Saturday, August 26, 2006
"Christian" Voodoo Dolls?
Here it is, the first post of the semester provoked by my classes:
Many missionaries today are faced with the question of what to teach about the pagan traditions of the culture they are trying to reach. When there is a conversion, should they tell the person to rid themselves of everything pertaining to their old, sinful way of life or find a way to transform them into something “Christian”? According to Augustine of Canterbury,
So what do you think? Is Augustine right?
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Many missionaries today are faced with the question of what to teach about the pagan traditions of the culture they are trying to reach. When there is a conversion, should they tell the person to rid themselves of everything pertaining to their old, sinful way of life or find a way to transform them into something “Christian”? According to Augustine of Canterbury,
The heathen temples of these people need not be destroyed, only the idols which are to be found in them…. If the temples are well-built, it is a good idea to detach them from the service of the devil, and to adapt them for the worship of the true God…. And since the people are accustomed, when they assemble for sacrifice, to kill many oxen in sacrifice to the devils, it seems reasonable to appoint a festival for the people by way of exchange. The people must learn to slay their cattle not in honor of the devil, but in honor of God and for their own food…. If we allow them these outwards joys, they are more likely to find their way to the true inner joy…. It is doubtless impossible to cut off all abuses at once from rough hearts, just as a man who sets out to climb a high mountain does not advance by leaps and bounds, but goes upward step by step and pace by pace.
So what do you think? Is Augustine right?
