José Martí's Liberative Political Theology argues that Martí's religious views, which at first glance might appear outdated and irrelevant, are actually critical to understanding his social vision. During a time in which the predominant philosophical view was materialistic (e.g., Darwin, Marx), Martí sought to reconcile social and political trends with the metaphysical, believing that ignoring the spiritual would create a soulless approach toward achieving a liberative society. As such, Martí used religious concepts and ideas as tools that could bring forth a more just social order. In short, this book argues Martí could be considered a precursor to what would come to be called liberation theology. Miguel De La Torre has authored the most comprehensive text written thus far concerning Martí's religious views and how they affected his political thought. The few similar texts that exist are written in Spanish, and most of them romanticize Martí's spirituality in an attempt to portray him as a "Christian believer." Only a handful provide an academic investigation of Martí's theological thought based solely on his writings, and those concentrate on just one aspect of Martí's religious influences. José Martí's Liberative Political Theology allows for mutual influence between Martí's political and religious views, rather than assuming one had precedence over the other.

Preface Notes on Translation Introduction Chapter One: A Catholic Spiritual FoundationThe Physical-Metaphysical Divide First Spiritual Utterances Martí's Religiosity Catholicism Catholic Influences Bishop Espada and Father Caballero Fathers Varela and Luz La Santa Biblia Chapter Two: Apostle to a New ReligionA Positivist Age La nueva religión La nueva iglesia Protestantism Krausismo Masonic Influences Chapter Three: Pluralist Spiritual FoundationSpiritualism Unitarianism and Transcendentalism Eastern Traditions African Traditions Indigenous Traditions Judaism Liberative Christian Humanism Chapter Four: Precursor to Liberation TheologyLiberation Theology Liberative Message of Love Violence Establishing Justice Economic Imperialism Solidarity with the Oppressed Praxis Raising Consciousness Chapter Five: Theological AssumptionsGod Humans Jesucristo Aesthetics Sin Suffering and Martyrdom Notes Bibliography Index