Gustavo Gutiérrez: Essential Writings

by Gustavo Gutiérrez

Drawing from all of his many published books, as well as little-known essays and several pieces translated specially for this volume, Gustavo Gutiérrez: Essential Writings provides an overview and an entry into the mind of a great modern Christian thinker. Twenty-five years after the publication of his classic work A Theology of Liberation, this anthology offers a comprehensive view of the work of this Peruvian priest and theologian. Gutiérrez has permanently altered the modern theological landscape, challenging all theologians and the world church to hear the gospel message from the "underside of history," from the perspective of the poor and oppressed.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Social Justice, History

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Gustavo Gutiérrez-Merino Díaz was a Peruvian philosopher, Catholic theologian, and Dominican priest who was one of the founders of liberation theology in Latin America. His 1971 book A Theology of Liberation is considered pivotal to the formation of liberation theology. He held the John Cardinal O'Hara Professorship of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and was a visiting professor at universities in North America and Europe.
Gutiérrez studied medicine and literature at the National University of San Marcos before deciding to become a priest. He began studying theology at the Theology Faculty of Leuven in Belgium and in Lyon, France.
His theological focus connected salvation and liberation through the preferential option for the poor, with an emphasis on improving the material conditions of the impoverished. Gutiérrez proposed that revelation and eschatology have been excessively idealized at the expense of efforts to bring about the Kingdom of God on Earth. His methodology was often critical of the social and economic injustice he believed to be responsible for poverty in Latin America, and of the Catholic clergy. The central pastoral question of his work was: "How do we convey to the poor that God loves them?"

Reviews

[Erin Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing collection of essays from Latin American theologian. I feel I have a much better understanding of liberation theology after reading this. His writing even in translation is beautiful, convicting and inspiring.

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing collection—I recommend it as a beautiful introduction into Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez's work.

[Alexandria Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I'm finding this to be a nice compilation of Guttierez's writings. The editor does a nice job of putting his ideas in chronological order, describing the issues and dialogue as it progressed, and then pulling out key parts that are relevant. I feel like I'm getting "the best of" in a seamless way that flows well intellectually and follows the development of his thought. Not sure what page I'm on.

[Thomas Foster Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent introduction to Guttierez. His work on structural violence had a big impact on my own thinking about social justice. The introduction to some of the essays was helpful.