Religious Cross-currents In South America

One result of Spanish conquest and colonization in South America was a legacy of continuing power and privilege for the Roman Catholic Church.

Throughout succeeding centuries Catholicism has dominated the religious scene. Brazil, for example, has been described as the world's number one Roman Catholic nation, claiming more than 120 million nominal adherents; although it is admitted that barely one tenth of these are regular church goers.

However, the near monopoly once enjoyed by Catholicism in Latin America has been remarkably challenged during the past three or four decades; mainly by evangelical groups which advocate strict adherence to the Bible and personal commitment to Christ as Saviour.

Within the Catholic Church itself there have emerged radical movements led by priests who deplored the great chasm between a wealthy minority and the underprivileged masses of the population. Their so called "liberal theology" was designed to appeal to the general populace, offering hope of improved economic conditions. Many of the Catholic clergy became involved in political leadership to further this end.

Pope John Paul II considers, however, that Catholic clergy should be engaged in pastoral rather than political activities. Since he became Pope in 1978 therefore he has resisted the "Marxist tinged liberal theology" advocated by many Latin American clergy. He has worked also to curb the political activities of clergy, as when he appointed a new archbishop in North East Brazil to replace a human rights activist. The new archbishop expelled five priests from his archdiocese because of their "progressive" views. One of the five tried to continue with his loyally supportive congregation, holding services in the open air after being excluded from the church building; but he was then officially suspended.

One evangelical leader has commented that the people were hungry for more than just food. The possibility of economic improvement did not meet a deeply felt spiritual need. This doubtless lay behind the sensational explosion of evangelical activity in many South American countries, and the rapid build-up of Protestant churches. Between 1930 and 1960 the number of Protestants

multiplied six-fold to fifteen millions. During the next two decades it almost trebled to about forty-five millions. Most of this growth represents the development of evangelical groups, and there can be no doubt that there has been a significant work of God in the spiritual enlightenment of millions. What welcome transformation from the dark uncertainty and error of Roman Catholicism to the light and assurance of salvation through an understanding and acceptance of the gospel!

Political groups have not been slow to realize the value of wooing the Protestant vote. In Guatemala, where protestantism now claims thirty per cent of the population, a leading evangelical recently gained the Presidency. Last year in Peru a Catholic became President, but a Baptist was voted in as Vice-President. We should note well the point that such political involvement is not supported by scriptural principle. Welcome indeed the wide impact of the gospel of salvation in Latin America. But God wills that people should not only be saved from divine judgement for sin, but also come to the full knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). Speaking about His disciples, the Lord Jesus prayed, "I have given them Thy Word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world ... Sanctify them in the truth: Thy word is truth" (John 17:14,17). The world has not changed its basic attitudes. How then can disciples of Christ who loyally fulfil the principles of Scripture expect to be successfully involved in the world's politics? For these are governed by the expedients of this world, not by the principles of Christ. Our prayer would be that many who have come to know Him as Saviour in Latin America may be guided by the Holy Spirit into all the truth: truth not only regarding Christian attitudes to the world and its politics, but in relation to all else about which the Master's will has been revealed in Scripture.

Another feature of the South American religious scene has been the emergence during the past thirty years of African rooted spirit cults. These have been most noticeable in Brazil, but have spread also into Argentina. Rather strangely the Catholic Church has tended to allow its nominal adherents to join in what have become popular non-Christian rites. By contrast the burgeoning evangelical movements have vigorously exposed the spirit cults for what they are, and prohibited their members from any part of the cultist ceremonies. This clear-cut policy has of course reflected on the Catholic Church, now perceived as having condoned the evil cults by a tolerant attitude towards them.

Perhaps the exciting developments in Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East have tended to monopolize the attention of the Christian public these few years past. This reminder of significant developments in Latin America may serve to stimulate prayer for God's further working in that formerly benighted continent.

unknown | Aug 1991
Focus