The Rebirth Of Latin America Summary

The journey of Christianity in Latin America from its inception to modern times has been an interesting phenomenon to observe. Todd Hartch’s book, The Rebirth of Latin American Christianity, outlines this rebirth and attempts to explain the causal mechanisms behind the event. He writes, “the history of Christianity in Latin America since 1950 defied expectations not so much because there was a rebirth of Christianity, but because of how that rebirth occurred” (Hartch 2014). This paper will be analyzing this rebirth since 1950, and discussing why the rebirth specifically occurred in Latin America because of its distinct nature. First I will introduce the concept of the rebirth of Christianity in Latin America and explain how the Catholic crisis made room for Protestantism in Latin America. I will then outline the five aspects of the Christian rebirth and explain the factors involved and how
From there I will explain how the economic development, industrialization, and urbanization of Latin America did not lead to greater secularization in the region because of the strength and all-encompassing nature of this rebirth. Several religious groups and organizations associated with this rebirth also played a large role, and I will outline the impact they have had on the future of the Christian movement in Latin America. Finally, I will discuss Hartch’s analysis of the new phenomenon of Universal Christianity and how I perceive it’s affect on the trajectory and influence Latin America has had on the global arena. Before I go deeper into my discussion of the rebirth of Latin American Christianity since the 1950’s, I will first explain the nuts and bolt of the rebirth, and the factors of the Catholic “crisis” that paved the way for this rebirth. Hartch begins his narrative by first explaining the religious