Conquest And Christianization

Re-evaluates the political integration and Christianization of Saxony following its violent conquest (772-804) by Charlemagne.

This study provides a comprehensive critical inquiry of the exploration, conquest, and evangelization of the Americas by Spain from Columbus's first voyage to the death of Las Casas. The author examines the conflicting interpretations of Columbus and presents the narrative of conquest along with that of native resistance, genocide, and the introduction of African slavery. Traboulay also describes and analyzes the struggles, arguments, achievements, and failures of Las Casas and others. By focusing on both Columbus and Las Casas, the author seeks to present a broader perspective of the conquest without diminishing the tragedy that occurred. Contents: Preface; Columbus: The Legend; Columbus: The Enterprise of the Indies; Resistance, Death: Slavery; The Voyages: European Hegemony and World History; The Mission to Christianize; Sixteenth Century Scholasticism: The Influence of Vitoria; Alonso de la Vera Cruz, Colonial Universities, and the Rights of Native Americans; Alonso de Zorita and the Rationality of the Native Americans; Bartolome de Las Casas and the Issues of the Great Debate of 1550-51; Epilogue; Bibliography; Index.

Conflict, Conquest, and Conversion surveys two thousand years of the Christian missionary enterprise in the Middle East within the context of the region's political evolution. Its broad, rich narrative follows Christian missions as they interacted with imperial powers and as the momentum of religious change shifted from Christianity to Islam and back, adding new dimensions to the history of the region and the nature of the relationship between the Middle East and the West. Historians and political scientists increasingly recognize the importance of integrating religion into political analysis, and this volume, using long-neglected sources, uniquely advances this effort. It surveys Christian missions from the earliest days of Christianity to the present, paying particular attention to the role of Christian missions, both Protestant and Catholic, in shaping the political and economic imperialism of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Eleanor H. Tejirian and Reeva Spector Simon delineate the ongoing tensions between conversion and the focus on witness and "good works" within the missionary movement, which contributed to the development and spread of nongovernmental organizations. Through its conscientious, systematic study, this volume offers an unparalleled encounter with the social, political, and economic consequences of such trends.

Intro -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. From Reconstruction to Regeneration -- 2. Christianization of America in the World -- 3. Blessed Are the Peacemakers -- 4. New World Order -- 5. A Tale of Two Exceptionalisms -- 6. The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Woodrow Wilson -- Conclusion: Formulations of Church and State -- Notes -- References -- Index.

"This little book of the spiritual way has not been 'made' in any mechanical sense; it has been born out of inward necessity. At the risk of getting myself into doubtful company I might claim for myself the testimony of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, 'For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me'. And his fear that if he did not speak he must, as a new bottle, 'burst asunder' is well understood by me. The sight of the languishing church around me and the operations of a new spiritual power within me have set up a pressure impossible to resist. Whether or not the book ever reaches a wide public, still it has to be written if for no other reason than to relieve an unbearable burden on my heart."

In the weave of world history, a complex and fascinating thread winds through the long centuries, a deliberate and calculated assimilation of cultures and religions as a strategy of infiltration and expansion of the influence of Christianity. While this expansion was nothing less than a cultural conquering on an utterly massive scale, it is often overlooked, and its consequences are barely understood. We are here to explore the heart of this web of cultural assimilation within Christianity, examining its role as a strategic weapon in the armory of faith expansion. Christian history has a variety of violent conquests; this book delves into the subtle tactics of syncretism and other methods used to infiltrate, subvert, and ultimately convert competing faiths and cultures. While this book will cover a long and varied history of cultures and religions, we will heavily explore the Northern European and Scandinavian realms. The rugged landscapes and formidable belief systems brought unique challenges and opportunities for innovative tactics by Christian missionaries and leaders. There, we will uncover remarkable stories of adaptation and transformation. We will also address why these regions were singled out as a crucible for these strategies and what we can learn from them. Join us as we embark on this intriguing journey to uncover answers and insights into the strategic expansion of Christianity.