Written by: Daren Jaime on October 9, 2025

Growing up, I don’t remember hearing the word Colonialism in school, although we were taught about the various occurrences in America and beyond. In my formative years, American colonialism was portrayed with words such as settlers, pioneers, and the like. The understanding I initially had centered around an exploration mission leading to the expansion of America today, and not colonialism.

My perspectives have been shaped through education, culture, and lived experience as an African American raised in the inner city. Academically, studying leadership and history has deepened my understanding of power, justice, and human frailty. Culturally, my community’s resilience and faith traditions have taught me the sacredness of survival and the beauty of collective strength. Theologically, I see history now through the lens of redemption, God working through broken people and systems. From an emotional standpoint, topics like slavery, racism, and inequality evoke both grief and determination. My beliefs are grounded in personal conviction while remaining open to being challenged and stretched, even if it is uncomfortably.

Colonialism: Moral Reckoning and Complex Legacy

Nigel Biggar argues that colonialism, though often demonized in the public sphere, was not a monolith of evil. As he acknowledges the injustices and atrocities, he also points to how colonialism also produced progress. He writes, “The empire was morally mixed: sometimes good, sometimes bad, often both at once.” Looking at Colonialism from another lens is a challenge for some, and admittedly, it was never my intention to see it from that perspective. Kathryn Schultz, in her book Being Wrong, makes this observation. We assume that other people are ignorant because we assume that we are not. We think we know the facts. 109 Biggar also challenges us to resist presentism by reminding us that history is always lived in shades of grey.

The Global and Ongoing Reality of Slavery

As an African American from the inner city, my understanding of slavery has long been shaped by the trauma embedded in America’s racial memory that is being infiltrated with attempts to have amnesia concerning stories of stolen labor, fractured families, and generational pain, and the abuse and murder of the innocent. However, studying slavery’s broader history across civilizations, including African kingdoms and Muslim empires, reshapes my moral lens. Human exploitation was tragically global. Hearing the Malay struggle in South Africa was an eye-opener. This harsh truth and complexity do not absolve Western colonialism; rather, it deepens accountability.

I often accused the youth I mentored of practicing selective memory as a way to escape the truth. Selective memory when it comes to history, by looking and recalling some but not all, also runs the risk of moral hypocrisy and hinders reconciliation. I think of how South Africa was able to move towards its reconciliation through the acknowledgment of past sins and wickedness. We often talk about speaking truth to power. But we need the power to tell the truth.  Truth, equity, and context for me are the foundation for fairness and justice.  Truth will expose the full story, equity ensures all voices are heard, and context prevents history from being weaponized as we see today.

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Religion, War, and Counterfactual History 

Religion played a central and pretty conflicted role in colonial expansion. Christianity and Islam were used to sanctify conquests by theological narratives of divine mandate and moral superiority. The Crusades framed warfare as a holy duty, while Islamic empires often justified expansion as spreading the faith. One point of note is what could have potentially been if the Islamic conquest of Europe had been actualized. Domination was also a huge force to be reckoned with.

Contemporary leaders must confront these histories with theological integrity and humility, acknowledging the abuse of faith in accomplishing this evil and dishonest way.

The Bible itself is steeped in colonial contexts. Israel’s story begins in bondage under Egypt, a colonial regime that enslaved and exploited foreigners. Later, empires like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome imposed successive colonial rule over God’s people. The prophets consistently raised their voices against the injustices of the empire. Colonial power hit hard in the biblical world, its consequence, loss of land, forced exile, and cultural erasure.

Biblical history has relevance today because it is a vibrant reminder that God’s people have always wrestled with colonial powers. In the New Testament, colonialism shapes the backdrop of Jesus’ ministry. We are confronted with Rome’s imperial presence everywhere, aggressive tax collectors extracting wealth on behalf of Caesar, and Roman soldiers enforcing law and order on behalf of Cesar, with striking similarities today.

Scripture acknowledges the pain of empire but also points to a new kingdom of justice, mercy, and dignity. One which anticipates the day when “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15).

The Costs and Benefits of Colonialism

Colonialism undeniably has inflicted profound moral wounds. Looking at enslavement, the erasure of culture, and exploitation, these are the major culprits. When I think of benefits, things such as legal systems, infrastructure, and educational models that shaped modern governance come to mind- but at what cost? True leadership faces uncomfortable histories that should not be justified but acknowledged. Then understanding can take root and possibly reconciliation.

About the Author

Daren Jaime

One response to “Colonialism and its Consequences”

1. Kari says:

   October 10, 2025 at 4:58 am

   Thanks, Daren, for your perspective on this. This is a great statement: “True leadership faces uncomfortable histories that should not be justified but acknowledged.” What surprised you about in the required readinigs?

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