Two Northeast Indian communities with similar histories of colonization accepted Congregational and Moravian missionaries; respectively; within five years of one another: the Mohicans of Stockbridge; Massachusetts (1735); and Shekomeko; in Dutchess County; New York (1740). In To Live upon Hope; Rachel Wheeler explores the question of what "missionary Christianity" became in the hands of these two native communities.The Mohicans of Stockbridge and Shekomeko drew different conclusions from their experiences with colonial powers. Both tried to preserve what they deemed core elements of Mohican culture. The Indians of Stockbridge believed education in English cultural ways was essential to their survival and cast their acceptance of the mission project as a means of preserving their historic roles as cultural intermediaries. The Mohicans of Shekomeko; by contrast; sought new sources of spiritual power that might be accessed in order to combat the ills that came with colonization; such as alcohol and disease.Through extensive research; especially in the Moravian records of day-to-day life; Wheeler offers an understanding of the lived experience of Mohican communities under colonialism. She complicates the understanding of eighteenth-century American Christianity by demonstrating that mission programs were not always driven by the destruction of indigenous culture and the advancement of imperial projects. To Live upon Hope challenges the prevailing view of accommodation or resistance as the two poles of Indian responses to European colonization. Colonialism placed severe strains on native peoples; Wheeler finds; yet Indians also exercised a level of agency and creativity that aided in their survival.
#1221390 in Books Philip C Almond 2014-08-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.75 x 5.75 x 1.25l; .0 #File Name: 0801453372296 pagesThe Devil A New Biography
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great in depth study of the prince of darknessBy jokerjonjGreat in depth study of the prince of darkness. From all prospectives. A great study tool for anyone in ministry.11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Not a light book-it is an academic book but very interesting.By CeliaThe book is not really a “biography†rather it is about the history of thought about the Devil from the beginning of Christianity until about two hundred fifty years ago when according to the author he became much less important in Western culture.While; I learned a lot from this book it not the easiest book to read. It is intended to be a scholarly book and it is put out by an academic publishing company. Some of the West’s greatest theologians; religious leaders and philosophers tried to understand the nature of the Devil. Also in Demonology as any other aspect of study there are contrasting points of views. An example of a belief that has been of subject of controversy in Demonology is whether than Devil is purely spiritual or whether he has a corporal existence.However; until I read this book I really had no idea of whom the Devil was. Of course; I knew he was a supernatural force of evil and I read about him in literature. I played the Devil in school in play The Devil and Daniel Webster but I did not know about his origins. I was raised in a very liberal Reform Jewish environment where I was told that Jews did not believe in angels; demons/Satan and miracles.According to this book; the Devil/Satan/Lucifer was an angel who turned against God. Before the world and humans were created God and Angels existed. Lucifer/Satan turned against God of his own free will and choice evil. About a third of the angels sided with Satan. These angels became demons. There was some controversy in early Christianity whether the Devil could ever repent but most demonologists seem to think this was not possible. Demons floated throughout the air and could possess humans.Many Christians thought the serpent who tempted Eve was Satan in the Old Testament. The book describes Satan’s role in the New Testament much of which I did not understand since I am not that familiar with the New Testament since I am not Christian. However; I learn that Christians believed that during Christ’s second coming Satan and his followers will be sent forever to hell.Nowadays when people speak of “demonizing†one’s political opponents it is usually meant as a metaphor and not meant to be taken at face value. However; the early Christians felt that Devil working through opponents of Christianity and this where the idea of "demonizing" the opposition started.Magic slowly becomes connected to Satan. St. Augustine believed that all magic was the work of the Devil. If my understanding of the book is correct Thomas Aquinas and some later Christians said the Devil was only involved in magic if Satan was called to assist with the magic being performed.Satan worshiping starts developing in about the twelve century. Then the book describes how witches were understood by the Catholics and later by the Protestants. Witches originally could either be male or female but in time were seen as mostly female. Witches were believed to have made a pact with Satan and renounced Christianity as part of their agreement with Satan. Witches were believed to kill children and then smear the children’s fat onto an object so they could fly.The Devil was believed to have had sex with the witches. There are some pretty hot sex scenes described between the Devil and the Witches. There was controversy on whether the Devil could have sex with men. Early Demonologists felt that since the Devil was a fallen angel he still possessed some angelic traits. Therefore; he would not want to commit sodomy (i.e. anal and non-reproductive sex). However; later Demonologists disagreed and felt the Devil could be bisexual.Again there was various controversies about Witches and their nature. When the Reformation came to Europe there were Protestants and Catholics have differing ideas about how to handle both Witches and persons who were possessed by the Devil.Even though most Protestants at the start of the Reformation believed in the Devil; the Reformation contributed to an intellectual climate where the belief in Devil could be challenged. Many Protestants believed miracles stopped happening after the year 300(this belief in part was to undercut the authority of the miracles of the Catholic Church). With this questioning of miracles and a stronger belief in science major thinkers such and Spinoza and Hume started to question the existence of the Devil.I was a bit disappointed that the book stopped at 1700 because I was left with many questions about what happened to the Devil after that time. How did Witches become acceptable in children’s stories? The early description of Witches seem to me to be for only for Adults. How did “magic†become acceptable as children’s entertainment?Also the author left me the impression that Devil was like the Greek or Roman Gods; no one believes in him now. I don’t think this is true. The Devil has standing in some Christian Churches and in Boston I know there are some Devil worshiping societies. I wished the author could give some kind of roundup of the Devil’s present standing in the world.Thus; I the book The Devil: A New Biography has some highly interesting materials it is an academic book and not a light or easy read.0 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Academic book we are studying on Wednesday nights at our ...By Seasoned with GraceAcademic book we are studying on Wednesday nights at our church. Our pastor is also a professor and finds unique studies for us.
