Colonization has been resisted by native peoples because of their desire for self-determination. Gandhi and the Indian people resisted the British. Native Americans resisted us. Hong Kong is resisting China. Colonization always exploits the weaker country for the economic benefit of the stronger.
Recently I have heard the word colonization used to describe the work of the church. What we thought was missionary work is now in many circles being understood as colonization. We went into places and pressed the people to accept our version of Christianity. We pressed them to learn our language and customs. We taught them the Baptist or Methodist or Presbyterian version of Jesus.
What if we stopped trying to fix people and just loved them? I think the best missionary work is not the powerful overpowering the powerless. I think that the best missionary work is the strong becoming weak for the sake of Christ. Just go love people. We don't have to be in charge and we don't have to make people do it our way. Just go love them.
It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com
- - - - - - - -
I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....
Treasures of Ireland
July 13-22, 2020
No comments:
Post a Comment