An honest assessment of the spiritual ground we inhabit begins by acknowledging the criticisms many Canadians have about the church are valid. We have to see that the church's traditional treatment of women, our inability to calmly address the shifting moral norms of our society, our pandering, or our obsession with certain church models and church language has worked against us. We have to admit Christianity has been used as a tool of oppression.
Each generation in this land from the 1500s and on has dealt with the perceived lack of Christian influence over this place. The who, what, when, where, and why are different but the outcomes and responses were noticeably similar. Even in a country as young as Canada, there have always been those who lamented and feared the loss of time-tested Christianity...make no mistake, when it comes to the struggles of declining Christianity, Canada has been here before.
An honest assessment of the spiritual ground we inhabit begins by acknowledging the criticisms many Canadians have about the church are valid. We have to see that the church's traditional treatment of women, our inability to calmly address the shifting moral norms of our society, our pandering, or our obsession with certain church models and church language has worked against us. We have to admit Christianity has been used as a tool of oppression.
Each generation in this land from the 1500s and on has dealt with the perceived lack of Christian influence over this place. The who, what, when, where, and why are different but the outcomes and responses were noticeably similar. Even in a country as young as Canada, there have always been those who lamented and feared the loss of time-tested Christianity...make no mistake, when it comes to the struggles of declining Christianity, Canada has been here before.
"James Robertson does what few can do, and that is to tell a good
story, engage with popular culture, and teach Christian history all
at the same time. This witty and insightful book provides a helpful
and hopeful guide for Canadian Christians who wonder how the past
has led to the present and a few words of challenge as they think
about the future." Gordon L. Heath, FRHistS, Professor of Christian
History and Centenary Chair in World Christianity, McMaster
Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario "The history lesson I wish I'd
had in Sunday School!" Tara Jean Stevens Podcaster, Host of "Heaven
Bent" "A kind revisionist historical look at some of the missing
narratives of the Canadian Christian story, James Robertson offers
a glimpse into a few of the prevalent themes that help readers
organize our Canadian Christian roots. As a local church pastor, I
found this to be eye-opening and mind-bending for its significance
in shaping our Canadianism. With a witty, organized and challenging
way, Robertson paints the historical picture that sheds light on
what shaped our imaginations and serves as a cautionary tale for
the future. Definitely a must-read of 2022!"
Bernard Tam - Pastor of The Living Room Church, Toronto, & New
Ventures Implementor
"As the Canadian Christian church finds itself at yet another
threshold moment in history, Overlooked offers a timely and
much-needed perspective. Both evocative and provocative, Overlooked
provides an accessible historical exegesis of how and why the
Canadian church is where it is; and suggests that what has always
been most true about Canadian Christianity is possibly the key to
finding a humble, conciliatory and faithful way forward."
Jan & Jeff Steckley, Threshold Commons
There's something indiscernible about Canadian identity. Doubly so
for Canadian Christian identity. One can feel lost, much like
driving through a snowstorm. Thank God we've got James Tyler
Robertson riding shotgun, reminding us that the only way to
understand where we are is to look in the rearview mirror. As our
country experiences seismic shifts, the church in Canada finds
herself in unfamiliar terrain. James reminds us how we got into
this storm, and orients us in the right direction through stories
that are heartbreaking, revitalizing, and always brutally hopeful.
And like a good road-trip buddy, he's funny too. Kevin MakinsAuthor
of Why Would Anyone Go to Church? and Pastor of Eucharist Church,
Hamilton, ON
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