Tongues of Fire

Tongues of Fire: The Explosion of Protestantism in Latin America
by David Martin
Blackwell Publisher (1990)

Protestantism is exploding in many parts of Latin America. This book documents many aspects of that movement in a region that is largely know for its Roman Catholic heritage. The growth of Protestantism is especially popular amongst people groups who are underprivileged. Although the author attempts to write simply, the book brings to light many profound concepts that are quite useful in understanding how God is moving throughout the globe in complex contexts. He focuses on the relationships between Hispanics and Anglo-Americans, successful ministry models which were transplanted from England to the United States, the religious spread of the gospel throughout the Latin American world, the advance of conservatism, the transformation of culture, and unique perspectives in the final chapters about the potential spread of the gospel around the world.

It was very interesting to read about how Christianity spread differently in different Latin American countries. For instance, why did Protestantism make such a huge impact in countries like Brazil but less so in other areas? David Martin wrote that “The depth of Protestant penetration and its variable incidence can be roundly demonstrated. The deepest penetrations have occurred in Brazil and Chile, in Nicaragua and Guatemala, and (outside strictly Latin America) Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. In Brazil, up to 20 percent of the population of 150 million is Protestant.” (50) The book goes into detail about the rapid growth of Protestantism in Brazil and also the Pentecostal movement in Latin America in general. Mercy and justice were themes found in the chapters on Brazil and Pentecostalism, characterized by the concept that “Pentecostals are people imbued with hope and with what they discern as ‘power,’ but they have little hope of power through politics.” (66)

Many people in Homewood are searching for hope. Sometimes hope comes in the form of small breakthroughs, and sometimes it comes in the form of major, systemic breakthroughs. These could also be described as movements. Several movements have been at the forefront of the Homewood community for the past few years since I have been working with the people here. The new school is helping to improve the education of the children in Homewood. Test scores have been improving, and the community has been experiencing transformation delivered by the district with all of the resources filtered into Homewood. The city government last year unveiled a project that is intended to reduce crime in the city by 80 percent. This year a children’s zone has been introduced into the community, engineered in the same fashion as a similar program in Harlem that achieved major results. The Pittsburgh Promise is a scholarship program that gives kids from Pittsburgh $40,000 for college, with the intention of transforming communities and keeping families in the city. All of these ideas are innovative and interesting, but there is no substitute for a movement of God! I believe God is moving in Homewood.