Politics and Christianity in Malawi 1875 – 1940

Since its first publication in 1977, Politics and Christionity in Malawi has been recognised as one of the most successful studies to be made of the impact of a Christian mission in Africa. Starting with a survey of the economy of Malawi in the mid nineteenth century, the book goes on to examine the home background of the Livingstonia Mission of the Free Church of Scotland and the influence of David Livingstone upon it. It then describes the failure of "Christianity and Commerce" around the South end of Lake Malawi and the subsequent positive response which the mission evoked among the peoples of northern Malawi. The function and character of the Overtoun Institution – possibly the most influential mission in South Central Africa – is described in detail as is the mission’s economic and educational impact. African responses and the relationship between Christianity and Politics dominate the second half of the book. Comprehensive reassessments are made of the origins of the Watch Tower Movement, the growth of Christian independency and the character of inter – war political associations. The reprint of the 2000 edition is published in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Livingstonia Mission.

"…a model, not easily surpassed, of mission history which is also genuinely social history drawing together a network of very varied themes." Adrian Hastings

"It has become the basic scholarly book for Malawian Church History." Klaus Fiedler

"… a book of great interest, rich with insights which illuminate the activities of the missionaries and the reactions of African Christians… a major work of fundamental importance to Africanists." Richard Gray