Editor: Dr Jonathan Ingleby
Does Latin America have an equivalent saying to the Latin tag about Africa: ex Africa semper aliquid novi (‘there’s always something new coming out of Africa’)? It ought to. Or perhaps a better motto for the (sub) continent might be ‘never a dull moment’.
It has been a stimulating experience editing this edition of Encounters which reflects, I would like to claim, the variety and excitement of the place, characteristics which are even more magnified when it comes to mission.
There are a couple of fascinating regional studies: Wilma Davies tackles the complex subject of the nature of religious change, focusing especially on Argentina, and Daniel Kirk looks at the strange genesis of Protestantism in Mexico.
Paul Davies writes powerfully about what he calls ‘identity’ and ‘identification’ drawing on the recent history of Protestantism continent-wide and looking for a ‘middle way’ which neither alienates us from the context nor ignores our origins.
Neil Rees asks the hard questions about the future of Latin American mission and Jonathan Rowe tackles the even wider subject of the true nature of partnership and the accountability that goes with it. Jonathan’s article is a real blockbuster. He writes out of a Latin background – he works in Spain – but his article deals with something that is important for us all in mission.
Add to all this an article looking at the Latin American writings of Elizabeth Elliot and two reviews of thoroughly challenging books about Latin America and there is something to keep everybody happy!
Article 1: Kairos moments and cultural connections as factors in religious change in Argentina.
(Wilma Davies, 2744 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Article 2: Dancing With Elephants: Accountability in Cross-Cultural Christian Partnerships.
(Jonathan Rowe, 5631 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Article 3: The Search for a Creative Response to Obstacles to the Growth of Mission out of Latin America.
(Neil Rees, 3206 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Article 4: Mysterious Way: Protestant Reformation in Nineteenth Century Mexico.
(Daniel Kirk, 2583 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Article 5: Identity and Identification: The Latin American Protestant Church.
(Paul Davies, 2552 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Article 6: Missionary success and failure: Elizabeth Elliot’s encounter with Latin America and the books she wrote about it.
(Dr Jonathan Ingleby, 1343 words) PDF -:- Abstract and Discussion
Book Review 1: Changing Tides: Latin America & World Mission Today.
(By Samuel Escobar; Orbis)
Book Review 2 : God’s Economy: Biblical Studies from Latin America.
(Editors Ross and Gloria Kinsler; Orbis
Encounters Mission Journal 