Imperialism and piracy

Another daring accusation the book levels against the early missionary tactics is that of partaking, if not directly but certainly, in the imperialism and piracy of colonialism.

Initially unable to participate directly in the looting of South and Central America, and controlling lands in North America with no obvious treasure hordes, the English and Dutch engage in piracy, which is the logical complement of imperialism in that it consists of simply looting another person's goods for the sake of wealth, power, and prestige. Similar patterns occured in Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Asia. Where Europeans were able they conquered territory and removed whatever was of value for use in Europe. When they couldn't they stole from one another.

Missionaries were not unaware of the moral and practical implications of being so closely related to the colonial enterprise, ... but believed that the benefits of reaching non-Christians with the gospel outweighed the risks. ... Many missionaries, like the pioneer David Livingstone, embraced colonialism believing that "Christianity, Commerce, and Civilization" constituted a package that would "lift up" lives trapped in supposed darkness. ... they accepted the proposition that Western civilization and Christian faith represented what humankind needed. They rarely questioned whether the civilization they brought was a fitting expression of Christ's message, or colonialism a fit means of enacting it.

[Hunt, Robert A. The Gospel Among the Nations: A Documentary History of Inculturation (New York: Orbis Books, 2010) 21-22.]