While rural Haitians might misunderstand sin in the biblical context, they certainly are not immune from suffering the consequences of sin’s curse. Pain and suffering are their constant companions physically, economically, politically, and spiritually. In order to come to a proper biblical understanding of sin, three primary paradigm shifts must occur within their worldview. These...
There is a famous Haitian Creole proverb that translates, “Rocks in the river don’t know the pain of rocks in the sun.” Oftentimes, this is intended to denote the inability those who are affluent have in identifying with the emotional, mental, and physical grief of those suffering from acute poverty in Haiti. Unfortunately, this proverb...
There have been several interesting developments in regards to religion in the last 25 years. First, many attribute the fall of the nearly 30 year rule by the Duvalier regime to a subversive grassroots group of Catholics called “Ti Legliz.” This resurgence by Catholics was heavily influenced by Liberation Theology coming out of Central America...
Haiti reestablished relations with the Vatican in 1860 and power over the church in Haiti transferred once again to Europe. An influential Haitian voice, Louis Joseph Janvier, insisted Catholicism was an oppressive colonial power and a threat to Haiti’s autonomy, and he advocated for the establishment of Protestantism because it could be controlled internally rather...
A note from Joe: I met Casey in New Orleans while attending seminary. We both were a part of Edgewater Baptist Church, and we were in the same small group. Casey’s wife Briana was in medical school and now they live in Seattle where she does doctor stuff at a hospital. Casey is a self-described...
