The Mestizo/a Community of the Spirit

Description:
This work models a creative exercise in ecclesiology based on a Latino/a practical theology of the Spirit, which designs theological discourse based on its encounter with the Spirit in human culture. Hence, it is a theology appreciative of and attentive to the ""multiple matrices and intersections"" of the Spirit with cultures. Garca-Johnson offeres an appreciative and critical analysis of the uses of culture among Latino/a theologians, followed by the proposal for a postmodern Spirit-friendly cultural paradigm based on the narratives of the cross and the Pentecost. He develops a practical theology for a Latino/a postmodern ecclesiology based on three native Latino/a theological concepts: mestizaje, accompaniment, and maana eschatology. The resulting ecclesial construct-The Mestizo/a Community of Maana-reflects a transforming maana vision and models the visible cruciform community in which the transforming praxis and historical transcendence of the Christ-Spirit works from within. The work sets forth practical guidelines for implementation of the ecclesial construct in the urban context of devastated communities and offers suggestions for further development in Latino/a theology.

Endorsements:
""The most important theological questions at the turn of the twenty-first century are ecclesiological-what is it to 'be' and 'do' church? Oscar Garci-Johnson's provocative and critical Laino/a postmodern ecclesiology of the Spirit is an important and needed contribution to contemporary theological dialogue. The Mestizo Community of the Spirit is a must read for those interested in 'listening' to the emerging and creative Latino/a 'voices.'""
--Eldin Villafae
Professor of Christian Social Ethics and Founding Director, Urban Ministerial Education, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

""In this stunning and original theological work, Oscar Garci-Johnson dips deep into the flowing stream of the Latino/a community and finds there a new theological paradigm where a culture of the Spirit emerges. This is a culture where revelation and praxis come together and where cruciformity is not only a Christological praxis but is a transforming social ethic. . . . Pastors as well as theologians will soon have this book at the top of their'must read' book list.""
-Ray S. Anderson
Senior Professor of Theology and Ministry, Fuller Theological Seminary

""Garca-Johnson challenges the Latino/a church to become a mestizo/a community of maana by allowing the Spirit to guide it within the complexity, unpredictability, and randomness that is Latino culture in a postmodern world. He presents a contextualized Latino/a theology that recognizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in the community that believes in God's future. I am grateful to him for showing us how Latino/a churches can be committed communities of survival, hope, and belief.""
-Juan Martnez
Assistant Dean for the Hispanic Church Studies Department and Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies an...