Christian Missionaries and the State in the Third World

Hansen, Holger Bernt and Michael Twaddle (eds.)- Christian Missionaries and the State in the Third World. Oxford, UK: James Currey and Athens, USA: Ohio University Press, 2002. 307 pp.

Reader be prepared for frustration! As often is the case with edited endeavors, this book is full of historic detail which borders on the mundane, but therein may be found great value. True to the first two words of its title, "Christian Missionaries," it recounts mainly the missionary experiences of nineteenth-century white males. The rest of the title, "and the State in the Third World," is misleading. The word "state" is never used in the juridical sense. State as a form of governance is taken for granted. The Third World comprises Africa, with intellectual excursions to the Caribbean and some comment on Latin America. Only one chapter specifically addressed the "Islamizing" of black Africa, and then only in a limited way (Andrew C. Wheeler's "...the case of Sudan 1946-64.") Colonial administrations in Africa feared radical Islam. However, the political issue was only intermittently mentioned.

A leading question: Why is Islam spreading more rapidly in black Africa than Christianity? This book is silent on this score. There are statements that colonial authorities gave preference to mainline Christian missions as a mean to counteract Islamic influence. Muslims have proven to be effective missionaries, and especially those of the apostate Ahmaddiyah sect.

To understand Christianity throughout most of Africa, it is imperative to understand Islam as well. The contentiousness of these two great faiths was scarcely raised in this edited book.

In context this work consists of little histories with weak integration, and little comparative/cross-cultural analyses. This is surprising. The two coeditors are associated with reputable research institutions. Hansen is director of the African Studies Centre, University of Copenhagen, and Twaddle is a senior member at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, London University.

Twenty-two authors seem to be historians. Three of them are theologians as well, and/or clergymen. Only one is of African descent, a Ghanaian. The others are European: ten British and four Scandinavian. There are seven Americans. Included is one woman, British. Nearly all of these authors appear saturated with experience in particular geographic locals. They are specialists of the first order.

This work would have been enriched by more critical thought introduced from experienced social scientists. Missionary work is politically charged. Missionaries are often the vanguard of massive socio-economic change. They are revolutionaries, seeking to transform individual and community life.

In selected ways this edited book calls attention to the revolutionary character of Christian missionary activity. However, little more is written than piece-meal chronicling. Good historiography was lacking.

In spite of these criticisms, this edited book has considerable merit. Limitation of space prevents any extensive examination of the twenty-one chapters grouped into eight parts. Co-editor Michael Twaddle in his Part One "Introductory," superbly summarizes each of the twenty contributions within a long historical stream. I found his anti-slavery commentary especially insightful. He does not shy away from the ugly activities of Christian missionaries in undermining indigenous culture. How black American missionaries have been involved in black Africa was well treated. The strategic role of non-mainstream Christian missionaries was insightfully identified.

Part Two, "The Caribbean Diaspora at the End of the Slave Era," provides a rich story of Christian diffusion. Splintering of Christian churches was a common feature in the two-hundred-year mission history. The Catholic Church appears to have dealt with this sensitive issue better than the Protestant churches. A group calling themselves Ethiopians, after the prophecy of African redemption in Psalm 68, became very influential across southern black Africa.

In the early twentieth century, Christian missionaries endorsed the message of the social gospel. They were involved in cultural renewal, political freedom, liberation of women, and socio-economic development. They made crucial contributions in winning independence from colonialism.

Many of the leaders in the Third World were educated by Christian missionaries. This edited work details educational activity and missionary attempts at social healing, as well as preaching, prayer and other sacramental activities. Although Africa has more than its share of corrupt rulers, undoubtedly Christian effort softened undesirable behavior and provided intellectual strength for modernization.

In recent history struggles for socio-economic advancement have largely been taken over by national states joined by international agencies. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly assuming humanitarian roles. Christian professionals from western countries carry on as monitors of human rights infringement worldwide. Local Christian churches under indigenous clergy strive for greater social justice. Unfortunately, wholesale persecution is too prevalent. Churches are burned down and believers murdered. Martyrdom is still being written into Third World missionary life. This edited book records courageous stands of individual missionaries.