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Creating Christian Indians: Native Clergy in the Presbyterian Church

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This study shows how Nez Perce converts to Christianity had to stand on their own and provide leadership to their churches after missionary Henry Spalding departed in the 1850s. To the chagrin of some traditionalists in the Presbyterian church, these churches and their leaders often departed from what they considered "proper" theology and their ministers had minimal training, but the churches continued to speak to and for tribal members--and they still do today, the 113th annual Talmaks Camp Meeting will be held on the reservation this summer.

I lived in Idaho for a brief time in my high school years and was introduced to the Nez Pierce culture and history as part of the Idaho school curriculum. I found this book interesting and educational as it related what the Nez Pierce and some other Native peoples did with the Christian tradition rather than simply discussing what missionary Christianity did to Native communities. The latter is, of course, a very important study; however, I've not run across much in print regarding the former and appreciated the information in this book.

First off, the very first thing that must be conquered in a book like this is to prove that Christianity is the one true religion. Of course, this can't be done and for a very good reason. It is a man-made religion like all the others. So now, where does that leave us? Since Christianity is based on a fallacy, what exactly does it mean to be a Christian? And since the Indians were not presented with other religions while CAPTIVES on the reservations, but only with Christianity (in one of several variations), the playing field was not exactly fair. And in truth, we have to wonder if it was really necessary to have them change their native beliefs for ANY other religion. After all, who are we to say that their native beliefs were deficient. Change or additions to one's beliefs should be by choice and anyone who thinks that what happened to the Indians was pure choice has a warped sense of reality. So the way I see it, this is one of the greatest crimes in the last several hundred years. And to try and put a positive spin on it is truly absurd.