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The Development of Baptist Thought in the Jamaican Context

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THE DEVELOPMENT OF BAPTIST THOUGHT IN THE JAMAICAN CONTEXT A Case Study by MICHAEL OLIVER FISHER Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Theology) Acadia University Spring Convocation 2010 © by MICHAEL OLIVER FISHER, 2010. CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS………………………………………………...................................…………… vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS…………………………………………………………….………………..…. vii ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………………………….…...… viii INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………....……………..... 1 CHAPTERS: 1. BAPTIST LIFE AND THOUGHT AS CONTEXT…………………………………………... 5 1.1 The Polygenetic Nature of Baptist Origins……………….…………… 7 1.2 A Genetic History of Baptist Thought…………………………………… 13 1.3 General Patterns in Baptist Thought…………………………….…….... 25 1.4 Relevant Themes in Baptist Life and Thought……......………...…... 34 2. THE HISTORY OF BAPTISTS IN JAMAICA………………….…………………………....... 41 2.1 A Chronological History of Jamaica………………..…………..………… 42 2.2 An Introduction to the Baptist Mission……....……………….………… 51 2.2.1 American Influences…………………..…………………………….. 53 2.2.2 British Influences……………………...……………………………… 59 2.3 The Development of the Baptist Mission in Jamaica...………….…. 72 3. FOUNDATIONS OF AFRO‐CHRISTIAN THOUGHT IN JAMAICA……………….… 91 3.1 Bases of Jamaican Religious Thought………………………...………..... 93 3.1.1 African Religious Traditions……………………………...….…… 94 3.1.2 Missiological Religious Thought…………………………….…... 101 3.2 The Great Revival and the Rise of Afro‐Christian Theology......... 118 3.3 Features of Jamaica Religious Thought…………………………...….…. 129 iv 4. A GENETIC HISTORY OF JAMAICAN BAPTIST THOUGHT………………………... 137 4.1 Missionary Theologians………………………………………………….……. 139 4.2 Highlighting Notable Jamaican “Hermeneutists”………………….… 144 4.3 Sources of Jamaican Baptist Thought……………………………………. 156 4.4 Major Themes and Practices in Jamaican Baptist Thought……... 174 CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 193 WORKS CITED………………………………………………………………………………………………... 199 v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted for the unflagging support, constructive criticism, and encouragement of my supervisor, Dr. William Brackney. First, thank you for recommending this work. It has helped me to develop a greater appreciation for the religious beliefs and practices that are so significant in my home country of Jamaica. Also your wealth of knowledge and critical advice has contributed greatly to the final copy of this work and has created much interest in related topics. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Eleanor Wint of Dalhousie University. Your wealth of knowledge on West Indian culture and society added significant credibility to the final work. Also, thank you to Emmanuel Anom For your tedious hours of revision. Thanks also to the examiners whose critique has helped to make this thesis a more refined presentation. I am also very appreciative of the support and patience that the staff at Emmanuel Baptist Church have demonstrated as I labored in this venture. Also, thanks to the numerous friends and family members who encouraged me to “hurry and get this thesis done.” Finally, I am thankful for the encouragement of the Holy Spirit in all those times when the work seemed overwhelming. His comfort and close companionship has aided me in the times I needed it most. In this, as in all things, He has been my most faithful and constant supporter and I am indebted to Him for his fellowship. vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS BMS Baptist Missionary Society (London) BWA Baptist World Alliance CCJCA Caribbean Council for Joint Christian Action JBMS Jamaica Baptist Missionary Society JBU Jamaica Baptist Union JCC Jamaica Council of Churches JEMM Jamaica Ecumenical Mutual Mission JLP Jamaica Labour Party JBWF Jamaica Baptist Women’s Federation LMS London Missionary Society MCCA Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas PNP People’s National Party UCJCI United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands UCWI University College of the West Indies UTCWI United Theological College of the West Indies UWI University of the West Indies (Mona Campus) WCC World Council of Churches vii ABSTRACT The development of theology in Jamaica must be understood in the broader context of Baptist thought. In highlighting Baptist contribution to Jamaica we discover that Baptist missionaries often opposed the aristocrat oligarchy and sided with the marginalized slave population. In doing so, Baptists rejected English nationalism and pledged their support to the establishment of churches, educational institutions, and native settlements in Jamaica. Furthermore, missionary efforts helped procure the abolition of slavery and subsequently, the nation’s independence from colonial rule. A variety of native movements resulted in the establishment of an independent “Native Baptist” church and the formation and development of religious traditions that continue to practice a syncretism of African and Christian religious beliefs. This produced a unique theological tradition which transcended the borders of Jamaica and effected similar development throughout the Caribbean and later, to other parts of the world. viii INTRODUCTION “Out of Many One People” is the motto underscoring the Jamaican National Crest. The sentiment these words evoke is deeply enshrined in the fabric of Jamaican culture. Moreover, the syncretic religious pluralism it suggests dominates every facet of Jamaican existence and, more pertinently, the theological framework of Jamaica’s religious lifestyle. Thus, while there are many different denominations represented throughout Jamaica, there is an indelible feeling of consensus that says “we are one,” and that, regardless of our differences, our history and ensuing experiences have managed to fuse us together into one common whole, to the glory of God the Father. The population of Jamaica is strongly Christian, but a large number of islanders adhere to other faiths. According to Jamaica’s 2001 census date, 61.3% of the population is Protestant while over 10% appeal to other beliefs, including spiritual cults. Baptists (7%) rank fourth among protestant denominations after the Church of God (24%), Seventh‐Day Adventist (11%), and Pentecostal (10%) traditions. Within the Jamaica Baptist Union there are over 322 churches, with 118 pastors and approximately 40,000 “communicant” members. Since the arrival of the first American and British missionaries to the island, Baptists have continued to be a significant thread in the rich tapestry of Christian thought in Jamaica. This study aims to evaluate and highlight the invaluable contribution that Baptists have made in the historical and ongoing syncretistic development of Jamaican religious life and thought. It also provides a clear representation of the 1 THE DEVELOPMENT OF BAPTIST THOUGHT IN THE JAMAICAN CONTEXT Jamaican religious model and gives a skeletal formula for further developing a systematic representation of theology in the Caribbean region. The contextual history of Baptist theology is essential to understanding Baptist development in the Jamaican cultural climate. Investigating the “evolution” of Baptist life and thought helps us to develop an appreciation for the polygenetic nature with which Baptists must now define their identity. In addition, we learn to further comprehend the impact that various sources have had on the formation of certain doctrines specific to the Baptist tradition. One must also take into consideration that such sources originated in different geographical cultures and contexts. By so doing, we become more sensitive to the rich diversity that exists within the family of Baptist organizations. As a prolegomenon, this survey is an important, informative supplement of the analysis of Jamaican religiosity. The history of religious thought in Jamaica is intimately related to the history of Jamaica as a nation. Because Baptist thought was practiced in a culture countercurrent to either the American or English missionary system, it is important to look at the institution of slavery as relevant to the whole discussion. By looking at the chronological history of Jamaica, the development of the Baptist mission and the overall progress of Afro‐Christian thought after emancipation, a clear case is laid out for further understanding of Christian thought in Jamaica. The denominationally pluralistic theology of Jamaican society is not solely the work of Baptist missionaries. Africans, Moravians, Methodists, Presbyterians, and others also made valuable contributions to the overall makeup of the island’s religious 2 Introduction culture. Religion has since occupied a central place in the life of Jamaicans. However, this achievement was not without its share of conflicts. In particular, the European religious model often sought to eradicate the evidences of African expressions in favor of a more “civilized” society. Nevertheless, Africans saw great value in the coexistence of both traditions. Furthermore, revivalistic fervor led to a greater increase in the proliferation of many immature Christians who considered it suitable and acceptable to practice concomitantly, both religious traditions. This dilemma was central in the formation of relationships between the different missionary institutions. The necessary cooperative partnerships produced numerous essential educational, social, and religious institutions that continue to aid in producing clergy and missionaries of African descent and the overall development of the native population. As we evaluate the development of Baptist life and thought in
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