This work argues that Latina/o immigrant Charismatic Catholicism does not encourage passive hope for heavenly rewards but rather emphasizes active strategies for transforming the self and the world. This study responds to two major concerns in the field of religious studies: the concern that Pentecostal forms of Christianity emphasize an interior, feel-good religiosity that detracts from actions to transform circumstances; and how theologians might share the theological insights of marginalized communities that do not have native PhD-authorized theologians. This work applies an innovative method of generating theological insights based on ethnographic research. Specifically, it enumerates Latina/o immigrant Charismatic Catholic, or carismático, theological perspectives on sin, salvation, and conversion; it then applies the lenses of postcolonial studies and Pentecostal studies to reveal the myriad transformative strategies inherent to these theological perspectives. When theologizing sin, carismáticos identify sin based not upon a prescribed list of prohibited behaviors but rather upon discernment of whether any given behavior pulls one’s attention away from God. The theological perspective produces self-awareness, self-discipline, and moral self-transformation in many carismáticos. When theologizing salvation, carismáticos emphasize that the post-resurrection Jesus is a palpable, living presence who assists them in overcoming difficulties in their everyday lives. Befriending this all-powerful and deeply loving ally is a transformative strategy that provides the confidence and hope necessary for Latina/o immigrants to persevere in their struggles to thrive in their new, often-hostile homeland. When theologizing conversion, male carismáticos emphasize how conversion helps them to end their addictions, while female carismáticas emphasize that conversion transforms depression and sadness into joy. The transformations that conversion effects for carismáticos include increased self-esteem, moral self-improvement, and stronger familial relationships. Carismático religiosity also engenders transformation within the carismáticos’ communities. It inspires greater devotion to God and the Church, and as a result carismáticos provide their parishes with increased financial contributions and participation in ministries. Carismáticos also feel called to evangelize by manifesting God’s love, resulting in outreach assistance to people in their broader communities. This study provides an innovative methodological model that contributes both to ethnography and theology. The theological aspect of this method demonstrates that familiarity with a religion’s beliefs can provide insights regarding which doctrines a religious community downplays, and the significance of these lacunae. The ethnographic aspect of this method reveals the highly-varied theological perspectives that exist within a single religious community and under a single doctrine, a diversity that traditional, single-perspective approaches to writing theology can often obscure.

Last modified

• 02/26/2018

Creator

• Lynn Brigid Elizabeth Jencks

DOI

• https://doi.org/10.21985/N2NH43

Subject

• Religious Studies

Keyword

• Sin
• Charismatic Catholic
• Addiction
• Latina/o Immigrant
• Depression
• Conversion

Date created

• 2016-01-01

Resource type

• Dissertation

Rights statement

• In Copyright