The Great Evil: Christianity, the Bible, and the Native American Genocide

by Chris Mato Nunpa

In this account of the history between Indigenous Peoples and the United States government, readers will learn the role of the bible played in the perpetration of genocide, massive land theft, and the religious suppression and criminalization of Native ceremonies and spirituality. Chris Mato Nunpa, a Dakota man, discusses this dishonorable and darker side of American history that is rarely studied, if at all. Out of a number of rationales used to justify the killing of Native Peoples and theft their lands, the author will discuss a biblical rationale, including the “chosen people” idea, the “promised land” notion, and the genocidal commands of the Old Testament God. Mato Nunpa’s experience with fundamentalist and evangelical missionaries when he was growing up, his studies in Indigenous Nations history at the University of Minnesota, and his affiliation with the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) were three important factors in his motivation for writing this book.

203 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2020

Reviews

[Fio Selwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Mato Nunpa, Ph.D., has a seminary education, and he uses his immense knowledge of the Bible to make a compelling case that the genocide of indigenous Americans is, and has been, justified through Christian texts. The Great Evil challenges all Americans, especially white Americans descended from those who colonized Dakota lands, to consider how intricate the linkage between Christianity and genocide is in our country, and calls us to work toward justice. The author lays out a vision of what justice might look like for indigenous Americans, and invites us to takes practical steps toward its realization.

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was assigned to read it for one of my college classes. Hard read if you consider yourself religious and believe the Bible has only pure intentions. I struggled reading it myself. Very wordy but an interesting read. The author also appeared to be very bias, but that necessarily wasn’t a bad thing as it showed how hurt he is by the indigenous history.

[Cheryl Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indigenous genocide

This book is deeply troubling, while being incredibly enlightening. It makes me question my Christian beliefs, as I view events through indigenous eyes. Indeed, why would many survivors of genocide want to be Christian?

[A, Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

kind of edgy but feels like diet Ward Churchill with a fourteen-year-old atheist vibe