The Religious Roots of Rebellion: Christians in Central American Revolutions

by Phillip Berryman

"Phillip Berryman by training, experience, and commitment is uniquely equipped to interpret the dominant role of Christians in the ongoing Central American revolutions. From my longtime knowledge of him, of his works, and his writings, I had anticipated an important book. What he has written far outstrips my expectations, a systemic analysis resting on a bedrock of factual record. "The liberating role is new for the church in Central America. Here in the United States we are deluged with lies and distortions concerning this role which has become central in the struggle of the people of the region for justice and dignity. Berryman's book could not have come at a more timely moment. We are all indebted to him for the convincing and thoroughly documented evaluation of a church that is being born in suffering in Central America, a church that offers hope to all of us. This is the authoritative statement against which all other accounts will be judged."
Gary MacEoin, co-author of Puebla: A Church Being Born

"Phillip Berryman demonstrates an astonishingly complete and objective knowledge about Christians' participation in the revolutions of our region. Contemporary events in Central America are extremely significant—and will be even more so in the future. Thus the significance of this book."
Ernesto Cardenal, priest, poet, Minister of Culture of Nicaragua

"This is a provocative and important contribution to understanding the role of Catholicism in the struggle for justice in Central America. Phillip Berryman writes with the sensitivity and passion of a Christian who has lived the biblical option for the poor."
Penny Lernoux, author of Cry of the People

Genres: Theology

Paperback

First published March 1, 1984

Reviews

[Michael Airhart]

With its deep dive into the lives of Christians who were harmed by their countries' violent politics, and the ruthless defense of that violence by the church, this book helped transform my understanding of the Christian experience and especially of American Christians' role in persecuting the Christians of the developing world. Given the subject matter, the book's datedness is a compelling strength, not a weakness -- it recalls critical historical details about the church and politics of an era that was never adequately recorded by mainstream historians or the internet.