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Idealism Vs. Materialism in the Study of Puritan Missions To the Indians

Idealism Vs. Materialism in the Study of Puritan Missions To the Indians IDEALISM VS. MATERIALISM IN THE STUDY OF PURITAN MISSIONS TO THE INDIANS RICHARD W. COGLEY Modern critical historians find it difficult to admire the achievements of pioneer Christian missionaries in New England, New France, and New Spain. The evangelical successes of Protestant ministers and Roman Catholic friars hastened the disappearance of cultures that had once been meaningful for native Americans. But although they lament the effects of the missions on the Indians, modern historians seldom question the sincerity of the missionaries. A recent interpretation of the career of John Eliot (1604-1690), the celebrated New England Puritan missionary and millenarian known as the "Apostle to the Indians," represents a notable exception to this rule. Francis Jennings, the author of this influential interpretation, offers a materialistic evaluation of Eliot's missionary objectives. At first blush the "Apostle" seems a deserving candidate for an iconoclastic debunking. He persuaded Puritans in England to donate large sums of money to his mission; he destroyed the authority of the Indian sachems (chiefs) in order to re-organize native government; and he created reservations for the Indians shortly after he began preaching to them. Furthermore, his missionary aggressions contributed to King Philip's War, the unsuccessful Indian rebellion http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Method & Theory in the Study of Religion Brill

Idealism Vs. Materialism in the Study of Puritan Missions To the Indians

Method & Theory in the Study of Religion , Volume 3 (2): 165 – Jan 1, 1991

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Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© 1991 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
0943-3058
eISSN
1570-0682
DOI
10.1163/157006891X00175
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

IDEALISM VS. MATERIALISM IN THE STUDY OF PURITAN MISSIONS TO THE INDIANS RICHARD W. COGLEY Modern critical historians find it difficult to admire the achievements of pioneer Christian missionaries in New England, New France, and New Spain. The evangelical successes of Protestant ministers and Roman Catholic friars hastened the disappearance of cultures that had once been meaningful for native Americans. But although they lament the effects of the missions on the Indians, modern historians seldom question the sincerity of the missionaries. A recent interpretation of the career of John Eliot (1604-1690), the celebrated New England Puritan missionary and millenarian known as the "Apostle to the Indians," represents a notable exception to this rule. Francis Jennings, the author of this influential interpretation, offers a materialistic evaluation of Eliot's missionary objectives. At first blush the "Apostle" seems a deserving candidate for an iconoclastic debunking. He persuaded Puritans in England to donate large sums of money to his mission; he destroyed the authority of the Indian sachems (chiefs) in order to re-organize native government; and he created reservations for the Indians shortly after he began preaching to them. Furthermore, his missionary aggressions contributed to King Philip's War, the unsuccessful Indian rebellion

Journal

Method & Theory in the Study of ReligionBrill

Published: Jan 1, 1991

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