The Toxic Inheritance—Why We Can't Separate Mission from Colonialism

The Toxic Inheritance—Why We Can't Separate Mission from Colonialism

Following my initial reflection, the question becomes: How did the modern church structure become so prone to "empire DNA?" Harvey Kwiyani, Ph.D.’s Decolonizing Mission answers this by diving into the Western Captivity of Theology—the uncomfortable historical truth that the Christianity passed down to us for the last few centuries was inextricably linked to colonization and whiteness.

This is what Kwiyani terms Theological Colonialism (TC). TC isn't just about bad methods; it's about a systematic process where theology itself was pressed into service for imperial goals.

The starkest example is the Slave Bible, which deliberately omitted scriptures about freedom and equality to create a "conducive environment for colonization." When the very tool of liberation (the Bible) is selectively edited to justify oppression, you realize the theological foundations are compromised.

This forces a crucial self-examination: If theology was used to explain colonialism, how can it also be used to justify evangelism?

For me, this explains the tension when Christian leaders use the Bible to enforce unyielding control. When certain Greek words (like Anagkazo or Harpazo) or early church historical patterns are used to demand absolute obedience, enforce centralized control, or dismiss dissent, we must ask if we are authentically interpreting scripture, or simply echoing the systemic dominance ingrained by colonial theology.

The problem isn't just behavioral; it's historical and theological. We must acknowledge that our inherited interpretations often carry the biases of the Empire, which prevents us from practicing the radical, non-coercive love of Christ.

hashtag#DecolonizingMission is not about tearing down; it’s about tearing open the historical layers to find the pure gospel underneath.

Guiding Light Press, 4th Floor, Silverstream House, 45 Fitzroy Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 6EB.

Join the Discussion:
What specific theological or scriptural interpretations have you observed in modern Christian practice that still carry the legacy of Theological Colonialism (e.g., prosperity gospel, unquestioning authority)? How do we, as global Christians, break free from the Western Captivity of Theology?

Get a copy of Harvey Kwiyani’s book to join this essential conversation.

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