Evangelicals in DR Face Literary Drought
Evangelicals in the Dominican Republic face a literary drought. Despite a growing number of professionals and institutions, local literary production remains scarce, with over 95% of books in shops being foreign. The community's oral tradition and preference for preaching over writing contribute to this challenge.
The Dominican evangelical community's literary landscape is dominated by foreign authors. This is partly due to limited financial resources for publishing, low educational levels, and a strong preference for oral tradition and preaching. The first generation lacked academic training, but the current generation is better equipped, with a significant number of professionals and institutions dedicated to thought development and technological facilities.
However, evangelical councils, theological seminaries, and the National Evangelical University express concern about the lack of local literary production. Major publishing houses have boosted the literary industry, but evangelicals remain passive consumers. There's no significant movement to promote and sell local literature, and literature produced by evangelical Christians is nearly non-existent. The release of a local book doesn't generate the same excitement as it might elsewhere.
Addressing this literary scarcity requires a shift in mindset and resources. Evangelicals must embrace written material, invest in local publishing, and foster a culture that values and promotes domestic literary production. By doing so, they can enrich their community's intellectual landscape and reduce dependence on foreign literature.
