But Where Is The Peace?
A Lament
Welcome to “Global Witness, Globally Reimagined,” where we dream about mission in a postcolonial world. Every Thursday, I share one thought that has spoken to me in the week, some resources that I trust will be helpful to you, and three exciting quotes about mission to give you something to think about. I pray one of these will energise you in the coming week.
1. Thought I Can’t Shake Off
I think there is some truth in the critique that the missionary movement of the twentieth century was the religious arm of Western imperialism. Not always, but often enough to justify a generalisation, and not in every case, but systemically, the entire adventure. The Jesus that has been preached around the world seems, in most cases, to be at peace with the atrocities of the mighty and powerful empires. Indeed, the Christian faith did not prevent the enslavement and colonisation of African peoples. Of course, the history of European colonisation of Africa can be read in ways that suggest that the gospel of Jesus was used to pacify African communities, to distract and sedate them, in preparation for the brunt force of colonialism. As a matter of fact, God was often used to explain and justify slavery, colonialism, and apartheid.
This critique is not new. Back in 1911 (just a year after the Edinburgh World Missionary Conference and three years before the First World War), from northern Malawi, Charles Domingo wrote about European missionaries in Malawi (language preserved as in original):
There is too much failure among all Europeans in Nyasaland. The three combined bodies—missionaries, government and companies or gainers of money—do form the same rule to look upon the native with mockery eyes. It sometimes startles us to see that the three combined bodies are from Europe, and along with them there is a title Christendom … If we had power enough to communicate ourselves to Europe, we would advise them not to call themselves Christendom, but Europeandom. Therefore, the life of the three combined bodies is altogether too cheaty, too thefty, too mockery. Instead of ‘Give,’ they say ‘Take away from.’
In this new year of 2024, we commemorate 30 years after the genocide that took place in Rwanda (when 85 per cent of the country’s population was Christian). It has been 110 years since the break out of the First World War among the Christian countries in Europe. And, of course, it has been almost two years since the Russia–Ukraine war started—not to mention many proxy wars going on in the world, fought by people who call themselves followers of Christ. This Jesus seems too passive when God’s people are being oppressed, especially by fellow Christians. It does seem that the gospel of peace is only an anaesthesia for the masses. Talking about the genocide in Rwanda, Emmanuel Katongole said, “the blood of tribalism runs deeper than the waters of baptism.” For many of us today, we can say that the blood of nationalism runs deeper than the waters of baptism. This should not be. If indeed blessed are the peacemakers, where is the peace?
2. Resources I am Enjoying
Podcast: Ms. Missiology: Black Women Missionaries with Barbara Jones
In this episode of the Truth’s Table podcast, hosts Christina and Ekemini sit to discuss with Barbara Jones, one of the unusual faces in mission, being a black missionary woman engaged in mission and leading domestic and international missionary works as well as community development projects around the world. In this conversation, Jones reflects on her struggles, journey, and experiences as a black missionary woman in a space that still centres men and Western missionary models. Jones is an ordained minister who brings at least twenty-eight years of work as a missionary and consultant to the table, among other interesting angles to her life and stewardship. This is one conversation for lovers of God and mission, especially as God’s mission continues to unfold with different dynamics in this age of World Christianity.
3. Quotes I am Pondering
Doing Theology is not an exercise in conceptual weightlessness. It develops within the particular culture and context of the community that attempts to alter a word or two on the reality of God and the demands of faith for daily living. — Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator
Many mono-cultural churches, I believe, underestimate the changes required to accommodate worshippers of different cultural backgrounds because they do not realise the extent to which their own expression of worship is influenced by culture or how alien that culture can seem to others. — Modupe Omideyi
When the liturgy and sacraments, the training of the priests, the organization of the church and the development of dogma are put into a neat box—until recently, a European box—Christianity loses its dynamic and is reduced to just another religion, among others. — Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen
I pray that you will be faithful to the mission God has for you this week.