heavens are changing, The
Book Description
In The Heavens Are Changing, Susan Neylan reveals a profound story of spiritual transformation and cultural negotiation that unfolds along the rugged coastline of nineteenth-century British Columbia. This compelling exploration examines how the Tsimshian people actively engaged with Protestant missionaries between 1857 and 1901, creating a complex dialogue that reshaped both indigenous traditions and Christian practice.
Rather than presenting a one-sided narrative of religious conversion, Neylan illuminates how Aboriginal communities became powerful agents in defining their own spiritual paths. Through careful examination of worship practices, naming ceremonies, and daily mission life, she demonstrates how the Tsimshian people developed their own authentic forms of evangelicalism while maintaining essential cultural identities.
The book draws from both Euro-Canadian missionary records and Aboriginal writings to present multiple perspectives on this spiritual encounter. Readers discover how Christian meanings were continuously challenged and redefined through revivalism and community evangelism, creating an indigenized Christianity that reflected Tsimshian values and worldviews.
This scholarly yet accessible work offers valuable insights for anyone interested in understanding how spiritual traditions adapt and evolve through cross-cultural exchange. Neylan's research exposes the unequal power dynamics inherent in missionization while honoring the agency and wisdom of indigenous peoples in shaping their own religious destinies. The result is a nuanced portrait of faith, resistance, and transformation that speaks to universal themes of spiritual seeking and cultural identity.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~11 hours)
📄 Length: 401 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Episcopal church, missions
- ✓ Explore Histoire
- ✓ Explore Églises protestantes
- ✓ Explore Indians of north america, missions
- ✓ Explore Tsimshian Indians
- ✓ Explore Protestant churches
- ✓ Explore Missions
- ✓ Explore Religion
