The Word Became Culture

Miguel H. Díaz (Edited By) Miguel H. Díaz is the John Courtney Murray, SJ, University Chair in Public Service at Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Díaz served under President Barack Obama as the ninth U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. He is a co-editor of the series Disruptive Cartographers: Doing Theology Latinamente and author of the third volume in the series, Queer God de Amor (Fordham). As a public theologian, Professor Díaz regularly engages print, radio, and television media. He is a contributor to the “Theology en la Plaza” column for the National Catholic Reporter. As part of his ongoing commitment to advance human rights globally, he participates in several diplomatic initiatives in Washington, D.C., including being a member of the Atlantic Council, a member of the Ambassadors Circle at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and a member of the Board and Senior Fellow for Religion and Peacebuilding for the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP). Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi (Foreword By) Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi is President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture and President of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology. A professor of exegesis of the Old Testament, he taught in Milan at Facoltà Teologica dell’Italia Settentrionale and from 1989 to 2007 he served as prefect of the Ambrosian Library. Since March 2012 he has been president of the cultural association Casa di Dante in Rome, dedicated to making the works of Dante known throughout Italy and abroad. In 2011, he inaugurated the initiative, “The Court of the Gentiles, which earned him international acclaim. This initiative sought to bridge Christian faith and reason by engaging in critical conversations with a wide range of publics. He is a prolific writer who has authored some 150 volumes, mostly in biblical studies, as well as numerous popular publications.

Preface to the Series | vii

Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, Gary Riebe-Estrella, Miguel H. Díaz

Acknowledgments | xi

Introduction: A Preferential Option for Culture | xv

Miguel H. Díaz

Foreword | xxi

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi

1. The Word That Crosses: Life-giving Encounters with the Markan Jesus and Guadalupe | 1

Miguel H. Díaz

2. Beyond Borders and Boundaries: Rethinking Eisegesis and Rereading Ruth 1:16–17 | 25

Jean-Pierre Ruiz

3. A “Preferential Option”: A Challenge to Faith in a Culture of Privilege | 49

María Teresa Dávila

4. (De)Ciphering Mestizaje: Encrypting Lived Faith | 71

Néstor Medina

5. Playing en los Márgenes: Lo Popular as Locus Theologicus | 93

Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández

Index | 115