Brown Church

Robert Chao Romero
Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity

Brown Church

Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity

by Robert Chao Romero

Brown Church
PAPERBACK
  • Length: 248 pages
  • Published: May 26, 2020
  •  In stock
  • ISBN: 978-0-8308-5285-7
  • Item Code: 5285
  • Case Quantity: 40
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Interest in and awareness of the demand for social justice as an outworking of the Christian faith is growing. But it is not new.

For five hundred years, Latina/o culture and identity have been shaped by their challenges to the religious, socio-economic, and political status quo, whether in opposition to Spanish colonialism, Latin American dictatorships, US imperialism in Central America, the oppression of farmworkers, or the current exploitation of undocumented immigrants. Christianity has played a significant role in that movement at every stage.

Robert Chao Romero, the son of a Mexican father and a Chinese immigrant mother, explores the history and theology of what he terms the "Brown Church." Romero considers how this movement has responded to these and other injustices throughout its history by appealing to the belief that God's vision for redemption includes not only heavenly promises but also the transformation of every aspect of our lives and the world. Walking through this history of activism and faith, readers will discover that Latina/o Christians have a heart after God's own.

"While it focuses on the Brown Church and presents a dramatic and engaging picture of Brown experience and theology, this book is about much more than the Brown Church. It is about church, gospel, truth, and justice. It is about me who is Brown but also about you who are not. This is an important read for any who wish to be faithful Christians in today's context."

Justo L. González, historian and theologian

"Brown Church is a truly significant book, filling a unique and critically important niche at this historic juncture. For emerging Latinx generations, this book offers consuelo y animo (comfort and inspiration)—a way to connect roots and wings. For scholars, activists, and church leaders, this book translates wisdom and integrates worlds, bringing us all together to a place of common understanding and mutual enrichment. As professor and pastor, I will use and recommend this book; it is a treasure."

Alexia Salvatierra, ecclesial faculty, Centro Latino and School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary

"As a historian, lawyer, and pastor, Dr. Chao Romero integrates disciplines to clearly argue that the Brown Church has played and will continue to play a critical role in Christianity. The Latina/o community has not only survived church- and state-sanctioned oppression and injustice, we are thriving in the midst of it. Latina/o churches' integrated understanding of the gospel is demonstrated in the way that our Spirit-filled worship is not separated from our Spirit-empowered pursuit of justice. Brown Church is a book not only for Latinas/os; it is a book for all Christians to grasp the power and depth of what the Brown Church offers Christians who seek to understand the whole gospel."

Sandra Maria Van Opstal, founding executive director of Chasing Justice
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