Anthropology has long been recognized as a useful discipline for mission studies. But what ideas does anthropological theory generate? What effects do these ideas have on mission? This article examines the concept of “primitive” and “primitiveness,” important in past anthropological theories. It shows that, though it is now discarded by anthropologists, the idea of “primitiveness” continues to exert much influence today. Since the “primitive” was an erroneous construct, its influence can only be detrimental to the cause of mission. Consequently, after pointing to specific examples, the article recommends that we avoid developing strategies based on stereotypes.
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