Latino Theology: Origins and Contributions

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Table of Contents

My Feeling After Reading the Book
Why Latino Christians Created Latino Theology
The Origin of Latino Theology
Latino Theology and Hispanic Christianity
Contribution of Latino Theology to Christianity
Importance of Africa in Understanding Latino Theology
Work Cited

My Feeling After Reading the Book

The Latin Theology book written by Miguel A. De La Torre and Edwin David Aponte brings out Hispanic and Latin cultural, spiritual, and ecclesiastical theologies. The protestant and catholic customs are outlined using a Hispanic approach to theology definitions. While reading the Latin Theology book, I was surprised by the information and details in the book about Latino communities. It amazes me how there has been a transitional change in the generation of Christianity. Aponte and Miguel argue that the American religion has been transformed by “the growing Latinx population and their distinct spiritual manifestations” (14). I have also learned that Latino theology is a liberation theology as it is still the same as queer theology and feminist theology.

Latino Theology is linked to the way of postcolonial hermeneutics. The Latina theology book has helped me understand Hispanics since Latina America are involved. The real power of the term Latin and its true meaning erupts with its final syllable. Latinx describes something that is not as much as Latin “as it is alternative America, the unexpected x factor in America’s race debate” (Aponte and Miguel 8). From Latino Theology, educational goals have been achieved through the book’s details that bring out the argumentative point of how Latina is influential compared to the current Christian generation.

Why Latino Christians Created Latino Theology

The Latino Christians felt the need to create Latino Theology due to the increasing number of American Latino theologists working in universities. Another reason that brought a rise to Latino theology was the questions about Hispanic culture and their way of life. Also, Latino theology spread because the income level was increasing. In the book’s first chapter, Aponte and Miguel show how the Latinos view the divine, churches, rituals, and biblical texts (9). Mainstream Americans view Hispanics through the high level of Christianity consistency they uphold. Hispanics also show great value in areas such as families. Hispanics are people who necessitate equality and equity in all premises. Hispanics speak Spanish, with many of Mexican origin, and are America’s most populated minority group, with the majority being Protestant and Christian.

The Origin of Latino Theology

Latino Theology originated in Latin America in the 1960s, roughly 1967. Some major theologists include Edward David Aponte, Sixto Garcia, and Nancy Pineda. Sixto Garcia contributed to Latino theology by translating it into Latin culture. Anthony Stevens-Arroyo and Maria-Diaz Stevens were the significant people and leaders of the religious movement behind Latino theology in the United States of America. The individuals identifying as Hispanic can be of any race or mixed race. An event that erected Latino Theology nationwide in California was the boycott led by Cesar Chavez in 1968. The riots took over the courthouse in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. Christian religious beliefs and traditions were the primary influence that helped shape Latino Theology perspectives.

Latino Theology and Hispanic Christianity

Latino Theology is better defined and understood as a well-organized occurrence that has been analyzed from the life experiences of Latino individuals living in the United States of America. The theology is involved in Latino’s way of living and engages in faithful reflection about their relationship with God. Latino theology upholds characteristics such as unfolding the ideological and racial notions of Anglo theological theories and examining situations of social exclusions and poverty in the Latinos. Also, Latino theology adheres to certain standards of religious contexts. The specific characteristics of Hispanic Christianity or religious traditions include the celebration of the homeland patrol saint through dedicated religious festivals. Hispanic Christianity believes Latinos or Hispanics can be of any ethnicity, race, or ancestry. Over 60% of Hispanics identify as Catholics (Aponte and Miguel 10). Hispanic Christianity is different from Christianity of mainstream America because they have a crucifix and other objects for worship in their homes. Besides, the Hispanics identify themselves as Roman Catholics and celebrate the saints from their origins.

Contribution of Latino Theology to Christianity

The main contribution of Latino theology to Christianity is the involvement of all Christians to reflect their relationship with God. Latino theology also applies to an individual’s relationship with others in ecclesial incidences. This application is a direct contribution to Christianity because the foundations of Christianity are human relations. Love is a pillar that holds a person’s relationship with others and is a vital part of Latino theology.

Importance of Africa in Understanding Latino Theology

The African nation is significant for understanding Latino theology because most North African countries, such as Egypt, had a core background in explaining the relationship between God and human beings. The African traditional beliefs play a crucial role in Hispanic Christianity as they try to imitate the behavior of offering sacrifices to necessitate their relation with God and the Spirit of protection against harm, evil, and prosperity. The Africans have sacred objects, which helped the Hispanic Christians to know the effectiveness and importance of holy things. Africans also try to conjoin Abraham’s religious practices with their traditional practices. Therefore, Hispanic Christianity incorporates the art, philosophy, and cultural-spiritual practices carried out by the Africans. Some of the African doctrines found in Hispanic culture include Baptists and Methodists. However, Christianity which is the main religion among Africans was the main factor that influenced the emergence of Hispanic Christianity.

Work Cited

Aponte, Edwin David, and Miguel A. De La Torre. Introducing Latinx Theologies. Orbis Books, 2020.

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