Decolonizing Theology in Revolution

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

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2. Introduction

   • Ary Fernández-Albán

   Pages 1-11

3. Situating the Debates Between Worlds: Concerning the Socioeconomic, Political, and Ecclesial Contexts of Pre-revolutionary Cuba and the First Years of the Revolution

   • Ary Fernández-Albán

   Pages 13-42

4. Sergio Arce’s Theology in Revolution: Main Influences and Stages of Development

   • Ary Fernández-Albán

   Pages 43-79

5. Theology in Revolution: A Revolution in Theology

   • Ary Fernández-Albán

   Pages 81-118

6. Cuba and the Global Context Since the 1990s: New Challenges, Voices, and Theoretical Developments

   • Ary Fernández-Albán

   Pages 119-150

7. Sergio Arce’s Legacy and Inspiration to the Renewal of Theology Today

   • Ary Fernández-Albán

   Pages 151-171

8. Conclusion

   • Ary Fernández-Albán

   Pages 173-175

9. Back Matter

   Pages 177-208

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Drawing on decolonial perspective, this book provides a critical retrieval of Sergio Arce’s theological thought, and proposes it as a source of inspiration to continue renewing liberation theologies in Cuba and in Latin America. In light of current social contexts in Cuba and abroad, this volume examines the relevance of Arce’s theological legacy, identifying significant contributions and also key limitations. It presents a panoramic view of the historical contexts previous to Arce’s articulation of his theology, and also reconstructs the various stages of the development of his theology by reviewing his major writings from the early 1960s to the late 1990s. Bringing Arce into a conversation with other recognized Latin American liberation theologians, this book delivers a reconstruction of his major theological insights related to discourses and practices of liberation, highlighting important similarities and differences between their approaches.

• systematic theology
• decolonial
• revolution
• latinx
• castro
• latin american politics

“Emerging from the tumultuous context of the Cuban revolution, this book insightfully attests to the development of a vibrant—properly called—Cuban theological school. The author breaks stereotypical perceptions of Cuba as a closed border, and masterfully presents Sergio Arce’s refreshing theological outlook crafted during the times of the Cuban revolution. In close conversation with key Latin America liberation theologians and drawing on decolonial thinking, this book reimagines new avenues for continuing Arce’s theological revolution.” (Néstor Medina, PhD, Senior Editor of the Journal Perspectivas, Visiting Scholar at Emmanuel College Centre for Religion in Its Context. Mestizaje: (Re)Mapping Race, Culture, and Faith in Latina/o Catholicism. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2009. Christianity, Empire, and the Spirit:(Re)Configuring Faith and the Cultural. Leiden: Brill, 2018)

“Fernández-Albán situates Sergio Arce-Martínez’s theology in the context of Latin Americantheological production during the last decades of the twentieth century. The author stresses the important theoretical contributions of Arce-Martínez’s writings and their hermeneutical dialectics with the Cuban socialist revolution. He also attempts to suggest new conceptual and theological perspectives. Decolonial theory and discourse is here expounded as the most adequate epistemic standpoint to deal conceptually with the complex networks of social, cultural, political and economic dominations and exclusions.” (Luis N. Rivera-Pagán, Henry Winters Luce Professor in Ecumenics Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary, A Violent Evangelism: The Political and Religious Conquest of the Americas (1992), Essays from the Margins (2014))

“Fernández-Albán’s constructive engagement with mid-twentieth century Cuban theologian, Sergio Arce, is a constructive and important addition to emerging decolonial theological resources from the western hemisphere and the Caribbean in particular. This is a significant resource for engaging Arce’s contextual theology—particularly, its critical analysis of political and economic forces which will inform current critiques of neoliberal economic influences in practical and pastoral theology. Fernández-Albán’s careful attention to Arce’s original and formative voice significantly advances wider access to important, early decolonial contributions. I highly recommend Decolonizing Theology in Revolution.” (Nancy J. Ramsay, Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care, Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, TX, USA)

“An insightful, challenging, and inspiring study of Latin American liberation theology in practice over half a century — rooted in the specific historical context of revolutionary Cuba, addressing particular social evils and hope-filled possibilities, buffeted by changing cultural, political, economic and ecclesial contexts, learning from experience and dialogue with newer social movements and new generation of decolonial social theory, now at another historical crossroads domestically and globally confronting new challenges to conversion in thinking about despair and hope, religion and politics.” (Lee Cormie, retired Professor of Theology, University of St. Michael College, Toronto, Ontario)

• Seminario Evangélico de Teología, Matanzas, Cuba

  Ary Fernández-Albán

Ary Fernández-Albán is Professor of Theology at Seminario Evangélico de Teología, in Matanzas, Cuba. He is also an ordained minister of the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba.

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