The History and Politics of Latin American Theology, Volume 3

The History and Politics of Latin American Theology explores the contribution of major Latin American theologians to contemporary politics. Within the Latin American context, there has been a rediscovery of a fluid and sometimes contradictory relationship between the practice of religion and the practice of politics. Those with religious belief, living in that context, were forced to respond to a crisis in politics, whereby their own beliefs, practices, and a way
of life were pushed to the limit by human rights violations and absolutist forms of government. Responses varied widely - from the confrontation against the state in Chile to the dissenting silence in Argentina.
The first volume deals with the complex roots of liberation and the issue of theological generations and the second volume explores the progression of Latin American theologians through their involvement in social movements and the relation between the Church and civil society, as society has changed and the Christian Church becomes less central within that society. This third volume
explores issues related to the periphery where liberation theology has always found its niche and inspiration. Instead of dealing with individual theologians it returns to some of the unfinished theological themes of Latin American theology that are central to the ongoing development of Latin American theology for the twenty-first century. Those themes include: a biblical interpretation
of the Gospel text at the periphery, models of centre/periphery, inter-faith dialogue with other religions and with Latin American Pentecostalism, poverty and consumerism, contemporary political activism and theological advocacy.

Mario I. Aguilar was born in Chile and is Professor of Religion and Politics, and Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics, at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He has published extensively on the history, theology and role of churches in Latin America and Africa as well as on the contribution of the social sciences to theology and biblical studies. This is the third and final of his three volumes on the History and Politics of Latin American Theology, for SCM Press.