Protestant missions and earth-keeping in southern Africa 1817--2000

The problem this dissertation addresses is the need for a clearer understanding of the theory and praxis of Protestant missions in conservation and earth-keeping. The dissertation's thesis is that, far from being a neglected topic in missionary thought and practice, earth-keeping has been integral to modern Protestant missions in Southern Africa from 1817 to 2000.; Chapter one demonstrates the significance of this research for missiology, theology, and church history, and in relation to Richard Grove's and Jean and John L. Comaroffs' important studies of Protestant agricultural missions and conservation in South Africa. The case studies in chapters two through five substantiate the thesis. Chapter two provides historical proof of Robert Moffat's role as a leading missionary agriculturalist, naturalist, and conservationist among the Tswana of Southern Africa from 1817 to 1870. Chapter three identifies John Croumbie Brown's major roles as missionary, Colonial Botanist, and environmental activist in nineteenth century South Africa and the world. Chapter four articulates the theory, strategy, and practice of agricultural mission led by the American Methodist Episcopal Church in Rhodesia and explains the central role of earth care for its mission from 1897 to 1939. Chapter five unveils Marthinus Daneel's earth-keeping praxis and contextualized environmental theology of mission in Zimbabwe from 1988 to 2000, focusing on his work as founder of ZIRRCON (Zimbabwean Institute of Religious Research and Ecological Conservation), a grass roots, inter-faith movement of Shona traditional religionists and African Independent Churches devoted to tree planting, wildlife conservation, and water conservation.; Chapter six compares and contrasts these four case studies in light of the missionaries' diverse national, ethnic, and ecclesial backgrounds; political contexts on the mission field; earth-keeping praxis; environmental theology; attitudes towards African traditional religion; and understanding of the scope of Christian mission. All four case studies confirm that Protestant missions in Southern Africa from 1817 to 2000 emphasized a holistic understanding of salvation that linked individual, social, and ecological redemption in the mission of the church. Earth care in the form of agricultural missions and conservation has been intrinsic to Protestant mission since its inception, although ecclesial theological interpretations and practices have changed over time.