Patristic research trends in Latin America. Systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis in seven impact journals between the years 2018-2023

Abstract

With the aim of identifying trends in patristic research in the continent between 2018 and 2023, a systematic literature review is made in 29 articles of seven Latin American theological journals of impact, based on a previous broader study on trends in Latin American theological research between 2018 and 2022, which could be the second phase as a deepening of that review. With a mixed methodology, several dimensions of the publications are measured: universities of greater production, the origin of the researchers, the place of women in patristic research, the main themes of the research, to finally make an interpretation of the data found and a constructive criticism, taking into account the findings of the review that precedes it to encourage research in Latin America in favor of renewal in this area of theological studies. Several topics are proposed to collaborate in the generation of perspectives: 1) to recognize and support the growth in this area of theological research in the continent; 2) to open a later phase of research in relation to the factors that lead to such research motivations; 3) to promote and project research done by women and with related contextual themes and, 4) to think about patrology in a Latin American perspective.