Contextual Theology for Latin America

In the context of Latin America, the theology of liberation is both dominant and world renowned. However, this context and the pursuit of theological relevance belong also to other voices. Orlando E. Costas, Samuel Escobar, J. Andrew Kirk, Emilio A. Nunez and C. Rene Padilla are thinkers who have sought to bring an evangelical understanding of liberation to the people of Latin America. Despite their influence on national and international theology and despite their transformative contribution to the praxis of churches ministering in contexts of poverty, their thought has not been systematized to dates. This work deals with this lacuna presenting the vitality of Latin American evangelical theology which seeks to be biblical, relevant and missiologically effective, thus offering a liberation which is holistic and grounded in the kingdom of God. 'For over thirty-five years the Latin American Theological Fraternity (FTL, its acronym in Spanish) has been actively engaged in articulating an evangelical and liberating response to a wide variety of socio-economic, political, cultural and religious issues that affect the life and mission of the church in Latin America. Without denying the contextual character of the FTL, one is safe in claiming that this theology has very much to say to Christians all over the world. That being the case, many readers will be deeply thankful to Sharon Heaney for providing a first-class systematic and comprehensive review of the historical background and the main themes of this most significant theological movement in Latin America - and indeed, in the world today.' C. Rene Padilla, International President of Tearfund, Emeritus President of the Kairos Foundation in Buenos Aires, Argentina 'Whereas Latin American Liberation Theology is renowned throughout the worldwide Christian community, a fresh expression of evangelical mission theology from the same context is less well known. This book redresses the balance and shows why this latter pattern of theological thought offers a new focus and process of the renewal of theology that successfully combines faithfulness to the full biblical message with sensitive awareness of the historical and social reality of a turbulent, suffering continent. Her comprehensive, sympathetic and discerning treatment of this theological approach deserves to be read widely, pondered deeply and enacted practically.' J. Andrew Kirk, author of What is Mission? Theological Explorations and Mission under Scrutiny: Confronting current Challenges 'Well-researched, clearly written, informative and illuminating. Sharon Heaney's study of evangelical theology in Latin America is a significant contribution to our understanding of the contemporary church and its mission.' Stephen N. Williams, Professor of Systematic Theology, Union Theological College, Belfast Sharon E. Heaney was educated at Carrickfergus Grammar School and Queens University Belfast. She holds an honors degree from Queens University in Theology and Hispanic Studies. Presently Dr Heaney teaches Religious Studies at Bloxham School, Oxfordshire. She lives in Oxford with her husband Robert and son Sam.