Handbook of Latino/a Theologies

Latino/a theology is a way of thinking about God and spirituality from the perspective of Latino/a communities, which are very diverse in their backgrounds and experiences. Handbook for Latino/a Theologies emphasizes the importance of doing theology in a way that relates to the unique cultural contexts of these communities, challenging traditional theological ideas in the process.

This collection of thirty-four essays surveys how Latinos/as understand and do theology within those varied contexts. It gives attention to the history, nature, sources, and development of Latinos/as theological expressions within the U.S. and their contribution to the overall theological discourse and to the individual groups that gave rise to them. Part I of the handbook presents essays on many traditional topics in Christian theology representative both of the individual authors and various beliefs found in Latino/a communities. Part II focuses on trends and contextual issues within the overall Hispanic/Latino theological conversation.

The text is divided into two main parts: Thematic Essays and Contextual Essays. Thematic Essays delve into various theological topics such as God, Jesus, the Church, and more, all viewed through the lens of Latino/a experiences. Contextual Essays, on the other hand, explore issues like identity, social location, and the different Latino/a groups within the United States.

One important concept discussed in the text is "teología en conjunto," which means collaborative theology. It's about Latinos/as working together to understand their faith and culture better. The text also emphasizes the significance of cultural competence, which means respecting and understanding different cultures to foster effective communication and engagement.