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

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

Chapter 1:

In the first chapter Garcia-Johnson discusses the differences between practical theology and traditional theology. He contends that practical theology is more ecclesial, action driven and contextually based and that there needs to be a linking together of faith with action especially among the Latin American poor communities who desperately need to know God’s love. He suggests that there needs to be a paradigm shift when people theologize by making coupling the Gospel with action, and action which is contextually relevant to the culture it is in – which in many Latin American cultures this is manifest in the effort of giving “voice to the voiceless” (pg.17) and creating an introduction of a new type of lifestyle for the poor.

Chapter 2:

Garcia-Johnson begins chapter two by explaining further how since the method of Latino methodology is practically based, the theology also is practical based looking at religious practices of the people. He details the history behind Latino theology, how it has its roots in liberation theology and then goes into the different people who played a pivotal role in thrusting the socio-theological development including the founders, builders and shapers. He also stands along with Robert Schreiter’s point of view saying that Latino theology has “Been developing out of a modern perception of culture” (pg. 48). Ultimately, he emphasizes how diverse the Latino culture really is and as a result there needs to be a shift to a postmodern cultural Latino theology that addresses the fact that the Latino culture is very relational in nature to get past the diversity issue. The goal is that Latino theology would be transformational so that it is culturally relevant in witnessing about Jesus while by also including the Spirit of Jesus.

Chapter 3:

In chapter three Garcia-Johnson addresses Pentecost and the cross. He begins by talking about the role Pentecost played in shaping Christian experience and thought, about how it points to “cultural creation” because that is when multiracial communities were developed (81). He then moves on to cruciformity which he basically argues is the practical part of Pentecost or in other words, living out the Pentecost experience by conforming to Jesus crucified. Garcia-Johnson argues the importance of the cross in shaping Christian communities that they would be incarnational and revolutionary. He later goes on to argue that these two concepts of Pentecost and Cruciformity should go hand in hand as “cruciformity is living life subversively and domestically in culture” (95).

Chapter 4:

Garcia-Johnson arranges the last chapter of his book around a post-modern approach to Latino community in the future. He divides this concept into three theological and cultural categories: 1) Mestizaje – the point of intersection that deals with the identity of the Latino/a Christian community. 2)accompaniment – this element highly emphasizes the role of relationships among those in Latino communities, specifically in regards to identity and 3) manana eschatology – this element encompasses the Latino Christian community that is focused on what the Word says about the future of God while making it applicable to modern day context. It should be noted that this element is driven by the role of the Holy Spirit. The end resulting combination of these three categories which according to Garcia-Johnson is the goal, results in “the Latino ecclesiological version of Christian communities of the Spirit” (98).