Hermanas by Natalia Kohn Rivera, Noemi Vega Quiñones, and Kristy Garza Robinson, Free for CAPC Members

Hermanas by Natalia Kohn Rivera, Noemi Vega Quiñones, and Kristy Garza Robinson is graciously available free to Christ and Pop Culture members until June 27, 2019, through our partnership with InterVarsity Press.

Upon reading the opening sentences for the CAPC Member March offering, Hermanas, it became clear to me that the book was written for Latina women. Since I’m not Latina, I at first felt a little uneasy reading it. However, it became immediately clear that my hesitancy was unnecessary, and I found myself roundly welcomed to read, observe, learn, and grow from Natalia Kohn Rivera, Noemi Vega Quiñones, and Kristy Garza Robinson.

Hermanas explores the lives of women from the Bible, weaving the truths from their narratives with the experience of the modern Latina woman. The first half of the book offers biblical stories that deal with identity and intimacy, and the second explores biblical characters who wielded impact and influence. Each chapter recounts the stories of female figures from the Bible such as Esther, Mary of Bethany, Ruth, Lydia, and Hannah. The stories are rich, and the biblical truths drawn from them are faithfully applied to the lives of readers. Issues such as cultural displacement, female leadership, and defending the vulnerable are explored in the context of Scripture.

The great truth about the Gospel is that it is for everyone, and this book is founded on that Gospel. Even though I’m not a part of the intended audience, this book invited me into the familiar stories of the Bible that I’ve known my whole life, and into fresh, new stories from the authors’ own lives. While the authors acknowledge that they wrote Hermanas with Latina leaders in mind, they also acknowledge—and celebrate—that their unique perspective can and should be considered by people of all backgrounds and ethnicities. We are primarily united by our faith in Christ, a common thread that beautifully weaves all of our stories together. Christ’s church is racially and ethnically inclusive, and we can, and should, listen and learn from our hermanas, or sisters. The authors of this book strike a clear and convicting balance between confirming universal, biblical truths and offering their particular perspectives on how the Bible speaks to their specific circumstances and experiences.

While the Latina experience is not universal, it is important to recognize that all of God’s people are beloved by Him and created with specific gifts to build His kingdom. The work of the Church must involve every member, including those who have been marginalized or muffled. The expressions of biblical truth in Hermanas do not merely fulfill a hope for racial diversity. Instead, they testify to the God’s work across borders and languages, in the hearts of believers from all backgrounds. Hermanas is full of important, encouraging truth from God’s Spirit—if we have ears to hear and eyes to see.

To receive a digital copy of Natalia Kohn Rivera, Noemi Vega Quiñones, and Kristy Garza Robinson’s Hermanas, consider becoming a member of Christ and Pop Culture for as little as $5 per month. You’ll get free stuff each month, full access to our digital Christ and Pop Culture Magazine (including all back issues), entrance to our exclusive members-only group on Facebook—and you’ll help us keep the lights on. Join now.