Christianity in Latin America

Book Description

Christianity in Latin America offers readers a profound exploration of how faith has shaped an entire continent across five centuries of complex history. Hans-Jürgen Prien draws from decades of firsthand research and teaching experience throughout Latin America to present a comprehensive examination of Christianity's evolution from colonial conquest to contemporary spiritual movements.

This extensive work traces the intricate relationship between religious belief and social transformation, examining how Christianity adapted to diverse cultural contexts while confronting challenges of exploitation, indigenous resistance, and political upheaval. Readers will discover how the Catholic Church established itself after the Council of Trent, the role of the Inquisition, and the rich tapestry of popular religious practices that emerged from cultural fusion.

The narrative extends beyond Catholicism to explore Protestant missions, immigrant churches, and the rise of Pentecostal movements, revealing the dynamic tensions and eventual cooperation between different Christian traditions. Prien addresses liberation theology's emergence, the impact of military dictatorships, and ongoing struggles for social justice within religious contexts.

Drawing from German scholarship previously unavailable in English, this handbook provides unique insights into how Christianity intersected with indigenous cultures, African traditions, and European colonial systems. The author's extensive fieldwork across nearly every Latin American country, combined with his academic expertise, creates an authoritative resource for understanding how spiritual movements respond to social conditions and cultural change.

This comprehensive study serves both scholars and general readers seeking to understand Christianity's complex legacy in shaping Latin American identity and social consciousness.