Liberation Theology After the End of History: The Refusal to Cease Suffering (Radical Orthodoxy)

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Summary: Ecclesial Resistance to Capitalism
Review: Liberation Theology has fallen on hard times in the wake of the "triumph of capitalism" in the lase 20 years. In this fascinating and engaging book, Daniel Bell revisits Liberation Theology in light of the contemporary global situation and examins the shortcomings of conventional Liberation Theology, pointing instead to an ecclesiocentric form of theology and practice which offers a means of Christian resistance to the triumph of global capitalism.

Bell first sets out to examine that nature of capitalism which he identifies as a "discipline of desire." Capitalism channels, shapes and corrupts human desire ordering them toward violent, sinful ends which manifest themselves throught the Third World where the horrible fruits of capitalism are being born out. Bell shows how capitalism captures human desire and orders it toward consumption in the market. This "technology of desire" has in large part subverted the church and it's mission to embody God's kingdom.

Concentrating at length on how this has manifiested itself in the failure of Liberation Theology in Latin America, Bell shows the effect of the "New Christendom" ecclesiology of Maritain and it's and Liberation Theology's ultimately failing to recognize the church a political, social and economic body in it's own right. Liberation Theology is flawed in it's acceptance of the modernist notion of "politics as statecraft" which curtains off the church from a properly direct challenge to the powers of the state and the market.

Bell sketches in response an ecclesial model of resistance to capitialism grounded in the Christian practice of forgiveness, which as Bell argues counters the capitalist technology of desire with a "therapy of desire" which heals human desires, reordering them to their proper end of communion with God and others.

From begining to end this book is fascinating and profound. His argument that forgiveness between victims and victimizers is the proper Christian response to the evils of capitalism is, I think excellent. Moreover, Bell is constantly careful to ground his understanging of the Church's practices in the Spirit's work within the church which ultimately flows from and returns to the life of communion, self-donation and plenitude that characterizes the Triune Life of God. This book is perhaps the best contemporary book on Liberation Theology as well as a compelling theological critique of capitalism and account of a Christian understanding of desire and forgiveness. As two of the commentators on the cover of the book note, this book is helpfully read in connection with William Cavanaugh's "Torture and Eucharist" which touches on many of the same themes. Highly recommended.