Bartolomeu de Las Casas and José de Acosta: a comparative study of their evangelization methods

Abstract

The present work consists of a comparative analysis between the theme of persuasion of the faith according to the Dominican friar Bartolomeu de Las Casas in his work 'The only way to attract all peoples to the true religion' and the work De Procuranda Indorum Salute Jose de Acosta. The text of Las Casas sums up the deep theological vision of the Gospel of Las Casas, evangelization linked to the promotion of justice and solidarity among peoples. In the text De Procuranda Indorum Salute, the important work carried out by the Jesuit Jose de Acosta in his twenty years of service in American lands is highlighted, especially in the evangelization and catechization of the Indians and in their critique of the models of evangelization employed until then. It said that besides not being able to reach the proposed objectives, indoctrination of the Indians also could not end the idolatry present in these peoples. This is the flag that Acosta will raise and that makes him one of the first and great thinkers of the new American lands.