Inculturation

This compelling account of how Andean Christians have inculturated the Gospel and the challenges that confront them provides a real-world view of the urgent process of inculturation. In the context of pluri-cultural development of the church, this process is one that affirms that both culture and history are transformed by the Spirit of God. Inculturation surveys Andean culture and religious traditions, drawing from day-to-day experience in the transformation of education and social action, personal and communal life, spirituality, and the whole of Christian mission in today's world. It also discusses current evangelization trends worldwide, examining negative as well as positive examples of inculturation, and offers guidelines for future efforts. With this groundbreaking book Diego Irarrazaval pushes the contours and frontiers of conventional understandings of inculturation. This valuable synthesis goes beyond the particularity of the Andean world to provoke important new questions and insights for the whole world Church in a globalized and postmodern context. --Stephen P. Judd, MM Diego Irarrazaval's refreshing and compelling reflections, rooted in decades of practical experience in the Altiplano, center on the processes of inculturation from below that operate in the everyday activities, beliefs, and celebrations of ordinary people of faith. This stimulating contribution to current debates points to some dangerous pastoral pitfalls while it enhances appreciation for what has been called 'the Catholic wisdom of the common people.' --Thomas Bamat, Executive Director, Life and Peace Institute Diego Irarrazaval is Director of the Institute for Aymaran Studies and Vice President of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT). He holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame, the Catholic University of Santiago, Chile, and the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. A member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Irarrazaval also serves as associate pastor, Parroquia de Chucuito in Puno, Peru.