For Daniel Salinas, contributing to the Latin American Bible Commentary wasn’t just about adding theological insights—it was about giving a voice to the Latin American church. As a Langham Scholar and theologian from Colombia, Daniel’s academic journey has taken him from Bogotá to the United States and across virtual classrooms worldwide. But it’s his contribution to this commentary that stands out as a deeply personal mission. “It’s the first time we have a Bible commentary written and published in Spanish by Latin Americans,” Daniel shares.
With a unique mix of cultural heritage and academic rigour, this one-volume commentary offers more than a translated text: it engages directly with the questions and struggles faced by the Latin American church—questions that mainstream resources often miss. For Daniel, having local voices interpret Scripture for their own people is crucial to fostering a deeper understanding of the Bible in a context that is often overlooked.
A Contextual Voice
For too long, biblical commentaries in Latin America were translations from European or North American sources. While the insights were valuable, they often lacked relevance to the unique social and cultural issues Latin Americans face daily.
“We deal with questions that aren’t important in other cultures,” Daniel explains, citing ‘machismo’ as one such issue. In Latin America, the suppression of women, both in society and the church, is a significant challenge. “This commentary works to bring the dignity of women back into the church,” he adds.
Another example is the influence of popular religion in Latin America, which often blends traditional Catholicism with indigenous spiritual practices. These deeply rooted issues are rarely discussed in commentaries from other parts of the world. But for Daniel and his colleagues, it was crucial to confront these questions and offer biblical perspectives that resonate with local congregations. “We asked ourselves, ‘How does the Bible apply to our culture? What do we need to challenge or celebrate in light of Scripture?’” Daniel says.
A Unified Yet Diverse Voice
Although Latin America is diverse—spanning multiple countries, languages, and cultures—the commentary seeks to reflect this diversity while addressing shared concerns. Authors from different backgrounds, ages, and even countries collaborated to produce a resource that speaks to the entirety of the Latin American church. Daniel himself contributed to the commentary on Ecclesiastes and also wrote articles on wisdom and the Sabbath, ensuring that the richness of Latin American culture was considered throughout.
“This commentary is not an isolated work,” Daniel emphasises. “It dialogues with other global theological resources, but does so through the lens of Latin American realities.” This approach allows for a richer understanding of the Bible, blending local insights with global perspectives.
A Gift to the Global Church
The Latin American Bible Commentary is more than just a resource for local pastors and churchgoers. Daniel believes it has something valuable to offer the global church as well. “The voices of the South need to be heard by the North,” he says. For too long, theological discourse has flowed in one direction, from the Global North to the Global South. But with resources like this commentary, the conversation is becoming more balanced. “Our experiences, struggles, and perspectives can bring new colours to the gospel that enrich everyone,” Daniel affirms.
“I really was privileged by receiving the help to finish my PhD,” Daniel says. “Thank you for the support, because it has been a blessing to the church.”
As scholars like Daniel continue to contribute to projects like this, they are not just creating resources for their local church—they are offering gifts to the global body of Christ.