"Latin America continues to provoke news of global significance, albeit for different reasons than a decade ago. In the 1980's the stories were dominated by drug wars and political crises, focusing particularly on Central America. Marxist ideologies, political revolutions and liberation theologies appeared to proliferate. The 1990's have significantly altered the political, economic, social and religious landscape. Now we see 'democracies' on the rise, privatization of state monopolies and trade market reforms. However, social tensions and the poor increase in number, and the future remains volatile. The collapse of Soviet-style Marxism has profoundly impacted revolutionary movements as well as Cuba and Liberation Theologies. Today, even the secular media and academia acknowledge the surprising growth and influence of Latin Evangelicals that require serious re-evaluation ... this book is panoramic yet thorough. Following Escobar's essay, Part 1 by Taylor examines the historical, socio-political and religious backgrounds of Latin America. In Part 2 Nu?n?ez probes issues and challenges such as post-conciliar Roman Catholicism, liberation theology, the charismatic movement, contextualization, and evangelical social responsibility. In Part 3 both authors update their original material, and Taylor concludes by exploring the implications of this book for the church, mission agencies and expatriate missionaries in Latin America."--Back cover