One Blood: Two hundred years of Aboriginal encounter with Christianity
One Blood: Two hundred years of Aboriginal encounter with Christianity
Author:
Dr. John Harris has had a lifelong interest in Aboriginal people, in their culture, history and languages. He is the author of numerous books and papers on Aboriginal history, education, language and Christian experience. He spent many years as a teacher and school principal in Aboriginal communities. His most recent position was director of the Translation and Text Division of the Bible Society in Australia where a major responsibility was the translation of the Bible into Indigenous languages. He is also an ordained Anglican priest. John holds a PhD in Aboriginal languages. He was awarded a Doctor of Theology for writing One Blood, the first edition being chosen as Religious Book of the Year. He was recently honoured by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Her Majesty the Queen by being awarded a Lambeth Doctor of Divinity for his advocacy of Aboriginal people in both the Church and the wider community. In retirement, John continues his active involvement in Aboriginal issues through Bible translation, writing, and speaking. He has a strong commitment to supporting Aboriginal people to revive endangered languages. He is married to Judith and they have three children and six grandchildren.
Firstly, as a trained nurse, couldn't help thinking how much the cover reminded me of a part of the female anatomy. Something I found hard to get over every time I picked up the book! Secondly, this amazing book really should come in 2 separate books. It's so heavy- definitely not easy to read in bed! Thirdly, I find it unbelievable that the author was to maintain his Christian faith after discovering the atrocities best on the Aboriginals. He remained gracious and honest about how different the times were back in the early settlement of Australia- while retaining an honest perspective of the treatment of Aboriginals. Whew!
I'm still reading the book and have reached about half way. The author is starting to describe the Aboriginal heritage. Where did the Aboriginals come from? I hope the author mentions the Dutch gene in certain Aboriginal tribes in WA and possible Spanish genes in Cairns and of course Indonesian genes. Will he also mention the pygmies of Karnaka (Cairns, QLD). Truly, there is no pure "race".
Prior to reading One Blood, I read a couple of other books about Aboriginals- their history and autobiographies. It encourages me to read that so many Aboriginals have prospered and found a living faith in Christ after such terrible beginnings.
The book is well written, "easy " to read. I haven't being bogged down by heavy information and labourious information. Truth isn't hidden. The people (both whites and blacks) are written about honestly with all their foibles, both good and bad. It's a balanced view which I appreciate. I long for the day when people will be judged by their character not their skin colour (to paraphrase Martin Luther King). I encourage people to read this book to help understand the history of the Aboriginals, white man and Christianity. It is our history too.