An Interview with the Editor: Good News from Latin America
This month, we’re excited to feature Good News from Latin America: Reflections in Honor of John Stott, edited by Leader Studies scholar Nelson R. Morales Fredes and published by Langham Publishing in June.[1]
Last week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Morales Fredes about the book, his hopes for what readers will take away, and his thoughts on the future of Latin American theology.
SL: Dr. Morales Fredes, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us. As editor and contributor, what do you hope readers gain from this book? What would you like them to learn or takeaway?
NMF: There are multiple reasons that moved us to write the book, and these are reflected in its content. However, if there’s one central idea I want readers to grasp, it’s that the gospel is dynamic. Its transforming power transcends borders and adapts to the realities in which it takes root. This is what happens with Latin America. The gospel arrived here centuries ago, and over time, it has developed its own unique characteristics. While maintaining its essence, it has also developed distinct Latin American traits. Hence, the title, Good News from Latin America. We want people to understand that the gospel is not just something brought to a place; it is also something that emerges from the place. Once the gospel arrived, it bloomed, and from there, it has developed its own colors. This is something we aim to reflect in the book.
SL: Who is the intended audience for the book? Who is the intended audience for your chapter?
NMF: The book has an interesting literary journey. It was originally written and published in Spanish. So, its original intended audience was Spanish-speaking people in churches, pastors, seminary students, both men and women. But once the book was translated into English, the rhetorical effect shifted because the audience’s perceptions are different. I believe that English-speaking readers will be those who want to learn about Latin America from those within the region. My hope is that they get to know us and our realities a bit more.
In my chapter, I address those bringing new waves of evangelization. First, to ensure they don’t assume they’re the first to bring the gospel here– that’s simply not true. Second, to remind us that the evangelistic discourse is built upon the audience’s reality. In the chapter, I show how there has been a formation of [theological] ideas since the time of the conquest. Therefore, when someone presents God as an angry God, ready to punish, they’re tapping into an image of God that people already hold. Overlooking these nuances could negatively impact their evangelism strategy, leading to “conversions” driven by fear rather than a true understanding of the gospel.
For the reader coming from outside Latin America, the chapter offers an opportunity to understand the dominant images of God in the region and how ministries should avoid sending confusing messages. Moreover, it’s possible readers will recognize similar phenomena in their own contexts– something they may not have noticed or given due importance to before.
SL: As we observe shifts in the Latin American theological landscape, including generational and organizational changes, what are your thoughts on the future of Latin American theology?
NMF: We’re currently working on a second project that emerged after the passing of Dr. René Padilla, a theological giant. We thought about the first book produced by the Latin American Theological Fellowship, which focused on debates around Scripture. 50 years later, we’re asking, “What are the current debates around Scripture in Latin America?” While some remain, many have evolved, and that’s the project’s focus.
What happens with theology is something very dynamic. New voices emerge as well as new mediums of communication. When the FTL began, print was the primary medium, with radio, which was very local in its reach. Today, social media allows communication across borders without limitations. As a result, the number of Latin Americans engaging in theological reflection has increased significantly, along with the diversity and quality of those reflections.
We’re witnessing a generational shift, with many talented young theologians on the rise. So, there is hope. But we must nurture these new voices, ensuring they grow into well-informed theologians. Because in the past, our giants studied and read rigorously, but sometimes, the new generation seems reluctant to embrace the sacrifices that come with deep reading and study. This is our challenge. Looking ahead, the spaces for reflection are there. The doubt I have is, on one hand, the quality and depth of the reflection, and, on the other, its atomization. That is, when reflection is done in silos without significant dialogue among theological communities, resulting in the creation of echo chambers. This often happens on social media.
Fortunately, there are spaces of exchange like the FTL, COMIBAM –which brings together mission thinkers–and the CLADES, which could help counteract the dangers of these echo chambers.
SL: Dr. Morales, you mentioned that the Langham group is working on other projects. Can you tell us about the next one and when can we expect it?
NMF: Our next project is titled Del debate contemporáneo al conflicto de las interpretaciones, which honors the legacy of René Padilla. We’re currently in the final stages of editing and hope to be in talks with the publishing house by the end of the year to discuss its publication.
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We’d like to conclude with a quote from Dr. Morales’ chapter:
“God the Father did not make a mistake with Latin America. He has spoken and acted in and through his daughters and sons for centuries in our lands. He will continue to do so.”
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Nelson R. Morales Fredes is dean and professor of Bible and Biblical Exegesis at the Central American Theological Seminary (SETECA) in Guatemala. Originally from Chile, he has lived, studied, and taught in Guatemala since 1993. A recipient of the Leader Studies scholarship, he earned a PhD in Theological Studies/New Testament from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois, USA.
Good News from Latin America: Reflections in Honor of John Stott is available for purchase here.
[1] The edited volume was originally published in Spanish under the title Buenas nuevas desde América Latina: Reflexiones en honor a John Stott by Ediciones Puma in 2021.