Pneumapraxis and Eschatological Urgency: A Survey of Latin American Pentecostal Theology and its Outworking

Abstract

The Pentecostal movement is altering the Latin American canvas. Throughout the continent Pentecostalism's manifestation for some critics reflect what Ronald A. Knox over half a century ago labeled pejoratively enthusiasm or ultrasupernaturalism. Contemporary theological thought in most circles is a result of the fusion of arduous critical reflection, scholarship, and the assimilation of a faith tradition. Catholicism in the new world continued in its Eurocentric Middle Ages cast of scholastic philosophy and its liturgical imposition of the Church's operative language, Latin. Mestizo identity was birthed in a malevolent context of exploitation and abuse. Protestant theology, unfortunately, has the potential of nurturing fatalism. The Pentecostal message exhorts an encounter with the resurrected Christ. The symbol of the empty cross proclaims life, victory, and hope for the believer. For centuries Latin Americans have lived as a conquered people because of colonialism and Catholicism. Keywords:Catholicism; colonialism; Latin Americans; Mestizo identity; Pentecostal movement; Pentecostalism; Protestant theology