Taking a Second Look at a Shameful History
Colonialism and Slavery- What Do I Believe and Why?
I believe that humans are predisposed to try to dominate each other in a misplaced attempt to have dominion over the earth. It is an extension of our miss-ordered loves- a belief that if in charge, we can do it better, and deserve to be at the top of the heap, and in the process, an attempt to take God’s place as being in control.
I see colonialism and slavery organized attempts of one group in an advantageous position to control another, less advantaged group. This is done to reap economic benefits while bolstering personal reputation and comfort. Frequently, these efforts are masked as being merciful or benevolent to the subordinate group, and, often, those groups will see benefits in education and technology, but this does not represent the underlying intention of the effort or the devastating cultural results and does not justify this immoral practice.
Nothing New Under the Sun
The history of colonialism is nearly as old as humanity, though we often represent certain instances as being morally worse than others. It seems apparent to me that slavery and the attempt of one human to dominate the other will continue as long as our sin nature is in play. As an example, in his book American Colonies, Alan Taylor chronicles the presence of slavery prior to European influence. In one example, regarding Pacific Northwest Coast tribes, he notes “In the late eighteenth century, European visitors calculated that at least a fifth of the raincoats inhabitants were slaves.”[1] One society unjustly dominating another is immoral regardless of the perpetrator. This makes the discussion around reparations and reconciliation seem impossible.
A Scriptural View
When considering the incidence of slavery throughout history, it is interesting to layer that historical truth with Paul’s victorious claim that we as Christians have become slaves to righteousness, holiness and God, Himself:
I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
Romans 6: 19-22
With the horrendous realities of slavery, how can we celebrate the achieving the status of slaves? There is a lot to unpack here but I will leave it with the thought that the slavery we take on as Christians is one of a willing submission rather than a victimized dominance; a reflection of the willing sacrifice that our Savior made for us on the cross. It seems fair to say that a lot of sin in the world is a counterfeit of what Christ is promising us when he reconciles creation to Himself. Perhaps the humanistic tendency to colonize and enslave is a cheap imitation of the willing enslavement we endeavor to offer to our Lord Christ Jesus. Maybe we could also say that from an eternal perspective, there is a misplaced connection between our striving for colonizing and our longing for Christ’s reference to “Your Kingdom Come.”
Reflection on Colonialism and A Brief History of Slavery
In this week’s assignment reading of Nigel Biggar’s Colonialism[2] and Jeremy Black’s Slavery, [3] I found that both authors believed that the concepts of Colonialism and Slavery should be regarded in a broader context than they are in the zeitgeist. In other words: the moral pitfalls associated with colonialism and slavery are not isolated to the occurrence of each in Western history, more specifically in the history of Britain and the United States. This was not a revelation to me, but I did find it striking that each of the authors were compelled to respond to what they believe to be a narrowed view of historical injustices. This makes me think back to our reading last year of the Cancelling of the American Mind[4] as well as Maps of Meaning[5], and the way that we shape our narratives. While I agree with the authors on substance, I perceived a defensive stance, which makes their argument feel less academic and more reactive. Certainly, with the type of censure that Biggar describes in his introduction[6],I am not sure that this type of emotional reactionary stance is avoidable.
Role of Consent
Reading these two books side-by-side has made me think more about how I want to consider the acts of colonization and slavery together. While the two concepts are similar in that they involve an exercise of power of one group over another, it has sharpened for me that they are distinctive, and offer different ethical dilemmas. Perhaps it is worthwhile to consider Beggar’s assertions that the act of colonization was not purely bad[7]. Indeed, he claims it would not have been successful if those being colonized were not willing participants[8]. Although I would need to see more evidence to fully swallow this claim, it does make me wonder what the role of consent plays in determining if an act has merit.
Returning To Christ’s Prayer
Your kingdom come, Your will be done as Earth as it is in Heaven.
What is the real desire when we hear a call for reparations? Is it to make things fair? Or is it to recognize the pain that has been caused by greed, power and dominance? (In his prayer, Christ is not praying for a practical solution. When we join with Him in this prayer, we are asking for a miracle. A miracle that works in God’s economy, not in our own. I don’t know how Christ will work to level the scales to create justice. I just know that I need to be ready to do my part in that leveling when He asks.
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[1] Alan Taylor, American Colonies (New York: Viking, 2001), 473.
[2] Nigel Biggar, Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning (London: William Collins, 2023).
[3] Jeremy Black, A Brief History of Slavery (Running Press, 2011).
[4] Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott, The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All—But There Is a Solution (Simon & Schuster, 2023).
[5] Jordan B. Peterson, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, 1st ed. (Oxford: Routledge, 1999).
[6] Biggar, Colonialism, 1–12.
[7] Biggar, 283.
[8] Biggar, 288.
About the Author
Jennifer Vernam
11 responses to “Taking a Second Look at a Shameful History”
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This was an insightful post. I’m especially going to remember your initial thought that at the root of slavery is “a misplaced attempt to have dominion over the earth. It is an extension of our miss-ordered loves- a belief that if in charge, we can do it better…” Indeed this is the root of so many of our struggles and injustices as humans!
I agree, Kim. This is what is maybe the most scary thing about slavery… the mindset of “I can do it better” is one that any of us can fall into. It is so easy to try to put ourselves ahead of God…
I love this: “In his prayer, Christ is not praying for a practical solution.”
When talking about reparations or many types of restorative justice, the argument is often “that’s just not practical.”
I get the argument but what a fantastic reminder that so much of what Jesus calls us to doesn’t have it’s foundation in something practical but approaches the world in a way that transcends the natural order of things.
Thanks for the reminder, Jenn. I’m wrestling with how to couple slavery and colonialism, too, and trying to figure out where I land on where the good was in the middle of so much that was bad.
One again you captured insights that were profound.
I loved the way you drew us to the idea of “consent” – dang, that’s good.
Oh, and this is worth the whole blog post…your first sentence: “I believe that humans are predisposed to try to dominate each other in a misplaced attempt to have dominion over the earth.”
Good work!
Thanks, John. As I wrote this post, the words “there is nothing new under the sun” kept popping into my mind, but it seemed too trite of a sentiment- almost like it diminishes the real pain associated with this chapter in our history. But it is true- slavery is really just another verse in the same song of our sin nature.
Hi Jennifer,
Great post. You said, “…it does make me wonder what the role of consent plays in determining if an act has merit.” There certainly was some manner of consent to the agreements made between colonizers and the nations they colonized. I’m not sure the terms were clear and the benefits equal but it makes me wonder what the motivation behind allowing one’s nation to be colonized. Was it fear, threat, curiosity, greed or something else? It makes me want to go back and read a little more history.
I’m jumping in on Jenny’s comment, mostly just to admit my own ignorance. I guess I don’t know much about the agreements between the colonizers and the colonized. You’ve made me curious to find out more!
Yes! I am also curious. And then I question and implications of consent on other types of enslavement we subject ourselves to because we believe that on the other side lies a better life. Debt could be one example…what are some others?
My curiosity got me. I keep looking things up related to colonialism. It seems treaties were established for a variety of reasons that likely promoted colonization. They were often trade agreements, but also were made because of threats of violence or because of devastating attacks on local populations. In modern times, is it much different?
I think in terms of trade and the influence that brings to modernizing or westernizing other cultures. I’m not a fan, though I’m reaping the benefits of a much easier lifestyle in a former British colony (Malaysia) in which English is so widely spoken I only have to use my Bahasa if I want to. Is language an implication? Are we still “colonizing” through the now widespread use of the English language?
Hi Jennifer,
Your post and reflection are very enlightening and inspiring. I read your standpoint regarding colonialism and slavery. You provide a review that raises awareness to be human for others. I also like your reflection at the end of your post. I resonate with it. Part of Christ’s prayer says, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” It is a prayer sentence with a profound meaning if Christians truly realize their calling. Christ deserves us and appoints us as friends, brothers, and disciples who should only and only do what is the will of the Father in heaven to be done on earth. Of course, the struggle to eradicate colonialism and modern slavery is an integral part of Christ’s prayer, right? Blessings.
Jen,
Your first paragraph struck me! You wrote, “I believe that humans are predisposed to try to dominate each other in a misplaced attempt to have dominion over the earth. It is an extension of our miss-ordered loves- a belief that if in charge, we can do it better, and deserve to be at the top of the heap, and in the process, an attempt to take God’s place as being in control.” It is a lot to digest. I would really like to talk with you about this. I just don’t think that we are predisposed to try to dominate…I think it is learned behavior. I think the predisposition is to love one another.