The Gospel and Culture in Nineteenth-Century Mozambique

Abstract

In this article the interaction between gospel and African culture, as reported in the writings of Swiss missionaries at work in nineteenth-century Mozambique, is studied. A small booklet written by the famous missionary and anthropologist H. A. Junod, Causeries sur l'Afrique serves as a guide. Several conclusions are reached:

1. 1.

The unity and equality of humankind were fully recognized.

2.

Proclaiming the Gospel in a culture that is not familiar to the preacher carries the dangers of paternalism, superiority, and even hidden racism.

3.

These missionaries did not consider European culture to be Christian.

4.

African culture had a strong impact on the foreign missionaries.

5.

Foreign missionaries were completely dependent on their African colleagues to gain a true understanding of African culture and of the interaction between gospel and culture.