One Blood: 200 Years of Aboriginal Encounter with Christianity: A Story of Hope

by John W. Harris

"Every Australian Christian should read One Blood"
— Tim Costello, CEO, World Vision Australia

Out of a burning conviction that 'God made of one blood all nations', Christians have carried their message to Aborigines throughout Australia. It is this encounter and its results that John Harris explores in these many stories that tell one story: how, in the face of abuse, paternalism, prejudice, isolation and crippling hardship, the Christian gospel was brought to the Aboriginal people. Although sometimes blind to their own faults, those who brought this message were remarkable people of great compassion and courage.

For two centuries, this activity was a major force in the lives of the Indigenous people of Australia. Christian missions were sometimes places of regimentation marked by a loss of freedom; often, too, they were places of survival and refuge for a suffering people. The missions may seem to have failed, yet from many of them are emerging distinctive Aboriginal churches with strong Indigenous leadership.

One Blood is the definitive review of 200 years of history. As a reference work, the over 2,600 footnotes and extensive bibliography provide a treasure trove of primary sources. As a story of interaction between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, One Blood is a book which will leave a lasting impact on your life.

One Blood has been extensively reviewed, analysed and discussed in both the the religious and secular press. These are some excerpts from published reviews:

This is a monumental work of research and scholarship, of deep insight and discernment…opening up with great clarity the vista of tragedy and despair for the Aboriginal people… (Christian Book Newsletter)

This is a book of immense power…a major event in the history of Australian self-understanding. Do not underestimate it. (Adelaide Advertiser)

John Harris has written an astonishingly powerful and comprehensive book… It is a passionate work, but one that is also beautifully controlled and balanced. It makes enthralling reading… (Lutheran Theological Journal)

One Blood is a powerful, disturbing and inspiring book…It has certainly helped my own self-understanding…(The Canberra Times)

One Blood is an immense book, immense in its physical size ( almost 1000 pages) and immense in its scope and breadth of treatment of the encounter between Aboriginal people and those who came to them as Christian missionaries, an encounter spanning 200 years and a whole continent. No one knows more about this subject than John Harris and no one else will ever deal with it again with his unique mix of scholarship and passion… (Church Scene)

Ther are some books which helped me to understand my country: books like Facey’s A Fortunate Life and Morgan’s My Place. I now add Harris’ One Blood. Don’t miss it. (Southern Cross Magazine)

This is an important book…for what it does for the church, for the craft of history…and for the understanding of the Australian people…It is a compelling story of great sadness as well as of great triumph, and essential book for…the future development of Australian Society or Christianity in this country...(On Being Magazine)

One Blood gives an excellent overall view of Christianity’s missionary efforts, both Protestant and Catholic. It is written with admirable objectivity, allocating praise and blame where due… (The Catholic Leader)

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Australia, Indigenous, Theology

1398 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Historian, linguist and author, John Harris has had a life-long involvement with Aboriginal people and is well known for his writings on their culture, languages and history. He is the author of over 100 books and papers including his award-winning major work, One Blood. John has a deep interest in the early contacts between Aboriginal people and the European invaders. He holds three doctorates: one in Aboriginal languages, another in theology and the prestigious Lambeth Doctorate from Her Majesty the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Reviews

[Peter Yock · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the wake of George Floyd's death in 2020, like many people I was inundated with the necessity of better educating myself with regard to the racial inequality inherent in the culture I have inherited, and better equipping myself to no longer be a useless bystander. But when I read through the lists of suggested reading in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, it struck me that most of the suggested reading was more relevant to a context other than my own. It dawned on me that a better option might be to take up the suggestion first made to me 20 years ago: to read One Blood by John Harris, about the history of Australian Aboriginals and Christianity.

I grew up in Sydney, Australia. At my primary school, I coloured in pictures of 'native savages' swinging clubs at the heads of the 'civilized European Settlers'. I was frowned upon for having an Aboriginal friend. Slowly, surely, I think I did imbibe a subconscious negative view of indigenous Australians that was not educated, and downright wrong. Before finishing primary school I slung the word 'Abo' around as if I was somehow superior. I'm both ashamed of myself, but also ashamed of the system that educated and formed me to be that way.

Reading this book has been one small step to rewire my thinking and aid my repentance. It's been bloody hard work. And I'm not talking about the length - I'm talking about the awful history that lies within of the terrible mistreatment of Aboriginals - by almost all European settlers, Christians included. Time and time again I was utterly amazed at the horrific treatment of Aboriginals. Harris has done an enormous service to us all for this careful history and analysis.

Within its pages also lies the beautiful story of Aboriginals coming to hear of the Lord Jesus, who died for all, European and Aboriginal alike. It tells the story of the birth of the indigenous church, despite the brutal treatment and awful racism from those who brought the message. It tells of occasional missionaries who did better than most at seeing the equality and beauty in the Aboriginal people and did what they could to help. It testifies to a sovereign God, who works through even the worst of circumstances to bring about his plan for the salvation of people from every tribe and nation.

[James Everingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this book recommended to me during one of my classes at Bible college, it took a while to get around to it and then it took a while to read it (close to 1000 pages); it was perhaps one of the most unpleasant books that I have ever read, but I am very glad that I read it.

One Blood traces the history of the relationship between the Aboriginals of Australia and the Christian church from the first colonies to around the end of the 20th century when the book was written. It is not easy reading, particularly because of the unpleasantness of the topic. I think most people are aware that Australia has a dark history, but I think we tend to gloss over how bloody the history was; where in reality what happened in history in some places was basically genocide. This is a country that was ultimately built upon the blood and bones of an innocent people. It is frustrating to reflect upon our dark history, where the first colonists came, proclaiming a higher civilization, but living like absolute ruffians and brutes, and then to go and call the aboriginals who were consequently corrupted uncivilized!

Nonetheless, the book is comprehensive in the history it traces and from what I can tell it is quite well researched. If you want to learn about the topic of Aboriginal history as it relates to the church, I would thoroughly recommend this book. It's not pretty, but the past can serve as a lesson to be learnt from so long as we are not ignorant of it.

I recommend reading this book, it probably won't make you happy, it certainly didn't make me happy, but I'm glad I read it.

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly compelling. Colonisation was worse than I could have imagined on Aboriginal Australians. Particularly haunting was the chapter on the extinction of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. I was encouraged by the attempts of Missionaries throughout the last two centuries to bring the gospel - even with all their flaws - many committing to poverty and isolation for the cause of spreading the good news. Yet, it's hard to escape the hardships the missionaries themselves also brought. Nevertheless, I was left with a great sense of hope for the future of Aboriginal Christianity.

Harris' research is impressive. His obsession with letting the past speak for itself is notable with hundreds of quotes from politicians, missionaries and Aboriginal people of the past.

Few books have gripped me like this one. I would love to see a shorter version - at 962 pages, this is quite the undertaking. a quarter of this size would make it more accessible to a broader audience.

Otherwise, 100% recommend for any Australian Christian!

[Rohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xavier was up from 4-5am today so a chance to finish this book. what an achievement from the author to cover such a breadth of material, while still keeping space for stories and people to shine through.

I especially appreciated his own comments throughout (not necessarily good historian practice, but added a lot to the book)

Definitely a sad state of affairs, but ends with hope. and with a real value on Aboriginal people themselves. (e.g. those who say Aboriginal people were "brainwashed" into Christianity, are just remaking the value judgement that they are lesser human beings who couldn't think for themselves)

[John Carrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift and a must read for Australians interested in Australian history, Christian history in Australia and Aboriginal missions. I see here a truth telling. Harris details the good, the bad and the ugly of missions.

[Andrew Klynsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough tracing of the history of the encounter of the original inhabitants of Australia with the Christian Europeans who came later, from the time of colonisation through to the 1970s. Tragic and triumphant, confronting and inspiring, this book is a vital read for all Australian Christians.

[Roland Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very long, but crucial reading for all Australian Christians. See my full review here: http://andthewordsbecamebooks.wordpre...