A Critical Introduction to Religion in the Americas argues that we cannot understand religion in the Americas without understanding its marginalized communities. Despite frequently voiced doubts among religious studies scholars, Gonzalez makes the case that theology, and particularly liberation theology, is still useful, but must be reframed to attend to the ways in which religion is actually experienced on the ground. By drawing on a combination of historical and ethnographic sources, Gonzalez shows how theology can be reframed to better speak to the concerns of both religious studies and the real people the theologians' work is meant to represent.
“A Critical Introduction to Religion in the Americas contributes to a lively conversation within liberation theologies about intellectual and social communities of accountability. Gonzalez is a strong young voice in these discussions; her work will be noticed, read, and debated. This book is a must-read for every student of religion.”
— Margaret R. Miles, Dean of the Graduate Theological Union, University of California Berkeley
Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado’s research and teaching interests include Latino/a, Latin American, and feminist theologies, as well as interdisciplinary work in Afro-Caribbean Studies. She is the author of Afro-Cuban Theology: Religion, Race, Culture and Identity (2006); Created in God’s Image: An Introduction to Feminist Theological Anthropology (2007); Embracing Latina Spirituality: A Woman’s Perspective (2009); Caribbean Religious History (co-authored with Ennis Edmonds, 2010); and Shopping: Christian Explorations of Daily Living (2010).
