03 Aug How does Carey respond to arguments that the distance between England and India is too great?
Order Instructions
Assignment 5d: Carey Response
Objective: Explain Carey’s defense of missions to unbelievers.
Mindset: Demonstrate how Carey responded to critics of his generation.
Instructions
A classic work in the history of missions is William Carey’s An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens (1792) which led to the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society that same year. Born in England, Carey worked in several roles as a shoemaker, teacher, and pastor. He became intrigued by the mission stories of David Brainerd, who evangelized Native Americans in Connecticut and New Jersey, and also by the voyages of James Cook. He set off to India and founded the Serampore Mission located near present-day Calcutta. Calcutta, of course was later made famous by the work of Mother Theresa.
Carey’s work was not easy. Conversions were initially slow and he battled against the British government who saw missionaries as meddlesome. Nevertheless, he pioneered linguistic work in the Bengali and Sanskrit languages and insisted on training local leaders who could continue the evangelism work themselves. His essay, noted above, is often credited with launching the modern missionary movement.
In the following selection, Carey answers five objections to Christian missions. First, he addresses the logistics of the great distance between England and India. Second, he rejects the idea that because the natives are “uncivilized” that missions are too difficult. Third, he addresses fears of danger and being killed. Fourth, he addresses fears of having inadequate supplies and daily comforts. Finally, he addresses the challenges in learning foreign languages. In short, Carey rejects all these arguments as irrelevant and asks rather for a more sacrificial and charitable spirit.
Read the Primary Document by William Carey, An Enquiry Into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens, Section IV pp. 67-76. (Links to an external site.) http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/enquiry/anenquiry.pdf
Write a 1-2 page double spaced paper that addresses the following:
How does Carey respond to arguments that the distance between England and India is too great?
How does he address criticism that people in India are too “uncivilized” to be reached?
How did Carey respond to fears over danger?
How did he respond to arguments over losing everyday comforts?
How does Carey respond to the difficulties in learning foreign languages?
It is not necessary to apply a formatting style for this assignment except when using a source to support your writing.
