Davidson Allan K. - Transplanted Christianity: documents illustrating aspects of New Zealand church history

The purpose of this book is to encourage the study of New Zealand Church History. In recent academic research considerable attention has been given to the early missionary activity, but very little has been published on later periods. Standard histories such as The Oxford History of New Zealand give little space to the role of the Church in New Zealand society. In contrast, Australia, the United States and Britain, for example, have produced substantial works dealing with both general and detailed aspects of the history of the church in the last two centuries.

A great deal of research has to be undertaken before it will be possible to produce a comprehensive history of the Church in New Zealand. By drawing attention to the great wealth of documentary material available we hope to stimulate this enterprise in both universities and theological colleges. While this book will serve as a text for courses in Arts and Theology faculties, we hope that it will have a wider audience and introduce the general reader to the history of the Church in New Zealand.

In compiling this book we have had to be very selective in choosing documents for inclusion. Limitations of space have meant that many areas are only briefly touched on or are not mentioned at all. Reluctantly material relating to such things as worship, music, architecture, specialist ministries, overseas aid, refugee work, missionary undertakings and publicity have had to be left out.

Where possible we have attempted to go back to primary sources. This has often entailed a great deal of work but has proved to be worthwhile in establishing both the original text and the context which gave rise to the document. In some cases this search has not been successful and so we have had to rely on a secondary source. In all cases we have indicated the sources we have used for obtaining our material and hope that this will be of particular benefit to those who are wanting to pursue more detailed research.

We are extremely grateful to librarians at the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington; the Hocken Library, Dunedin; the Auckland Public Library, Auckland Museum and Institute and St Johns College Library, Auckland for giving us access to material. Where possible we have sought permission to reprint the various documents although we request the indulgence of those whom we have not been able to contact.

Documentary extracts by themselves have little meaning. To interpret and understand them some knowledge of their authorship and context is necessary. We have attempted to provide this by giving introductions which give an overview of New Zealand Church history within the wider context of New Zealand history as well as providing comments relevant to particular documents. In so doing we have been bold to make generalisations which have to be tested against the situations referred to. Recognising the pioneering stage of the New Zealand Church history enterprise these represent preliminary forays into what is only a partially explored territory.

Interpreting religious history is fraught with great problems. What to one person gives meaning to life, to another has no meaning at all. What is Christian to one group is anathema to another. In this book there is no rigid definition of either Christian or Church but they are used to refer to people who described themselves and their organisations in these terms.

Perspectives vary a great deal on such things as morality, faith, worship, the relationship between church and state and the way in which the church is structured. In presenting documents to illustrate New Zealand Church history we are wanting participants in that story to speak for themselves and point up something of that diversity. The purpose of this book is neither to denigrate nor to sanctify particular points of view, but to encourage a critical yet sympathetic understanding of the role of the church and its members in various aspects of New Zealand history. Evaluation today depends in part on the perspective people adopt to the past. In adopting a critical yet sympathetic perspective we hope that there will be an attempt to understand, as far as it is possible, the people and views represented in this book within their own context and thought world.