In my doctoral studies in history, I’d often read analyses and critiques of missionaries’ efforts to “convert” people in places where Christianity was considered a foreign religion. In these treatments, the missionary enterprise is, more often than not, held in contempt by the historians analyzing it.
(Though the authors would never say so, the subtext in many books and articles is that missionaries sort of deserved the death and torment they received in the Boxer Rebellion and similar backlashes against their work — which, of course, is not at all true from any objective and semi-human perspective.)
In any case, the emphasis is hardly ever on the message or the heartfelt motives of the missionaries but on their efforts to grow their numbers through conversion, making for a rather utilitarian understanding of their work, as well as a cynical verdict on it.
Though historians, anthropologists, sociologists, and other academics might see the missionary enterprise as merely an effort to convert people, our scripture never tells us to go out and make converts. Jesus told his followers to make disciples — something much more comprehensive than securing conversions — but even then, the motive is always profoundly more substantial than winning people to our side. In reality, it’s a mission to bless the world with God’s redeeming, renewing, restoring wisdom, power, and love.
