I want to answer a question someone has about an objection of what if Christianity is a tool for European colonialism. Here’s my response:
- Christianity as it is based upon the Bible, did not begin with White People, if by White we mean European. For our purpose we are defending the essence of true Christianity: Biblical Christianity. Biblical Christianity started with the Jews in the Middle East, a Semitic people, and its many various human authors wrote books of the Bible in Ancient Near East settings such as under and out of their departure from Egyptian, Babylonian and Persian empire, and those empires mentioned are not European in origin.
- Jesus Christ Himself whom Christianity is about, is Himself not European, He’s Jewish.
- The message of the Good News is for all ethnic people. Think of Romans, Galatian and Ephesians 2 that teaches all people need Christ and all people can be saved through Christ and all people can be United in Christ.
- For something that is suppose to be a tool of European control the paradigm in the New Testament hasn’t been European and Non-European but Jews and Gentiles, making it less likely to be a tool of European supremacy, Europe-centric, etc.
- The Patristic, post- New Testament early church was far from being Europe-centric with orthodoxy being defended with church heroes like Augustine and Athanasius from North Africa and others from Asia Minor (Turkey). The first seven Ecumenical Councils were truly ecumenical and not European-only affair.
- The Roman Empire, a European empire, was not equivocated as the Kingdom of God in the Book of Daniel and the New Testament; in fact the Kingdom of God was seen in juxtaposition to the Roman Empire.
- European imperialism in the 16th century onwards at times have appropriated Christianity for ulterior imperial intentions but we also see European colonialism put Christianity away or even persecuted Christian missionaries when it clashed with their objectives of colonialism, when colonialism is going well without the use of Christianity, etc. For example the East India Company harassed Gospel missionaries, discouraged the social work of Christian missionaries pressing for Reform such as banning Sati, unjust laws about Caste systems, etc, and these Christians were seen as thorns to the side of Colonialism. It’s worth studying the life of William Carrey. Something similar can be said for European attempt to project colonial ambitions in China, though at times defending missionaries is the stated basis for colonial power, from archives we now have open of diplomatic communiques and letters of Western officials.
- Missionaries and Missional Christians were also those who spoke out against and work legally against colonial interests of the slave trade. Think of William Wilberforce, John Newton, etc.
- In American slavery, African American slaves in Black churches heard the theme from the Bible of the Exodus where God freed slaves. The Bible can hardly be domesticated to fit perfectly anyone’s colonial agenda. Rather there is something about the Bible and it’s content that is subversive to empires and tyrants that evil leaders wanting power have long ago discovered throughout history and thus persecuted believers be it Babylonian kings, Roman Emperors and Mao and Stalin.
- I know Spanish colonialization and the United States handling of Native American children to make them “American” often had a dimension of using Christianity forcefully. It’s unfortunate. Yet we also see unintended consequences that undermine colonialism when people group become more Christian they also demand equal protection under the law, as in the case of the Cherokee native Americans. So just because people become Christians don’t mean the people in their belief in Christianity would say an evil done against them is now right or God’s will, etc.
- Abuse of the Bible in history must also be put in the context that anything can use twisted to be used and abused for power. Christianity is not the only religion that this has been twisted for evil agenda of sinners. Love, family and patriotism themselves can be twisted to abuse others. See Bad excuses for rejecting Jesus and Christianity and the analogy of dental care and Hypocrisy, Christianity and the Case of Patrick Rock.
- God’s kingdom and the fruit of the citizens and ambassadors of God’s Kingdom must abide by New Testament conduct which is the opposite of colonialists and imperialists. By their fruit you shall see them whether they are Kingdom of darkness versus Kingdom of Light.
- See more on Responding to Objection against Christianity: Religion causes problems
A Christian having a nuanced view of Christianity and history should see there is a place for appreciating European and Western missionaries contribution while also noting all the above.
The Domain for Truth 
Thank you for this well balanced discussion of a thorny issue. I agree wholeheartedly with your conclusions Jim. As to colonialism I would personally assert that it did’t originate in Europe, but in Asia/Middle East. How often we have heard the argument that Christianity/Religion has caused wars etc, but as you accurately point out it is the abuse of these by sinful men that bring evil to the world.
That’s a good point you mentioned about the Middle East and Asia being the origin of Empires. Which is true. Sinful people of course twists the Bible for evil end. I am seeing this objection brought up more and more here in the US. Maybe it is due to our country’s discussion about ethnicity and race. Is there a same phenomenon in Scotland may I ask?
I had to ponder this question Jim. Certainly there is a big race debate in the USA, which never seems to be resolved. But there is racism and also sectarianism in Scotland, the latter is guilty of using religion to justify their beliefs. In recent years the Bible has been abused most in our state churches by those supporting or appeasing homosexuality. The reality of persecution for Bible believers has become very apparent. In Northern Ireland a well known pastor Rev. James McConnell was dragged through the courts for a sermon he preached in his own church where he exposed the wickedness of Islam.
Excellent response. The word of God is for all of us. The way of Jesus is for all of us. Jesus is a unifying force for good.
Blessings.
Hey, Jimmy! This is a conversation that is desperately needed today! While God said to Israel “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos 4:6), God’s people today and unbelievers are being destroyed by their lack of knowledge. There is a reason why God commanded Israel to memorize history and know her past. Today, history is being rewritten daily, all over the world. From the UN on down. The past is being erased and changed to fit narratives that are pro-man and anti-God. I have seen quite a few blogs espousing that Jesus and Paul weren’t Jewish. While colonialism and Christianity did harm in Africa, slave trading originated with tribes capturing other tribes and selling them into slavery. White people bought slaves from the tribes. This is totally wrong, not supporting or defending this this at all! Christianity is the only religion that truly gives a voice to the voiceless. Christianity is the only religion that tears down identity markers as family upbringing, socioeconomic status, past failings, race, gender, sex, ethnicity and says that in Christ you are a new creation. In Christ you have family. In Christ you are adopted as a child and heir. The Triune God is God over the past, present and future. The Trinity as you have been teaching us in your attributes of God series is that God is working in human history, redeeming man even in the midst of the horrors that have been done in His Name. May people seek Jesus by grace through faith while there is still time. Praying for youth group today!
A big amen to your post! With all the nuances and clarification! Wow thanks for this and I hope others also read your comment when they check out your post. There is so much revisionary false history out there. I don’t know how people can lie about Paul and Jesus with a clear conscience. I really like this part you said: “ Christianity is the only religion that truly gives a voice to the voiceless. Christianity is the only religion that tears down identity markers as family upbringing, socioeconomic status, past failings, race, gender, sex, ethnicity and says that in Christ you are a new creation.” That is true. I think of how my parents Asian religion often fortify status quo of certain identity hierarchy but Christianity does the opposite with our identity in Christ. And that changes everything. I see the good effect of that even in very hierarchal culture the Gospel with the advancement of the Church having people get saved! Saw your latest comment mentioned it’s cold in PA! What’s the temperature there right now?
Right now the wind is blowing so while it say 36f outside, feels like 27. I am eager for Spring!
[…] Is Christianity a Tool of European Colonialism? […]
Thanks for this thoughtful post. The early church did gradually become institutionalized and partnered with imperialistic monarchs and governments, and, yes, genuine Christians are capable of taking wrong turns, but it’s naive to condemn the pure religion of Jesus Christ for these shortcomings.
You are right: “ but it’s naive to condemn the pure religion of Jesus Christ for these shortcomings.”. One can see an abuse of everything that is good and noble in this world, given man sinful nature. The Bible even warn us of false Christ, false teachers and false prophets and their sinful ulterior motive. How was your drive to work? I imagine since Mandy said it’s colder today it must be the same in NY
Some have interpreted the birds nesting the mustard tree in Matthew 13:32 to mean the demon spirits entrenched within the institutional church.
Still cold in ROC, currently 27F and snowing but a range of 45 to 61F forecasted for next week.
How’s your day going?
[…] Is Christianity a Tool of European Colonialism? | The Domain for Truth (wordpress.com): The author of this post gives a straightforward defense of Christianity, countering the efforts of those who call Christianity a tool for European Colonialism. […]
Did you mean William Carrey instead of William Wilberforce in point 8?
I need to correct it thanks
ok
Great article, Jim. I caught this through Citizen Tom’s post. As others pointed out, this is a much needed conversation with all the leftist disinformation propaganda out there (The 1619 Project, etc.). Slavery was a way of life in the whole world when America was founded, and the ideal that all men and women were created equal was ensconced for the first time in human history in the Constitution (other than the Bible, of course).
As former slave, Fredrick Douglas said around the time of the Civil War:
“Now, take the Constitution according to it’s plain reading, and I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it. On the other hand it will be found to contain principles and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery.” Fredrick Douglas
As Martin Luther King Jr., referred to the Constitution as a “promissory note” and a “sacred obligation” in his famous “I have a Dream” speech. He used it as the moral and constitutional leverage for the Civil Rights movement. His point: If we were going to live up to our constitutional ideal, we must stop racism.
“America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back ‘insufficient funds.'” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thank you Mel for reading this post; and also for the many good quotes and perspective. I think the revisionary history taught in the universities is problematic and I recall even to raise questions made professors and students very uncomfortable and I think its worst now than the 2000s when I was in college. At least then I as a minority can speak without being demonized but I suspect this won’t be the case with this new category of “multiracial whiteness.” I love history and the social sciences and fear that some of these ideological woke propaganda is going to destroy those disciplines. There’s discouragement of freedom of speech and academic research and conclusions. Scary no? Especially grieving for me is the misrepresentation and inaccurate description of Christianity and the Bible, which I imagine, probably grieve you too?
Very true, Jim. You have an advantage here with your voice as a minority. This is why I appreciate brilliant thinkers like Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, and Larry Elder. They are exposing the hypocrisy of the left for using black people for their political advantage.
And I think when the woke accuse minorities of being racist, they only prove their insane hypocrisy.
Excellent. Reminded me of origin.
People need to go back to the origin of Christianity: to Jesus Himself. After all it’s all about Jesus, and Jesus is whom we need Amen??
Amen, Pastor.
I had been considering a similar post, but I will take all of SlimJim’s work and re-share it. It is easier on me.
Christ’s Church is not European, though Europe was the central launch point for centuries. Like said in many of these points, so much of the Bible is against the slavery and tyranny seen in many of the colonizing nations. It was the truth of the Gospel that eventually led to some of the most powerful empires and societies eventually denouncing slavery and tyranny.
Just a couple extra cents’ worth of my thoughts.
Daniel
Reblogged this on a simple man of God and commented:
I had been considering a similar post, but I will take all of SlimJim’s work and re-share it. It is easier on me.
Christ’s Church is not European, though Europe was the central launch point for centuries. Like said in many of these points, so much of the Bible is against the slavery and tyranny seen in many of the colonizing nations. It was the truth of the Gospel that eventually led to some of the most powerful empires and societies eventually denouncing slavery and tyranny.
Just a couple extra cents’ worth of my thoughts.
Daniel
well said… and badly needs to be said. J.
What men meant for evil God meant for Good, I am glad that the Gospel reached my family here in India.
I had a small discussion with a creature a while back, totally dismissing Jesus Christ was born a Jew.
Great post brother Jim.
[…] 5.) Is Christianity a Tool of European Colonialism? […]
I will say that Biblical Christianity is not colonial. Man however corrupted and abused Christianity as an excuse to justify all their goals. We must clarify as Christians that many things that were done in the Colonial Times, (including Africa and Asia) were not Biblical Christianity. But men twisting scripture to justify doing terrible things to other human beings.
Well-laid out discussion! Christianity, colonialism, and missionaries merge together throughout history. Imperfect people pursuing noble objectives with the heart of a servant of Christ don’t always accomplish a Gospel-centered mission. While God is pure and perfect, mankind stumbles and falls with uncanny frequency.
The woke culture ultimately is Satanic
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It seems to me that notions like equating Christianity with European Colonialism come from spending too much time reading the opinions of other people and not actually reading the Bible.
I agree! Sadly I think these kind of attack will become more frequent with our age of being worked up about racism and White supremacy don’t you think?
Agreed. I can usually get along with everyone and like to focus on what we have in common, but it seems to be the people who claim to care so much about ridding the world of racism that are always pointing out what color everyone is.
[…] One often hear Christianity is a tool of European imperialism and colonialism. See my post Is Christianity a Tool of European Colonialism? […]
[…] details or details of what happen in current events. For historical examples see my article Is Christianity a Tool of European Colonialism? and Asians coming to America to benefit from Slavery? or Discussion with a Pastor about US […]
[…] Is Christianity a Tool of European Colonialism? […]