Book Review
Christianity in Latin America: A History
Ondina E. González and Justo L. González, Cambridge & New York: CUP, 2008. 344 pages.
ISBN-13:9780521681926 (paperback) US$23.99; ISBN-13:9780521863292 (hardback) US$80.00;
ISBN-13: 9780511363870 (ebook) $20.00
Para leer esta crítica en español clic aquí.
Generations of students in Latin America have used the multivolume work of Justo González, Historia del Cristianismo (1st ed. 1978, 2nd ed.. 1994) for their church history classes. Although starting from the primitive church and ending in 20th century USA this includes a large section on the Spanish and Portuguese Catholic conquests of Central and South America, and subsequent Protestant missionary activitiy.
The same writer has produced other works relating to South America: Entre la cruz y la espada : evangelización o adoctrinamiento en América Latina (with Francisco Rodríguez Cavero), Cristianismo: culto o profecía: el hecho religioso andino, Poverty and ecclesiology: nineteenth-century evangelicals in the light of liberation theology (with Anthony L. Dunnavant) and Each in our own tongue : a history of Hispanics in United Methodism .
Because of the author’s expertise and the lack of a publication dedicated simply to the history of the church in Latin American church history, the publication of Christianity in Latin America: A History with Ondina González as coauthor is most welcome.
The book covers significant aspects of both the conquest of the Roman Catholic Church, the loss of the Church´s power with the rise of liberalism, protestant immigration and subsequent evangelistic activities. In other words the story commences with the Aztecs, Mayas and the Incas and closes with 21st century Pentecostalism. In between the reader encounters the expulsion of the Jesuits, the effect of liberal idealism, the rise of caudillos, the entrance of the Bible Societies, the origins of liberation theology, accounts of faith healers and of saints like Santa Rosa of Lima, San Martín de Porres and San Pedro Clavear, the slave of the slaves. Where relevant the role of women within the church’s struggles is noted.
Different countries are considered according to their part within Latin American church history. Readers encounter the political wars in Colombia, the arrival of the Waldensians in Uruguay, the work of the charismatics in Chile and Brazil, the priests on strike in Mexico City, the terrors of the inquisition and the defense of the Indians against the conquistadors by Bartolomé de las Casas.
This range of material means that each chapter contains much of interest and themes that would warrant a book in its own right.
Inevitably one volume so extensive in time and geography will have its limitations. Claims will be made that events are omitted. For instance there is nothing on the Puritans coming to Providence Island in the 17th century. There also seems to be a lack of appreciation of the reformation’s radical effect on the new reformed church’s doctrine, sacraments and practice.
There is also an annoying lack of referencing in many sections although the authors claim that the bibliography is sufficient to track down the relevant sources. Unfortunately sections of the book are also written in a somewhat colloquial style of English which is unsuited to an academic publication.
Summarising the publication’s strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths
- Combines the entire history of Catholic and Protestant development in Latin America.
- Covers different countries according to significant events in church hisotry.
- The flow of church history and its interaction with social and political events and ideological movements is well maintained.
- New publication taking into account the role of women in history.
Weaknesses
- Lack of summary tables or time lines with.
- Lack of references within the text.
- The extent of material covered in one volume means that there are omissions.
This is a valuable publication for pastors and students. Learning from history enables the church to become more effective today. When it is translated into Spanish this will become the standard text on the history of the church in Latin America.
David E. C. Ford, Profesor de Nuevo Testamento & Historia de la Iglesia, Fundación Universitaria Seminario Bíblico de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia