Human Rights and the Kingdom of God

The right to life is the most fundamental for every human being because they were created in the image and likeness of God; and it is fundamental because the exercise of all other rights depends on life itself. However, reality shows that this right has been permanently violated by the actions of people, institutions, and systems that have, in many ways, called it into question. In Latin America, many of these cases have occurred and continue to occur. Faced with this reality and within the framework of integral mission, it is urgent that respect for human rights be evidence of a commitment to Jesus Christ, who, out of love, gave his life for all.

• How can the problem of human rights be addressed from the Christian faith?
• In what sense do human rights constitute a challenge and a cry for all those who aspire to a society worthy of human beings?
• What factors have influenced the church to adopt a quietist attitude in the face of human rights violations?
• Are human rights related to the biblical doctrine of the Kingdom of God?
• How does the church fulfill its vocation as salt of the earth and light of the world in this field?
• What is the importance of human rights in light of biblical teaching?

This second edition of the book "Human Rights and the Kingdom of God" includes the participation of two prominent Latin American theologians committed to the defense of human rights, both through their academic work and their Christian practice: Darío López and Humberto Lagos.

The authors argue that human rights are inherent to every person. The arguments compiled and brought together on this occasion focus primarily on the right that has been constantly violated and trampled in our Latin American continent: the right to life. This book is, therefore, an invitation to the reader to understand and make visible the missionary responsibility of the church regarding the defense of human rights.