British Protestant Missions and the Conversion of Europe, 1600-1900

This book explores the first British Protestant conversion initiatives directed towards continental Europe between 1600 and 1900, examining how religious experiments in America, Africa, and Asia informed these missions and how Britain became a land of compassionate refuge for European dissenters and exiles. It challenges the myth of International Protestantism and interrogates Britain as an imagined Protestant land of hope and glory.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Between 1600 and 1900, a remarkable period of religious transformation unfolded in continental Europe, as British Protestant missionaries embarked on a mission to bring the gospel to the people of this region. This book offers the first comprehensive account of these conversion initiatives, exploring the complex interplay of cultural, social, and political factors that shaped them.

At the time, continental Europe was often perceived as a missionary land, a distant periphery of the world, with imperial Britain serving as its central hub. British missions to Europe were influenced by religious experiments conducted in America, Africa, and Asia, giving these efforts a distinctive flavor of imaginary colonialism. British Protestant missionaries often saw themselves as pioneers of a civilizing project, aimed at converting Catholics and, in some cases, other Protestants. This mission was further reinforced by Britain's reputation as a compassionate refuge for European dissenters and exiles seeking to escape political and religious persecution.

In this book, we delve into the myth of International Protestantism, challenging its early origins and its narrative of transnational belonging. We examine how Britain was imagined as a Protestant land of hope and glory, a place where the gospel could flourish and the true followers of Christ could find salvation. However, our analysis also reveals the limitations and complexities of this vision, as the missionaries encountered resistance, skepticism, and cultural barriers that hindered their efforts.

Through a rich blend of historical analysis, cultural critique, and religious scholarship, this book provides a fresh perspective on the history of British Protestant conversion initiatives in continental Europe. It sheds light on the complex web of factors that shaped these missions, including the influence of colonialism, the rise of nationalism, and the search for religious identity in a rapidly changing world. By exploring the successes and failures of these initiatives, we gain a deeper understanding of the enduring legacy of Protestantism in Europe and its impact on the broader global religious landscape.

Weight: 557g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367546113