That They All May be One?
Jean Bokeleale and US Protestant Missionary Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1965–1972
In: Social Sciences and MissionsIn the late 1960s and early 1970s, Congolese pastor Jean Bokeleale’s church union movement divided US Protestant missionaries. Bokeleale’s goal of uniting all Congolese Protestant churches was sanctioned by Congolese leader Mobutu Sese Seko, and Bokeleale relied on cultural nationalist arguments to criticize missionaries who opposed his aims. Liberal missionaries gave financial assistance to Bokeleale and criticized evangelicals opposed to church union. Evangelical missionaries denounced Bokeleale as a demagogue, similar to Western criticism of Congolese prime minister Patrice Lumumba. This essay examines how missionary discussion of Bokeleale reveals debates over the role of missionaries in an independent Congo.
Purchase
Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Institutional Login
Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials
Personal login
Log in with your brill.com account
-
14
David Gerrard, “The Protestant Church in Congo: The Mobutu Years and Their Impact,” Journal of Religion in Africa 43 (2013), pp. 131–166.
-
29
Ibid., p, 3.
-
37
On this reform, see Young and Turner, Zairian State, pp. 277–280.
-
38
Jean Bokeleale to Robert Nelson, 22 July 1967, Folder Correspondence General Secretary Disciples of Christ of Congo 1967, Department of Overseas Missions, United Christian Missionary Society, Box 15, Church of Christ in the Congo, 1932–1969, DCHS.
-
43
Jean Bokeleale to Robert Nelson, 8 June 1968, Folder Correspondence General Secretary Disciples of Christ of Congo 1968, Department of Overseas Missions, United Christian Missionary Society, Box 15, Church of Christ in the Congo, 1932–1969, DCHS.
-
44
Jean Bokeleale to Robert Nelson, 23 June 1967, Folder Correspondence General Secretary Disciples of Christ of Congo 1967, Box 15, Congo, Africa Department United Christian Missionary Society, DCHS.
-
46
Ibid., p. 199.
-
73
Milton Baker to Clyde Taylor, 8 November 1971, Folder 16-6, EFMA, Collection 165, BGCA.
-
79
Ivan Erlich to J.H. Epp, 26 May 1969, EFMA, Folder 16-6, Collection 165, BGCA.
-
80
Milton Baker to Clyde Taylor. 3 March 1970, EFMA, Folder 16-6, Collection 165, BGCA.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 262 | 71 | 2 |
| Full Text Views | 197 | 2 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 16 | 4 | 0 |
That They All May be One?
Jean Bokeleale and US Protestant Missionary Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1965–1972
In: Social Sciences and MissionsIn the late 1960s and early 1970s, Congolese pastor Jean Bokeleale’s church union movement divided US Protestant missionaries. Bokeleale’s goal of uniting all Congolese Protestant churches was sanctioned by Congolese leader Mobutu Sese Seko, and Bokeleale relied on cultural nationalist arguments to criticize missionaries who opposed his aims. Liberal missionaries gave financial assistance to Bokeleale and criticized evangelicals opposed to church union. Evangelical missionaries denounced Bokeleale as a demagogue, similar to Western criticism of Congolese prime minister Patrice Lumumba. This essay examines how missionary discussion of Bokeleale reveals debates over the role of missionaries in an independent Congo.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 262 | 71 | 2 |
| Full Text Views | 197 | 2 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 16 | 4 | 0 |