If the Bible is humanity’s source of absolute truth, why do so many readers interpret it differently? How do we overcome the hurdles of our differences to understand the full picture of unity that Scripture paints? In this classic WYF conversation from Season 4, Cuban American theologian Dr. Justo González shares how our contexts—and even Jesus’ context—shape the way we read, interpret, and engage with God’s Word.

Guest Bio:

Born and raised in Cuba, Dr. Justo L. González was ordained as a minister within the Methodist church in 1957. In 1961, he became the youngest person to earn a doctorate in Theological History from Yale University. For thirty years, Dr. González taught at various theological institutions, beginning with eight years at the Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico (1961-1969).

He has given hundreds of lectures across the world and has also written over one hundred books. His two-volume set, History of Christianity, and his three volumes, History of Christian Thought, have been translated into eight languages.

Since retiring from teaching full-time and ministry, he has dedicated his time to research, writing, and promoting Hispanic theological education. Dr. González was involved in the founding of the Asociación para la Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH), the Hispanic Theological Initiative (HTI), and the Hispanic Summer Program (HSP). He values mentoring and encouraging Latinas and Latinos and other minority students.

Notes & Quotes:

"The place where I most clearly meet absolute truth is in a very contextual moment in history, some 20 centuries ago, in a very contextual man whose name is Jesus. And that if you cannot take Jesus's contextuality, you cannot take His truth either.”

“The way you understand the kingdom of God is connected with that yearning. A yearning of fellowship, of easy understanding among others, of experiences that are fruitful and edifying . . .”

Links Mentioned:

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Check out Dr. González’s books here.
Learn more about the Association for Hispanic Theological Education.
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Verses Mentioned:

Acts 10: Story of Peter and Cornelius
Exodus & Moses
Luke 22:54–62
Philippians 3:20
Acts 22
John 14:2
Hebrews 11
Acts 28

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Hispanic Theological Education (Dr. Justo González)