Dr. Ismael Garcia

Caribbean Lutherans

History & Biography

“This groundbreaking study of the mission of the Lutheran Church in Puerto Rico makes two significant contributions, relevant also to the study of the mission work of other Christian denominations on the island. First, it combines traditional historiographical methods with postcolonial and postmodern methods, and exhaustively examines documents and other authoritative classical sources as well as stories, music, poetry, and other art forms that depict the struggle of resistance against prejudice and cultural assimilation. In so doing, it uplifts the significant contributions that marginal populations have made to the mission of the church. The second is the theological grounding of this historical analysis: Mission work has its beginning and end in God. It is a theology of radical inclusion that brings all of us to forward justice, peace, and love. This theocentric perspective makes it clear that the purpose of mission is not church growth nor the well-being of the denomination. We are all subjects and objects of that mission whose purpose ultimately is to announce and to be a sign of the Kingdom that calls us to overcome all obstacles that impede the formation of beloved communities.”

Luteranismo en el Caribe

History & Biography

“y objetos de esa misión cuya finalidad es, en última instancia, anunciar y ser signo del Reino que nos llama a superar todos los obstáculos que impiden la formación de comunidades amadas.”

Dr.