Christianity in Latin America: A History

by Justo L. González

Christianity has had an undeniable impact on Latin America, which has in turn transformed Christianity itself. Focusing on this mutually constitutive relationship, Christianity in Latin America presents the important encounters between people, ideas, and events of this large, heterogeneous subject. This book offers an accessible and engaging review of the history of Christianity in Latin America with a widely ecumenical focus to foster understanding of the various forces shaping both Christianity and the region.

Genres: History, Religion, Christianity, Latin American History, Nonfiction, Theology, Church History

344 pages, Paperback

First published November 12, 2007

About the author

Justo L. González, author of the highly praised three-volume History of Christian Thought and other major works, attended United Seminary in Cuba, received his MA at Yale, and was the youngest person to be awarded a PhD in historical theology at Yale. He is one of the few first generation Latino theologians to come from a Protestant background. He helped to found the Association for Hispanic Theological Education and the Hispanic Theological Initiative. Dr González is now on the faculty of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great, accessible study of Christianity in Latin America, with special foci on autochthonous and Protestant religion. As usual, my one beef with Gonzalez texts is that there aren't footnotes. Chapter notes, suggested reading, sure, but no regular footnotes. It makes it really aggravating to dig deeper into a particular topic. I hope future editions of this book include references so readers can learn more. However, the information presented is high-quality, the examples of individuals are tantalizing and invigorating, and the broad sweep of the history is not lost in the minutiae.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick yet thorough review of 500 years of the largely unfortunate, horrifying history of Christianity in Latin America. Engaging and well-written. I highly recommend it.

[Rae Helmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a long read, but overall really fascinating learning about the bloody and largely violent origins of Christianity in Latin America.

[Tyler Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read "Christianity in Latin America" as a part of my Intercultural Experience class under Professor Jacob Lett at MidAmerica Nazarene University. It functioned as a supplement to my trip to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. I really enjoyed it and appreciated most the seemingly unbiased perspectives that González and González took in their approach to the history of Latin America. They took a careful and honest look at both the Roman Catholic Church, the various protestant movements, and the indigenous movements which arose over the past half-millennium. Additionally, I was impressed with their treatment of peoples who have often been excluded, consciously or unconsciously, from works of history such as this, especially the influence of various women in Latin America. For anyone interested in the history of this area of the globe or anyone who wants to understand why Latin America looks the way it does, I would recommend this book to give them a good overview!

[Cintia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Livro extremamente tendencioso, os autores não expõe apenas fatos, mas também suas opiniões. Na página 375 da edição em português chega a declarar que Paulo Freire estava certo e seus métodos deveriam ser seguidos rigorosamente e na página 378 fala que Leonardo Boff "indiscutivelmente" é o teologo mais proeminente do século XX.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, comprehensive, concise, and eye-opening.

[The other John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among the history books on my shelf are works covering general church history (with a strong European focus), Christianity in Asia, Africa, the United States and Canada. Having read all of these, it was inevitable that I should try to read up on what happened in the church in South America.* The uncle and niece team of Justo and Ondina González have put together a wonderful little book which does a good job of covering the past 500+ years of Christianity in Latin America. After presenting the theological and social state of the church in the Iberian peninsula in the late 1400s, the doctors González show how the religion was planted and grew amongst the natives of and immigrants to those areas of the Americas conquered by Spain and Portugal. They also show how the church in turn was affected by the Christians of Latin America. At 310 pages, it's not an exhaustive study. But it does give an excellent overview that's written with a view and respect for believers amongst the rulers and oppressed alike. It's a book that I'll definitely try to add to my collection.
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* Of course, it took my wife to actually obtain such a volume in a timely manner, but we won't go there.

[Peter Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and somewhat sobering account of Christianity in the 'Latin' parts of America, not just South America. A little credulous about certain kinds of 'miracles' but otherwise fair in respect of the warts on the face of the church's story. Definitely worth the read for me.