Description
A new perspective on how Protestant missionaries of the imperialist era, 1880-1920, thought about the religions they were trying to displace, based on the papers presented at the First World Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh in 1910. Though the dominant mood of the gathering was paternalistic, missionaries with anthropological interests contributed to the European understanding of African religions and cultures. They also expressed a variety of opinions about prospects for transforming elements of native religions into Christian ideas. Begins a series focusing on the historical context and outcome of Christian thought and experience. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
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One of the most notable achievements of Christian missionaries during the last quarter of the nineteenth century was their contribution to the emerging disciplines of anthropology and the comparative study of religion particularly in tribal societies. This study focuses on the twentieth century missionary landmark, the First World Missionary Conference at Edinburgh in 1910. This study breaks new ground by describing five models that demonstrate the range with which missionaries of the Imperialist Era (1880-1920) interpreted tribal religious traditions in relation to the Christian message. Friesen's study reflects both an interdependence and a critique of the political, religious and anthropological spirit of the times.
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