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Early Seventeenth Century Dutch and English Colonialism:

A Postcolonial and Historical Theology Critique

Dave Savage Social Studies

Notre Dame High School Sherman Oaks, CA

NEH  Seminar  For  School  Teachers,  2015,  London  and  Leiden    

The  Dutch  Republic  and  Britain    National  Endowment  for  the  Humanities    University  of  Massachusetts  Dartmouth  

 

The East Offering Its Riches to Britania, Spiridione Roma

Thesis Question: Might a critical study of English and Dutch colonialism,

particularly the East India Companies of both, benefit the ongoing dialogues in

postcolonial theologies?

Thesis: A comprehensive and critical analysis of the dominant theologies at

work in England and the Netherlands at the beginnings of their East Indies operations

provides a fruitful contribution to the ongoing dialogue and study within post-colonial

theology, especially when applied to comparative theology, feminist theology,

ecclesiology, as well as the period of de-colonization in modern history.

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Introduction

My interest in postcolonial theology began in 2010 as I continued studies in the

graduate theological program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Various graduate courses, among them Biblical theology and comparative theology,

provided opportunities to explore this subject in more detail. My involvement in inter-

religious dialogue with the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, as well as Muslim-

Christian dialogues, offers the opportunity to benefit from the contributions of

postcolonial theological context (most notably the predominance of Islam in Indonesia

is the paradoxical result of Christian missionary activity from the eighteenth century

onward).

The NEH seminar on the Dutch Republic and Britain in relation to modern

society and world economy introduced me to historical concepts that furthered my

interest in the religious natures of these two nations. The required reading of the

textual and primary sources challenged me to broaden my understanding of the role of

religion in Dutch and English history. In particular I found the information on the

Dutch religious debates among various groups most intriguing.

My purpose in this project is to contribute to bridge postcolonial (political) and

historical theology. As one of my theology professors observed, my aim is not to build

the Taj Mahal but rather to offer one brick. Taking that advice to heart I hope to

provide a context in which postcolonial theology and historical theology together foster

a richer conversation aimed at understanding Christian themes and topics in the post-

modern world. As Euro-centered Christian churches find themselves in dialogue with

multiple world faiths, and sharing in ministry with growing populations of Christians in

other parts of the world formerly colonized, the benefits of an enhanced postcolonial

theology coupled with historical theology hopefully present themselves.

What is postcolonial theology?

Following Vatican II an effort to recognize the voices of native populations in

the Church began, spurred on by the participation of prelates from former European

colonies in continental Africa and Asia. These voices and histories led theologians to

acknowledge the void in Catholic theology resulting from their exclusion. The

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uniquely western European nature of theology up to that point meant that the resulting

analyses, writings and arguments neglected areas of the world with large Catholic

populations formerly under the rule or administration of European powers. By the early

1970’s concerted efforts to welcome and include the voices of marginalized native

peoples in the dialogue of theological work resulted in new perspectives, most notably

in Scriptural theology and ecclesiology. By the 1980’s mainline Protestant churches

expanded the notion of post- colonial theology to focus on further segregated segments

within marginalized native populations, primarily women and the poor. In the effort to

guarantee a fuller and broader theological perspective post-colonial theology above all

seeks to enhance theological understanding by inviting previously absent voices to the

discussion.

By examining the historical context of the theologies at work in Great Britain

and the Netherlands as they engaged in their overseas operations, post-colonial

theologians today can better understand the degree to which the two colonial powers

influenced the native populations of their colonies. Both emerged from the seventeenth

century in a spirit of triumphalism. Great Britain’s belief structure came about as a

result of the stability after the Glorious Revolution and renewed commercial interests.

It can be argued that the Dutch victory over the Spanish and Portuguese, as well as the

settling of the inter- denominational debate within the Dutch Reformed Church,

prompted a triumphalist perspective that accompanied Dutch empire building into the

East Indies.

The following bibliography provides resources for the development of a post-

colonial/historical theology study of British and Dutch colonial operations in the early

eighteenth century. These resources can be used in classroom settings for primary and

secondary source analysis in line with the AP European History course re-design

effective Fall 2015.

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Bibliography

Bangs, Carl. “Dutch Theology, Trade, and War:1590-1610.” Church History 39.4:

(1970): 470-82.

An excellent essay on the impact the Netherlands’ victory over Spain and

Portugal had in forming a triumphalist theology.

Brierley, Joanna H. Spices: The Story of Indonesia’s Spice Trade. Kuala Lumpur:

Oxford UP, 1994.

Provides a broad analysis of the role of the Dutch East India Company’s spice

trade along with primary source quotes.

Brett,  Mark  and  Jione  Havea Colonial Contexts and Postcolonial Theologies: Story

Weaving in the Asia-Pacific. Ed. Hampshire:  Palgrave  Macmillan,  2014.    

Corn,  Charles.  The Scents of Eden. New  York:  Kodansha  International,  1998.

Judkins, Travis. “A Christian Reflection for Postcolonial Theology for the Post-

Modern World” <http://postcolonialnetworks.com/2013/05/26/christian-

reflection-

postcolonial-theology-postmodern-world>

Lunsford, Virginia. Piracy and Privateering in the Golden Age Netherlands. London:

Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.

A very good resource for understanding the connection between state power

and commerce.

Oostindie, Gert and Paasman, Bert. “Dutch Attitudes Towards Colonial Empires,

Indigenous Cultures, and Slaves.” Eighteenth Century Studies 31.3 (1998): 349-

55.

An interesting article that explains the Dutch approach to Christian ministry

among native populations.

Parker, Charles. “Paying for the Privilege: The Management of Public Order and

Religious Pluralism in Two Early Modern Societies.” Journal Of World History

17.3 (2006): 267-96.

Postcolonial Theologies: Divinity and Empire. Ed. Catherine Keller, Michael Nausner

and Mayra Rivera, St. Louis: Chalice P, 2004.

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A collection of essays that covers many colonial empires, most notably Great

Britain in India and the spirit of Indian resistance in the eighteenth and

nineteenth centuries.

Raghu, Jyoti. “Rethinking Hinduism in a Postcolonial Context.” Journal of

Postcolonial Theory and Theology 3.1 (2012): 1-36.

Along with the previous work this essay highlights the British missionary

practices among the Indian natives.

Verhoeven, Gerrit. “Calvinist Pilgrimages and Popish Encounters: Religious Identity

and Sacred Space on the Dutch Grand Tour (1598-1685).” Journal of Social

History 43.3 (2010): 615-34.

The triumphalist attitude throughout the Dutch Reformed Church lead to a

degree of toleration as wealthy Dutch gentlemen made the Grand Tour in the

eighteenth century through Italian churches and chapels.

Wheeler, James Talboys. India Under British Rule: From the Foundation of the East

India Company. <http://www.gutenberg.org/files/46151/46151-h/46151-h.htm>

An excellent historical piece divided into easy to use sections, this piece goes

into detail on the British approaches to religion in their Indian colonies.