Justo L. González: Missionary of Hispanic Theology in the United States
Hardcover
Religious BiographiesChristian LivingLatino Studies
ISBN13: 9781481324014
Publisher: Baylor University Press
Published: May 15 2026
Pages: 301
Weight: 1.58
Height: 0.94 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Two of celebrated Hispanic theologian Justo L. González's major works, The Story of Christianity and A History of Christian Thought, continue to be used as primary textbooks in undergraduate and seminary programs throughout the United States. But few of his literary students and admirers know the details of his biography, in particular the significance of his contribution to the emergence of Hispanic theology in the United States during the past five decades.
In this biography, Angel Santiago-Vendrell gives fresh attention to González's role in a rapidly changing theological landscape. Born in Cuba in 1937 and profoundly shaped by the revolutionary decade of the 1950s, González studied theology at Yale, Basel, and Strasbourg, where he encountered George Lindbeck, Karl Barth, and Yves Congar. He became good friends with Martin Luther King, Jr., during the 1960s while teaching at the Evangelical Seminary in Puerto Rico. He later went on to serve at Candler School of Theology and then to take various denominational positions in the United Methodist Church. His work for the Fund for Theological Education led to the creation of the Hispanic Theological Initiative in 1998. Although González is best known as a prolific author, Santiago-Vendrell argues that his most enduring contribution to Western Christianity is as a pioneer in Hispanic theology.
González's story reveals new strategies for the advancement of Hispanic people, the largest ethnic/racial minority in the United States but with the lowest proportion of educated leaders, pastors, and professors. His example of perseverance in Christian vocation calls Hispanic believers to remember and reignite their witness. Santiago-Vendrell presents González's life and work as embodying a missional passion rooted in the gospel of incarnation, of God's work in history. This incarnational theology is the center of an unwavering commitment in González's life to equip and unite Christians in their proclamation of the faith. This painstaking engagement with and for the church--Hispanic and otherwise--continues to bear much fruit.
Also in
Religious Biographies
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: A Righteous Gentile vs. the Third Reich
Metaxas, Eric
Paperback
American Pope: Leo XIV's Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City
Burke, Daniel
Detrow, Scott
Hardcover
Minute by Minute: A Pivotal Question from God, My Response, and the Remarkable Miracles That Followed
Moody, Joanne
Paperback
The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby: Inside a Billionaire Family's Quest to Craft a Christian Nation
Blanding, Michael
Hardcover
The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom
Boom, Corrie Ten
Sherrill, John
Paperback
A Thousand Shall Fall: The Electrifying Story of a Soldier and His Family Who Dared to Practice Their Faith in Hitler's Germany
Mundy, Susi Hasel
Paperback
Another Life: Discovering the Healing Power of Purpose on My Long Journey from Player to Preacher
Strawberry, Darryl
Hardcover
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, with Additional Writings
St Therese of Lisieux
Hardcover
Dreams of a White Snow Lion: The Remarkable Life, Vision, and Deeds of the Dalai Lama
Bianca, Mariateresa
Dhargye, Sherab
Hardcover
On Fire for God: Fear, Shame, Poverty, and the Making of the Christian Right - A Personal History
Hesse, Josiah
Hardcover
The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
He Leadeth Me: An Extraordinary Testament of Faith
Ciszek, Walter J., S. J.
Flaherty, Daniel L., S. J.
Paperback
Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries
Sittser, Gerald L.
Paperback
America's Apostle: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen
Ewtn Publishing
Hardcover
The Priest Who Stayed in Gaza: A Witness to Hope in the Ruins
de Dieuleveult, Guillaume
Romanelli, Fr Gabriel
Paperback
Joy Isn't Canceled: What Grief Taught Us about Pain, Peace, and Purpose
Penavega, Carlos
Penavega, Alexa
Hardcover
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, with Additional Writings
St Therese of Lisieux
Paperback
The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist
Day, Dorothy
Paperback
I Met God in Hell: The True Story of a Rocker's Unexpected Rescue from Eternal Death Into the Arms of God
Ehmann, Tim
Paperback
New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters: (Zondervan's Understand the Bible Reference Series)
Zondervan Publishing
Paperback
Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire (the Official Book for I Can Only Imagine 2)
Millard, Shannon
Millard, Bart
Noland, Robert
Hardcover
If Only We Could See: Reimagining Creativity, Compassion, and Calling Through the Extraordinary Life of Lilias Trotter
Trafton, Jennifer
Hardcover
Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices That Brought Peace
Moreland, J. P.
Paperback
The Missionary: A Memoir of Superheroes, Sin & Saving Souls for the Mormon Church
Hudson, Greg
Paperback
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!)
Lenz, Bethany Joy
Paperback
Holy Disobedience: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows
Spiers, Melissa Duge
Paperback
John G. Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides: An Autobiography (History of Vanuatu)
Paton, John G.
Paperback
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas: A Life Story of Faith, the Hippo, and a Song That Endures
Peevey, Gayla
Paperback
Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II
Rose, Darlene Deibler
Paperback
Bajo El Velo Encontré a Jesús: La Impactante Historia de Una Mujer Iraní Perseguida Por Su Fe
Akhavan, Sara
Paperback
The Shot Caller: A Latino Gangbanger's Miraculous Escape from a Life of Violence to a New Life in Christ
Diaz, Casey
Paperback
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!)
Lenz, Bethany Joy
Hardcover
Living Water: Powerful Teachings from the International Bestselling Author of the Heavenly Man
Yun, Brother
Paperback
Run Baby Run (New Edition): The True Story of a New York Gangster Finding Christ
Cruz, Nicky
Paperback
To Heaven and Back: A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again: A True Story
Neal, Mary C.
Paperback
