HTI Open Plaza

Sociologist Carlos Martínez García is an opinion columnist for the Mexican national daily La Jornada . He writes on various topics, beginning with his advocacy for religious and other minorities in southern Mexico. In this bilingual episode of OP Talks, Martínez García and religious historian Dr. Daniel Ramírez discuss the role of the public intellectual in religious and political life and how Evangelicals have shaped Mexican political discourse.

In most parts of the world and especially where Christianity is flourishing, Pentecostal and charismatic movements predominate. What would it look like for the Western world—beset by the narrative of decline—to participate in this global Spirit-driven movement? (Eerdmans)

Dr. Néstor Medina and Rev. Dr. Amos Yong discuss his most recent book, Renewing the Church by the Spirit: Theological Education after Pentecost (Eerdmans, 2020), the second volume of the groundbreaking Theological Education between the Times book series. "I come from a Pentecostal background, and much of my scholarly work has been devoted to exploring a variety of theological themes and topics from my Pentecostal perspective or Pentecostal church, [an] ecclesial set of perspectives,” says Rev. Dr. Yong. "In that respect, this book is part and parcel of that journey as a Pentecostal Christian, as one who's participated in Pentecostal charismatic communities, attempting to think theologically from out of those communities.”

This episode of OP Talks is part of the Theological Education between the Times (TEBT) series, an initiative out of HTI member school Emory University Candler School of Theology that "gathers diverse groups of people for critical, theological conversations about the meanings and purposes of theological education. The project begins with a recognition that theological education is between the times, on the way. And it works in the confidence that we do not walk this road alone."

Rev. Dr. Loida Martell talks to psychologist Rev. Dr. Yvonne Martínez Thorne about complicated grief in extraordinary times. “We have been going from grief to grief in grief,” says Rev. Dr. Martínez Thorne, Founder and CEO of Cultivating Wholeness Counseling Associates, PC, where caring for the whole person matters. “This pandemic of COVID-19, plus the pandemic of racism, has ushered us into this journey of living grief. It pulsates, it doesn’t stop. It is continual.” She encourages us “to acknowledge this reality, that we are in uncharted waters of grief.” For church leaders, Rev. Dr. Martínez Thorne recommends creating clergy support groups and reminding those you serve that “you, too, have feelings and are going through things,” but that, “together, you can build a community in which you all care for each other.” Other practical ways to recharge: disconnect from devices and be sure to dedicate time to rest.

Rev. Miluska (Milly) Aquije’s mother brought her to the United States from Peru at the age of three, but it wasn’t until Milly applied to college that she learned she was undocumented. Her immigration status was a secret that would come to weigh heavily on her.  For DACA recipients like her, election cycles can be stressful, as immigration is a key divisive issue often deployed by politicians to score political points at the expense of human suffering.

In this episode of OP Talks, Rev. Aquije speaks to her mentors Rev. Maritza Crespo and Rev. Dr. Orlando Crespo about faith,  justice, and immigration. Reflecting on her seven-year relationship with the Crespos, Rev. Aquije recounts how being able to lean on the couple gave her the courage to be her authentic self and reassured her that God loves her, regardless of her immigration status. Their conversation touches on humane immigration reform that treats people with dignity, that doesn’t break up families, and that doesn't paint immigrants as a danger or drain to society.