Anglican Mission - Purpose of Mission
The stories from Latin America, Asia and Africa are all fascinating and thought provoking. One particular thought for me is what appears to be a disconnect between the Great Commission to make disciples, baptize and teach in the name of the Trinity and to teach as Jesus has commanded. Yet it seems to me that several of the missionary stories that we have heard seem to have a different objective that to teach as Jesus commanded. They seem focused on the colonization, the trade routes, and the almost seeming power over the indigenous peoples.
We listened this week to the stories of the conflict between the British and Portuguese in Ghana. How is this claimed in the name of God rather than a principality? How can one church be destroyed by another set of missionaries because it is a different denomination?
We have seen in many cases that the clergy went on the ships of the traders and actually went first as chaplains to the alien traders. The conversion of the indigenous people seemed almost secondary.
In many cases local customs were wiped out in the name of Christianity. Even in the case of Fr. Araica, his assignment in Chicago seemed a result of political strife among the bishops.
I am struck that the question we might ask is actually the title of Roland Allen's book: "Missionary Method -- St. Paul's or Ours?"
Posted by Gwynne Wright at April 25, 2003 04:45 PM
Posted by Gwynne Wright at April 29, 2003 05:01 PMThe presentation by Robert and Abraham was very informative. The history of mission in Africa is mingled with the colonization, slave trade, exploitation and strife. We need to see the mission in new perspectives, free from colonial overtones.
Posted by: Anish at April 29, 2003 08:29 PM