Toward an Indigenous Incarnation of the Gospel: A Canari Quichua Worldview of Christ in their Midst

This dissertation examines the origins and development of christological thought among the rural Canari Quichua people of southern Andean Ecuador. The research focuses on those Canari who consider themselves to be catolicos (Catholics) but who would be regarded by most missiologists as adherents of the popular or folk religion. While primary data has been collected from Canari folk religionists, additional insight into indigenous Christologies has been provided by former practitioners of the popular religion who now consider themselves to be evangelicos (evangelical Christians). This field research was carried out primarily in the Ecuadorian province of Canar, while additional research was conducted in the neighboring provinces of Azuay and Chimborazo.;Methodologically, social research methods were used to discover major Canari Quichua worldview themes. This work was critical since these cultural leitmotifs have been projected onto and incorporated into the many Christologies that are "lived out" among these people. Using this knowledge, I describe and categorize some of the major Christological images found among the Canari, and I interpret their role and function in the popular religiosity of the people. As a result of this analysis, I then present what I believe to be the four major Christological themes in Canari popular religiosity, and I attempt to critique, from an evangelical perspective, their compatibility with the Christ of the New Testament witness.;The ultimate goal of this study is to present a Christocentric gospel (good news) that speaks to the unique experiences and challenges of the indigenous reality. Therefore, this dissertation presents several fresh (in contrast to the traditional, Western theological viewpoint) Christologies "from below" that should have particular appeal within the Canari Quichua context. I believe that these Christologies can be instrumental in helping to lead indigenous adherents of the folk religion into a true and contextually relevant encounter with the Christ of faith.