Revival of Reformed Theology in Latin America

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the profound work God is doing in Latin America, particularly in the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking regions. Historically, Latin America has been a stronghold of Roman Catholicism, deeply influenced by its colonial past under Spain and Portugal. These countries, staunchly Catholic, resisted the Reformation, which led to a long-standing absence of Protestant influence in the region. However, in recent years, there has been a significant shift. A revival of interest in Reformed theology is sweeping across Latin America, largely fueled by the accessibility of online resources and social media. Sermons and teachings by prominent Reformed theologians like John MacArthur, Paul Washer, and R.C. Sproul are being subtitled and shared widely, leading to a rediscovery of the doctrines of grace.

This movement has opened doors for ministries like Ligonier to provide resources in native languages, such as the Reformation Study Bible, now available in Spanish and Portuguese. The impact of these resources is profound, with testimonies from pastors and believers who have been deeply transformed by the teachings. The Reformation Study Bible, in particular, has become a vital tool for many, offering theological depth and clarity that was previously inaccessible. The distribution of these Bibles, supported by generous donors, is reaching even the most remote and underserved areas, including countries like Venezuela and Cuba, where access to such resources is limited.

Moreover, the radio and online presence of Ligonier's Spanish outreach, through programs like "Renovando Tu Mente," is expanding the reach of Reformed theology. This initiative is not only educating individuals but also strengthening local churches by providing sound theological resources. The testimonies of pastors who have embraced Reformed teachings and are now leading their congregations with renewed vigor are a testament to the transformative power of God's Word.

Key Takeaways:

- The historical dominance of Roman Catholicism in Latin America has left a significant mark, but recent years have seen a revival of Reformed theology, largely due to the accessibility of online resources and social media. This shift is a testament to God's work in breaking through long-standing barriers. [06:16]

- The Reformation Study Bible in Spanish and Portuguese is a groundbreaking resource that is equipping pastors and believers with sound theological insights. Its distribution is reaching even the most remote areas, providing a much-needed tool for spiritual growth and understanding. [14:11]

- The testimonies of pastors who have embraced Reformed theology highlight the transformative power of God's Word. Many have experienced a profound change in their ministries, leading to a deeper understanding of the gospel and a renewed commitment to teaching biblical truth. [23:46]

- Ligonier's Spanish outreach, through radio and online platforms, is playing a crucial role in spreading Reformed theology across Latin America. This initiative is not only educating individuals but also strengthening local churches by providing sound theological resources. [32:26]

- The work in Latin America is a reminder of the global nature of the gospel. As resources are translated and distributed, the reach of Reformed theology continues to expand, impacting lives and communities in profound ways. This is a testament to the power of God's Word to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers. [37:00]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:40] - Introduction to Ligonier's International Outreach
- [01:17] - God's Work in Latin America
- [02:12] - Historical Context of Catholicism in Latin America
- [06:16] - The Absence of Reformation Influence
- [08:01] - The Rise of Reformed Theology
- [10:10] - Impact of Online Resources
- [12:04] - The Reformation Study Bible in Spanish
- [14:11] - Distribution Challenges and Successes
- [19:03] - Testimonies from Pastors
- [23:46] - Transformative Power of Reformed Theology
- [25:00] - Portuguese Edition and Global Reach
- [27:00] - Study Bibles for Africa Campaign
- [30:03] - Radio and Online Outreach
- [37:00] - Building Up Local Churches
- [40:17] - Closing Prayer and Gratitude

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:18 - "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
2. Romans 10:17 - "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."
3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

#### Observation Questions
1. What historical factors contributed to the dominance of Roman Catholicism in Latin America? [02:12]
2. How has the accessibility of online resources and social media contributed to the revival of Reformed theology in Latin America? [08:15]
3. What role does the Reformation Study Bible play in the spiritual growth of pastors and believers in Latin America? [12:04]
4. How is Ligonier's Spanish outreach through radio and online platforms impacting local churches in Latin America? [32:26]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the historical resistance to the Reformation in Latin America illustrate the challenges of spreading the gospel in regions with strong religious traditions? [06:16]
2. In what ways does the distribution of the Reformation Study Bible reflect the global nature of the gospel? [14:11]
3. How do the testimonies of pastors who have embraced Reformed theology demonstrate the transformative power of God's Word? [23:46]
4. What does the expansion of Reformed theology in Latin America suggest about the role of technology in modern evangelism? [37:00]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the historical context of your own faith tradition. How has it shaped your understanding of the gospel, and are there areas where you feel a need for deeper theological insight? [02:12]
2. Consider the role of online resources in your spiritual growth. What specific online sermons or teachings have impacted your faith journey, and how can you share these resources with others? [08:15]
3. The Reformation Study Bible is a tool for spiritual growth. What resources do you currently use for Bible study, and how might incorporating a study Bible enhance your understanding of Scripture? [12:04]
4. Ligonier's outreach is strengthening local churches. How can you support your local church in accessing sound theological resources, and what role can you play in facilitating this? [32:26]
5. The testimonies of pastors in Latin America highlight the power of God's Word. Reflect on a time when Scripture profoundly changed your perspective or actions. How can you share this experience with others? [23:46]
6. The global reach of Reformed theology is expanding. How can you contribute to the spread of the gospel in your community or beyond, considering the resources and platforms available to you? [37:00]
7. Identify a specific way you can engage with someone from a different faith tradition to discuss theological insights. What steps will you take to ensure the conversation is respectful and fruitful? [06:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Revival of Reformed Theology in Latin America
In recent years, Latin America has witnessed a remarkable revival of Reformed theology, breaking through the historical dominance of Roman Catholicism. This shift is largely attributed to the accessibility of online resources and social media, which have made teachings by prominent Reformed theologians widely available. The doctrines of grace are being rediscovered, leading to a profound transformation in the spiritual landscape of the region. This movement is a testament to God's work in overcoming long-standing barriers and bringing about a renewed interest in biblical truth. [06:16]

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use social media or online resources to deepen your understanding of Reformed theology today?


Day 2: The Reformation Study Bible's Impact
The Reformation Study Bible, now available in Spanish and Portuguese, is a groundbreaking resource that is equipping pastors and believers with sound theological insights. Its distribution is reaching even the most remote areas, providing a much-needed tool for spiritual growth and understanding. The testimonies of those who have been transformed by its teachings highlight the profound impact of having access to such resources. This Bible offers theological depth and clarity that was previously inaccessible, making it an invaluable asset for many in Latin America. [14:11]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that you are regularly engaging with and learning from sound theological resources?


Day 3: Transformative Power of God's Word
The testimonies of pastors who have embraced Reformed theology highlight the transformative power of God's Word. Many have experienced a profound change in their ministries, leading to a deeper understanding of the gospel and a renewed commitment to teaching biblical truth. This transformation is not only impacting individual lives but also strengthening local churches, as pastors lead their congregations with renewed vigor and clarity. The power of God's Word to bring about such change is a testament to its enduring relevance and truth. [23:46]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways has God's Word transformed your life, and how can you share this transformation with others?


Day 4: Ligonier's Spanish Outreach
Ligonier's Spanish outreach, through radio and online platforms, is playing a crucial role in spreading Reformed theology across Latin America. This initiative is not only educating individuals but also strengthening local churches by providing sound theological resources. The reach of these programs is expanding, allowing more people to access teachings that were previously unavailable. This outreach is a powerful example of how technology can be used to further the gospel and support the growth of the church. [32:26]

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you support or participate in initiatives that use technology to spread the gospel in your community?


Day 5: The Global Nature of the Gospel
The work in Latin America is a reminder of the global nature of the gospel. As resources are translated and distributed, the reach of Reformed theology continues to expand, impacting lives and communities in profound ways. This is a testament to the power of God's Word to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, bringing people from diverse backgrounds into a deeper understanding of the gospel. The global spread of these teachings highlights the universal relevance and transformative power of the Christian faith. [37:00]

"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'" (Revelation 5:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to the global spread of the gospel, and what steps can you take to engage with believers from different cultures and backgrounds?

Quotes



Latin America, what we know today as Latin America, which includes Brazil... the territory that is known as Latin America was conquered, it was colonized by Spain and Portugal. And there's something in common with those two countries, especially 500 years ago, and it was that they were really deeply Catholic countries, and they hated the Reformation. [00:03:52]

For 500 years, we've had that, you know, Catholic being the state religion because after the countries, they started getting their independence from Spain and from Portugal, they never got their independence from the Vatican. So the Catholic Church was everything. It was a political force, but they had all the universities, they had all the public schools, all the education. [00:05:02]

I remember my dad tells me in the 50s, he was a devout Catholic, and you could have read the Bible. The Catholic Church in the Dominican Republic, they used to gather all the Bibles and burn them, and this is in the 1950s. People were not allowed to read the Bibles. All the mass was in Latin, and everything was, you know, whatever the Catholic Church said, that's what had to be done. [00:05:36]

For the last seven years, there's been this awakening, this revival to the doctrines of grace. And you travel, I've traveled Latin America, and I've met with pastors, and the testimony is always the same. Well, I grew up being Pentecostal, I never knew anything about the doctrines of grace, and one day, I was on YouTube searching, and I found this preacher. [00:09:20]

When we started Spanish outreach three and a half years ago, four years ago, having the Reformation Study Bible, which it had been a dream of Dr. Sproul for years, you know, having the Bible, the Reformation Study Bible in many different languages, and with the opportunity of having or the fact that there's 50, 60 million Spanish-speaking people here in the United States and then you have 400 million Hispanics or Spanish-speaking people in Latin America. [00:13:02]

We started doing all this, raising the funds to do it, and having about 30 people translating all this content and all the editing and then the type setting and trying to get it to match the quality of the English version, which is really something that you don't see in Latin America at bookstores, that type of quality. [00:14:17]

We have distributed close to forty thousand Bibles already in a year. It's just a place of garden, and we already planning on the condensed version of the Reformation Study Bible in Spanish. And the testimonies that we get from people, from pastors that were waiting for these Bibles for a year, for years, are just amazing. [00:15:27]

One of the largest Pentecostal churches in Colombia, they want a Bible for each pastor, so we're sending a Bible. We're talking about over 1500 pastors. This is Reformation. It's the Reformation Study Bible. You're going to get 1600 Pentecostal pastors getting this Bible in their hands. It's just the Lord opening doors that, you know, it's just by His grace. [00:20:09]

There's a big radio station in Chile, it's called Radio Armonia. It used to be a... it's been, they just turned 30 years old. Okay, it's huge. They have 65 radio stations in the country. They're top five among all radio stations in the nation. And I'm good friends with the director, his reform now, and he's changing all the programming. [00:28:20]

We knew the power of radio in Latin America. Big ministries like Grace to You has been in radio for years there, so we wanted to have RC Sproul on radio. So we said, okay, how do we do this? Because we didn't have anything done. None of the teaching series were in Spanish, so we started, we said, okay, let's dub all the content into Spanish as if it was a movie. [00:30:39]

By the grace of God, we are now in over 220 radio stations in Latin America, in podcast platforms like Spotify, iTunes, and so on. And it's just God doing the work and the testimonies that we get and people that they've come to know RC Sproul and Ligonier and the Bible because we are also, we use the radio program to promote the Bible. [00:32:39]

Our goal through this, obviously, is to help believers, pastors, but to help build up local churches as well, and this is happening. One of the things that we know, you know, and I've told pastors, I've met with probably 300 pastors, 400 pastors in the last 30 years, and we're telling, look, we're here to help you. We want to hear from you. [00:37:50]

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Transcript
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