Comunidades de Jubileo: Las Iglesias Evangelicas en el Nuevo Milenio. - Review - book review

Israel Batista, Comunidades de Jubileo: Las Iglesias Evangelicas en el Nuevo Milenio, Quito, Ediciones Consejo Latinamericano de Iglesias, 2000, 62pp.

These collected essays by the new general secretary of the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI) offer a unique and systematic perspective on the challenge facing the churches in the Latin American context. The churches which make up CLAI live in a predominantly Catholic environment, with the majority of Protestants being Pentecostal or other groups not affiliated with the conciliar movement. But ecumenically engaged Pentecostal communities are CLAI's largest constituency, followed by Lutherans, and this too gives a unique dimension to CLAI's role as a "bridge" between diverse confessions and communities.

The first essay in the book, presented to the Latin American Theological Fraternity, spells out the urgency for evangelicals -- and for Latin America this means all Protestants -- to seek a unity and identity that is not negative, simply defined "over against" Catholicism. For this he holds up the vision of koinonia, drawing on the WCC Faith and Order text The Nature and Purpose of the Church. And he challenges the churches, in a divided world, to be communities of moral formation, a communion of local churches united in the Holy Spirit.

The second chapter deepens his view of missionary spirituality for the evangelical churches. He presents the changing context of globalization, the importance of seeing the practical and world-oriented character of Christian mysticism, the centrality of the cross, and the dynamics of conversion and discernment in the missionary spirit. He illustrates his vision of spirituality with a variety of biblical images and stories.

The third chapter outlines how the Christian mission remains permanently relevant by ever adapting to the changing world. The developments in globalization, the emergence of the communications and information revolution, the reduction of the role of the state over against financial forces, and the decline of comprehensive ideologies over against concrete local concerns -- all set the stage for a new response in the church's mission. In this context he lays out a "jubilee" approach to mission, taking account of evangelical concerns related to the poor, indigenous peoples, women and youth.

The fourth chapter spells out, in more detail, the content of the jubilee theme for evangelical churches in Latin America. Many themes -- the centrality of hope, restitution of goods and freedom, reconciliation, the formative character of the churches as ethical communities, holiness, solidarity -- are developed, with examples given from various contexts across the continent. The churches' response to the external debt crisis, the situations of violence and insecurity, and government corruption is also developed. He provides some specific suggestions for local communities in their common mission.

The fifth chapter spells out the effects of globalization in six Latin American communities, and suggests how the churches can respond. In outlining the negative effects of globalization he notes the resources which an alternative Christian vision of reality can bring to the alternative process of humanization. He spells out in systematic detail the process of change, for example, from the cold war to a monopolar world, and from enlightenment rationalism to subjectivism and emotionalism. He articulates how a Christian culture of peace, of life, of solidarity can be responsive to and helpful for this context.

Building on the WCC text Costly Unity Batista articulates, in response to the myriad challenges facing his continent, a vision of the churches as custodians of a culture of solidarity and as communities of love. The volume provides the churches with both challenges and resources for their future reflection -- and action.

Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC, is associate director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, USA.

COPYRIGHT 2001 World Council of Churches
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group