The Mestizo/a Community of the Spirit: A Postmodern Latino/a Ecclesiology

by Oscar Garcia-Johnson

This work models a creative exercise in ecclesiology based on a Latino/a practical theology of the Spirit, which designs theological discourse based on its encounter with the Spirit in human culture. Hence, it is a theology appreciative of and attentive to the "multiple matrices and intersections" of the Spirit with cultures. Garcia-Johnson offeres an appreciative and critical analysis of the uses of culture among Latino/a theologians, followed by the proposal for a postmodern Spirit-friendly cultural paradigm based on the narratives of the cross and the Pentecost. He develops a practical theology for a Latino/a postmodern ecclesiology based on three native Latino/a theological mestizaje, accompaniment, and manana eschatology. The resulting ecclesial construct-The Mestizo/a Community of Manana-reflects a transforming manana vision and models the visible cruciform community in which the transforming praxis and historical transcendence of the Christ-Spirit works from within. The work sets forth practical guidelines for implementation of the ecclesial construct in the urban context of devastated communities and offers suggestions for further development in Latino/a theology.

174 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Oscar García-Johnson (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is assistant professor of systematic theology and Latino/a studies at Fuller. He also teaches at the University of La Verne and at Alberto Mottesi School of Evangelism, a Hispanic Bible school that trains Latino/a leaders around the world.