Reflections on Evangelism by Eric Kregel

This is an excerpt from a blog post called "Is Evangelism Colonialism?" by the Rev. Dr. Eric Kregel, Chaplain for Lay Evangelists in the Diocese of Edmonton. Read the rest here.

Imagine California, before it belonged to the US or Mexico. Instead, Spain had claimed it for the Glory of the Crown and the Cross. Soldiers were sent to conquer the land, but they first sent the Jesuits, the “Black Robes”. The Jesuits would meet with the Indigenous peoples to preach the Gospel, to make Christians of these “savages”.

By design of the Crown, those original Californians were to surrender to Christ so that they would become servants of Spain, of a Christian Nation.  Refuse, and you would face the sword of soldiers who would be just around the corner, waiting to colonize. 

Evangelism prepared the way for a political reign on Earth.  For you see, the belief was that if the King, the Queen, and all of those who led Spain were Christian--really Christian--then Spain would be a Christian nation. And if you did not serve this Christian Nation, you would be standing against God himself. ...

When we hear of the practice of “Evangelism”, it may sound like how people sold Colonialism.   Evangelism was a way to talk people into joining and serving, at whatever level, the bigger thing that we slapped a cross atop and said it belongs to God.

So, is Evangelism Colonialism? Continue reading here.