Catholicism, Social Control, and Modernization in Latin America is a book that investigates the evolution of the catholic church in Latin America from a sociology point of view. It explores the cultural changes in the Latin American communities, as well as how the Church had changed through the years in the twentieth century. The sociology perspective allows the reader to appreciate the peoples of the time and the magnitude of the changes that the Church has made throughout its time in Latin America. This book is 172 pages long. I consider this a valuable source for my research since it offers general view of the structure of Latin
American catholic society. Since this is not the sole source I will base my research upon, it will be a good aid
This source is very valuable to a historian as it demonstrates a change of attitude of those within the Church. This may be as a result of reformers such as Martin Luther who advocated a need for change with the Church due to the abundant abuses such as the ordination of clerics. This is significant as it gives credibility to the argument that the Catholic Church was in need of
His central aim is not just to provide one example of a legitimate, contextual (Hispanic) perspective. He also is eager to show that embracing different theological perspectives from around the globe is a necessary and unavoidable aspect of the church’s catholicity. González makes his case in the introduction.
Additionally, Davis’s monograph explores detailed information regarding the shift of many people at the time from Catholicism to Protestantism, which is extremely important to the
Latin America represents 1/10 of the world's population, and geographically can be located from the land extensions of Mexico, until the Patagonia at Argentina. Some of the most relevant elements of today's culture in Latin America are; Religion, Values, Attitudes, Social structure, Social stratification, Language and Gift-giving hospitality. The predominant religion throughout history in Latin America has been Catholicism. From big cities to small villages, churches, basilicas, and cathedrals are found. Catholicism left its mark, from customs and values to architecture and art. During many years in many countries the Catholic Church had power over all civil institutions, education, and law. Nowadays religion
Paragraph 3 – Attack on the era of Reformations and Protestantism. Plate 4.7 “decay of taste”. Difference in Church styles.
In the final resolution concerning religion, Chicanas declare, “Revolutionary change of [the] Catholic Church or for it to get out of the way.”
One important indicator on the Catholic Church’s stance on Liberation Theology and general social activism in Latin America will be to see if Archbishop Oscar Romero is accepted into sainthood. The iconic and controversial religious leader worked tirelessly to help the lower-class in El Salvador. His teachings and beliefs that the marginalized peasants should be treated justly made him a living legend among his countrymen and isolated him from the nation’s corrupt elites. Although he never specifically condoned violence, his sermons played no small part in fomenting a bloody peasant uprising and civil war that raged for over a decade. In the last few years, a strong effort has been made to canonize Romero. Although he is revered not only in his own country but throughout the world, there exist a few issues that could possibly preclude him for becoming a saint. He is still strongly disliked by the vast majority of the wealthy and powerful ruling class of El Salvador, he, indirectly and inadvertently, helped bring about a violent conflict that ravaged his nation and, perhaps most importantly, his canonization may appear to be a carte blanche validation of Liberation Theology and the Marxist uprisings that were often associated with the movement. The canonization of Oscar Romero will redefine the seminal ideal of a modern-day saint and could quite
Gonzalez also explains how he feels like there have been many ‘macroevents’ and ‘macroformations’ that are going on now in the 20th century, which can be tied back to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. He talks about how history has shaped where the Hispanic culture is today, and how that ties into how they view theology and the Word.
Latin-American Pentecostal Orthopathos Samuel Solivan introduces the concept of Orthopathy as a driving force behind Pentecostal spread in Latin America. He defines Orthopathy as the understanding of theology as the proper relationship between correct belief (orthodoxy) and proper ethics or action (praxis) that allows transformative work to flow from the character of the pathos found in God, who by experiencing suffering is able to offer liberation from it. The North American enlightenment and modernist ideals caused a strong emphasis on reason in the Christian faith. More specifically, emphasis on formulating rational defenses and understanding of the Christian faith became central to living out the Christian Faith.
The period of Roman time between the 5th and 15th century is known as the middle ages, this certain period in time involved the fall of the Roman Empire and the evolution of the renaissance period. The renaissance was a time of rebirth during which massive changes occurred which would subsequently impact the Catholic Church. This later period is known as the Reformation. The Reformation was quite the violent time period in Europe. In the wars of religion, family members were often in conflict. Both the Protestants and Catholics thought they were a hundred percent correct and that the other religion was part of the 'devil's work'. There were many influential people in relation to the Reformation, one of them being Martin Luther. This essay
The Protestantism had spread in Latin America in the past due to the fact of various discrepancies within the Catholic Religion. For instance, in 1980’s, the Guatemalan’s had begun to change their beliefs and lean more to the
Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity, Volume I: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation. Second Edi. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2010.
Towards the end of the Middle Ages and into the duration of the Renaissance, the Medieval Church’s social and political power dwindled. Centuries prior the Catholic Church gained a surplus of control, largely due to the stability it maintained during the chaotic breakdown of the Western Roman Empire . Yet toward the end of the Middle Ages the Church set in motion factors that would ultimately lead to its downfall as the definitive figure of authority. However, despite political and social controversy surrounding the church, the institutions it established cleared a path for a new way of thinking, shaping society in an enduring way.
The renaissance and the reformation were two of the most significant changes in history that has shaped our world today. Both of these great time periods are strikingly similar in some ways and totally different in others. This is because the renaissance was a change from religion to humanism whether it is in art or literature; it is where the individual began to matter. However, the reformation was,” in a nutshell,” a way to reform the church and even more so to form the way our society is today. The first half of this paper will view the drop in faith, the economic powers, and the artistic and literary changes during the renaissance, while the second half will view the progresses and changes the church makes during the reformation.
James Delaney said “a major influence on social, moral, and political life at the time was the church.” (Delaney). This quote relates to the time