Were missionaries simply religious agents of imperialism? If you have ever asked—or been asked—this question, then this book is for you. Bringing together historians, literary specialists, and mission scholars, it explores the complexities of the subject, highlighting its many nuances. Figures like Henry Havelock, deeply involved in Britain’s suppression of the 1857 Indian Rebellion, were undoubtedly tied to imperial power. Yet, missionaries and their supporters were also the moral absolutists of their time—sincerely, if at times naively, committed to ideas of human liberation. At the same time, Christianity’s commitment to translation played a role in preserving indigenous languages and literary traditions, adding another layer to this thought-provoking discussion.
Contributors are Brian Stanley, Alec Ryrie, Michael Snape, Nicholas J. Wood, Ashish Alexander, Julian Thompson, Emily Burgoyne, Kyama Mugambi, Kirsteen Kim, and Kang-San Tan.