Latino/a/e and Latin American Biblical Interpretation

Latino/a/e biblical interpretation refers to the analysis of biblical texts, of interpretations of biblical texts, and of the process of interpretation itself from the perspective of Latino/a/e identities, experiences, and contexts. It is a form of minoritized biblical criticism that foregrounds Latinx identity and culture (in any of its varieties) as an interpretive lens (see the separate Oxford Bibliographies article “Minoritized Criticism of the New Testament”). Recurring themes include identity, marginalization, race, ethnicity, mestizaje, mulatez, exile, migration, and gender. Often, Latino/a/e biblical critics operate with a sense that their work be informed by the daily lived reality of Latino/a/es and be accountable to the wider Latine community, especially with respect to matters of justice and equity. Still early in its formation, questions remain over what precisely counts as Latino/a/e biblical criticism. For example, does a scholar’s Latino/a/e identity by itself render their analysis an exercise in “Latino/a/e biblical interpretation,” or must they ground it explicitly in contextual Latino/a/e realities to qualify? “Latine” and “Latinx” have emerged as terms that transcend the gender binary implied by “Latino/a” and will appear in the bibliography (including in combinations like “Latino/a/e” and “Latinoax”). So will “Hispanic,” which Latino/a/e biblical critics now use sparingly. Turning to Latin America, biblical criticism there encompasses the diverse methods and approaches employed today, notably historical criticism, literary and semiotic analysis, feminist hermeneutics, and sociological and materialist approaches (see the separate Oxford Bibliographies article “Interpretation and Hermeneutics”). Engagement with sociopolitical and economic realities, the struggles of marginalized communities, matters of social justice and liberation from oppression, the legacy of the region’s colonialization and of more recent political turmoil and rule by repressive dictatorial regimes, indigenous perspectives, and the environment all also characterize Latin American biblical interpretation, which emphasizes situating interpretation within the contextual realities of Latin America. Rather than cover the entire scope of Latin American biblical interpretation, this bibliography focuses on its development in relation to liberation theology, since Latin American liberationist hermeneutics have indelibly shaped biblical studies. Also limiting this bibliography’s scope is its concentration on English translations, because these are more widely available and themselves contain bibliographies to explore Latin American scholarship in its original languages (mainly Spanish and Portuguese). Since Latin American liberationist hermeneutics predate and influenced Latino/a/e biblical criticism, the bibliography first addresses Latin American biblical interpretation before turning to Latino/a/e biblical interpretation.