The Berlin Conference

Abstract

Colonization and Christian mission had a symbiotic relationship. This has raised the question of the relationship between missionaries and colonizers. Most would agree that they influenced each other: colonialism facilitated the growth of Christianity, and missionary work provided fertile ground for colonialism in some parts of Africa. However, it is important to also highlight that some missionary work in Africa was purely for the spread of the gospel and not colonialism. With the partition of Africa after the Berlin Conference of 1884–85, many colonial powers restricted mission work in their colonies to missionaries from their own countries. This resulted in a denominational division and distribution that is still reflected in African churches today. However, in nations that are predominantly Muslim, the mission was not successful by either persuasion or coercion. Although the gospel was brought to Africa by the Europeans and linked to colonialism, it is not European. African Christians do not see the gospel as colonial or needing to be decolonized but are willing to share with others, including their former colonizers.