HEURISTIC THEOLOGY OF LIBERATION: A THEOLOGICAL READING OF JOÃO BATISTA LIBANIO'S PEDAGOGICAL PRAXIS

Abstract

The recent sociocultural and technological transformations that have impacted and continue to impact contemporary society place pedagogical reflection as one of the most challenging and decisive aspects in the pursuit of teaching-learning processes. We had the rich opportunity to experience, in the academic and pastoral theological context, the pedagogical praxis of João Batista Libanio, through which we were gradually introduced to the cultivation of intellectual life. This praxis can be characterized as Heuristic Theology of Liberation. The liberating heuristic hermeneutical method engendered by this Brazilian theologian contributes significantly to our quest for responding to the challenges and urgencies of rethinking the contemporary teaching-learning process. Due to its originality and creative dynamics, both for the mentor and the mentee, and its theoretical and practical relevance, this pedagogical praxis centered on achieving the autonomy of each learning subject proves to be a pre­cious vein of research and debate. Throughout our doctoral research, we delved into the extensive intellectual legacy of this renowned Jesuit theologian, focus ing on his pedagogical praxis embedded in the thinking-doing-teaching theology. In this article, our objective is to elucidate the origins, concept, characteristics, and pedagogical processes propelled by João Batista Libanio’s Heuristic Theology of Liberation. It is organized into three parts: in the first part, we gather some decisive “pedagogical insights” that provided the foundations for the formula­tion and consolidation of his innovative pedagogical method; in the second part, we present the process of engendering and the characterization of the liberating heuristic hermeneutical method forged and utilized by him, and, finally, in the last part, we explain the significance of considering this pedagogical praxis as Heuristic Theology of Liberation.

KEYWORDS: Theology of Liberation. Pedagogy. João Batista Libanio. Pedagogical Heuristic Liberationist Method. Heuristic Theology of Liberation.