The mexicanization of the methodist episcopal church, 1873-1919

Abstract

This thesis is an examination of the Mexicanization of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It uses the Methodist newspaper El Abogado Cristiano Ilustrado (The Illustrated Christian Advocate) as its principal source. As the mouthpiece of the Methodist Episcopal Church, El Abogado reported on political, social, cultural, and religious events in Mexico. The Methodists learned, from past experiences, that in order to survive and thrive they had to adapt, evolve, and persevere. They achieved this in Mexico through the process of Mexicanization, using Mexican-born ministers and linking themselves with liberalism, which they viewed as the emerging aspirations of the Mexican nation. The symbiotic relationship between liberalism and Methodism becomes key to understanding how Methodism survived and grew in Mexico. Mexican Liberals desired economic development, modernization, individualism, democracy, anti-clericalism, and nationalism. These tenets closely resembled the ideologies and theologies of the Methodists.