"En el Poder del Espíritu:” A Qualitative Research Study on Social Ethics/Theology among U.S. Latina/o Pentecostals

“…relevant for the church in North America since will contribute with a look from the inside of the lives -reality- of the U. S. Latina/o Pentecostals. ”

Team Members/Contributors

Néstor A. Gómez Morales University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology Contact Me

About this dissertation fellowship

Are most U.S. Latina/o Pentecostals concerned about sharing the gospel without any interest in the reality of oppression, discrimination, and marginalization? Are they just dancing and singing in their temples, having ecstasies and emotional experiences while ignoring the poor and their social struggle? Many scholars see the U.S. Latina/o Pentecostalism as a tradition with an anemic social ethic and lack of interest in the needs of the poorest in society. However, new research on progressive Pentecostals shows a different panorama. The theological perspectives, missiological work, and social ethics of a vast sector of U.S. Latina/o churches have changed considerably since its origins as a religious movement. New generations of Pentecostals are addressing the needs of the poorest and marginalized in the context of the United States. Hence, this research project challenges the idea that Latina/o Pentecostals are socially apathetic through a qualitative inquiry case study. The project seeks to examine the theological, missiological, and ethical motives that inspire Latina/os to social engagement. The hypothesis of this proposal maintains that the pneumapraxis observed in the daily life of the U.S. Latina/o Pentecostals is fundamental for understanding their social engagement with the oppressed and marginalized.