Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 28:3 (Summer 2014)
Article: Book Review: "Latina Evangélicas" By Loida I. Martell-Otero, Zaida Maldonado Pérez, and Elizabeth Conde-Frazier (Cascade, 2013)
Author: Beth M. Stovell

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Book Review: Latina Evangélicas By Loida I. Martell-Otero, Zaida Maldonado Pérez, and Elizabeth Conde-Frazier (Cascade, 2013)

Beth M. Stovell

Beth M. Stovell is Assistant Professor of Old Testamant at Ambrose Seminary in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Beth has authored Mapping Metaphorical Discourse in the Fourth Gospel: John’s Eternal King (Brill) and is currently writing a book on interpreting biblical language (InterVarsity, coauthored with Stanley E. Porter) as well as a two-part commentary on the Minor Prophets (Zondervan).

In Latina Evangélicas, three Latina theologians provide new insight into the often marginalized voices of Protestant Latinas. This book speaks primarily to scholars, but has valuable content for a wider audience of students and pastors as well.

In chapter 1, Loida Martell-Otero highlights the key tenets of evangélica theology discussed throughout the book, noting that the Holy Spirit is essential to evangélica theology, especially the experience of the presence of the Holy Spirit in its formulation and implementation. In chapter 2, all three editors of the volume contribute on the role of the Holy Spirit. Within evangélica theology, the Holy Spirit “saves, heals, affirms, calls, empowers, and transforms persons and communities” (9). They also see the Holy Spirit impacting issues of power and justice as well as spirituality, creating “midwives to hope” (16).

A second key topic is the emphasis of soteriology in evangélica theology. Explored in chapter 3 by Martell-Otero, salvation is understood as linked to Christology and experienced uniquely in evangélica theology in Scripture, testimonios (witnessing), and coritos (musical refrains). Rather than being only transcendent, salvation is found in lo cotidiano (the everyday experiences of the poor and voiceless) and grounded in experience of the Trinity.

The vision of the Trinity in evangélica theology, described in chapter 4 by Zaida Maldonado Pérez, focuses on the Trinity’s role in three lived realities: la familia (family), la comunidad (community), and la presencia (God’s presence in the spaces of the everyday). In this view, the work of the Trinity moves toward a care for the other. Through this care, the concept of familia (family) is reconstituted in light of the Trinity.

In chapters 5 and 6, Elizabeth Conde-Frazier focuses on the roles of Scripture and the church in evangélica theology. Chapter 5 highlights the centrality of Scripture, not because of a priori theological propositions, but because of its practical impact on lived realities, especially among the poor and voiceless. In chapter 6, Conde-Frazier describes how evangélica t...

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