversial speeches was the church itself. The church in El Salvador had historically united itself with the wealthy of the country, further alienating and devaluing the poor (Status Quo 183). Grande fiercely defended the poor and argued against their maltreatment. He also strongly advocated for social change, which he believed should start with pastoral renewal (Brackley). All in all, Grande was more concerned with imparting Christian principles, and thus while his speeches were built on Liberation theology, his emphasis was on the Bible and its inherent ability to change the situation in El Salvador. In addition to his fiery sermons, Grande fought social oppression by cultivating and nurturing Christian base communities, or Comunidades Eclesiales de Base-CEB’s (Gospel 147). Grande did this during his evangelical mission work in Aguilares, El Salvador. CEB’s developed as priests moved to poorer communities and towns. While there, they lived and worked alongside those suffering from poverty