Re-membering the Reign of God: The Decolonial Witness of El Salvador's Church of the Poor

Re-membering the Reign of God explores the decolonial evolution of El Salvador's ecclesial base communities (CEBs) and their witness as a rich locus for decolonizing theology and challenging the whole church to join the church of the poor in its prophetic praxis of decolonial solidarity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 394 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2024
Publisher: Lexington Books

An historically colonial church becoming the "church of the poor" in a world marked by pervasive and persistent coloniality is a significant and complex phenomenon that requires careful reflection and analysis. Re-membering the Reign of God: The Decolonial Evolution of El Salvador's Ecclesial Base Communities (CEBs) explores this question through historical and theological perspectives, highlighting the CEBs' witness as a valuable resource for decolonizing theology and inspiring the entire church to engage in decolonial solidarity.

The CEBs emerged in El Salvador in the 1970s as a response to the country's political and social unrest, particularly the civil war that lasted from 1980 to 1992. They were founded by laypeople and were characterized by their commitment to social justice, human rights, and the liberation of the poor. Over time, the CEBs have become a significant force in El Salvador's ecclesial landscape, with over 1,000 communities across the country.

One of the key aspects of the CEBs' witness is their emphasis on the Reign of God. They believe that God's kingdom is present in the world and that it is a kingdom of justice, peace, and love. They work to bring about this kingdom through their prophetic praxis, which involves working with the poor and marginalized to address their needs and to challenge the structures of oppression that perpetuate their poverty.

The CEBs' witness has been shaped by their experience of coloniality. El Salvador was a colony of Spain for over 300 years, and the legacy of colonialism is still evident in the country's social, economic, and political structures. The CEBs have faced many challenges as a result of their colonial past, including discrimination, violence, and poverty.

Despite these challenges, the CEBs have remained committed to their mission of bringing about the Reign of God. They have developed a unique form of ecclesial base community that is characterized by its participatory and democratic nature. The CEBs are led by laypeople who are elected by the community and who work together to address the needs of the community.

One of the key aspects of the CEBs' witness is their emphasis on the importance of solidarity. They believe that the church of the poor is not just a theoretical concept but a practical reality that requires the entire church to be involved. They work to build relationships with other churches and organizations that are working for social justice and to collaborate with them to address the root causes of poverty.

The CEBs' witness has also been shaped by their prophetic hope. They believe that God is calling the church to be a prophetic voice in the world and to work for the transformation of society. They have been involved in a number of social and political movements, including the struggle for land reform, the fight against corruption, and the promotion of human rights.

However, the CEBs' witness has also faced challenges. Some have criticized the CEBs for their emphasis on the poor and for their lack of attention to other issues, such as gender equality and environmental sustainability. Others have argued that the CEBs' approach to social justice is too simplistic and that it does not address the root causes of poverty.

In response to these challenges, the CEBs have continued to develop their theology and practice. They have developed a theology of liberation that emphasizes the importance of human dignity and the need to address the structural causes of poverty. They have also developed a practice of accompaniment that involves working with the poor and marginalized to address their needs and to support them in their struggles.

One of the key aspects of the CEBs' theology of liberation is their emphasis on the importance of the poor. They believe that the poor are the primary agents of change in the world and that they have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. They work to challenge the structures of oppression that perpetuate their poverty and to promote their rights and freedoms.

The CEBs' practice of accompaniment is also important. They work with the poor and marginalized to address their needs and to support them in their struggles. They provide food, shelter, and medical care, and they work to build relationships with them that are based on trust and respect.

In conclusion, an historically colonial church becoming the "church of the poor" in a world marked by pervasive and persistent coloniality is a significant and complex phenomenon that requires careful reflection and analysis. Re-membering the Reign of God: The Decolonial Evolution of El Salvador's Ecclesial Base Communities (CEBs) provides a valuable resource for decolonizing theology and inspiring the entire church to engage in decolonial solidarity. The CEBs' witness is characterized by their emphasis on the Reign of God, their participatory and democratic nature, their emphasis on solidarity, and their prophetic hope. While the CEBs have faced many challenges, they have continued to develop their theology and practice and to be a powerful force for social justice and change in El Salvador and beyond.

Weight: 608g
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793618979