What do you think?
Rate this book
Overlooked: The Forgotten Stories of Canadian Christianity
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.
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.
- GenresChurch
354 pages, Paperback
Published March 28, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 23, 2024
You do not normally think of Canadian Church History as a page turner. But James Tyler Robertson has written and engaging and popular history.
His ability to take a particular event in Canadian history – for example Expo 67 – and take a deep dive and explore the church/cultural dynamics makes a particular era come alive. He does that repeatedly throughout the book and I was introduced to a cast of characters who I didn’t know – nonetheless who were instrumental in shaping not just Canadian Christianity, but in some cases North American and even global Christian faith. Many of these examples, caused me, who was alive and remembers many of the events in the book – to do a rethink, or perhaps a deeper think.
I found his chapter on reconciliation most moving and challenging. He pulls no punches in revealing the racism and a type of nationalism that created the Residential School System for indigenous children. His invitation to regard indigenous Christians as, in many cases, the oldest representatives of Christianity in Canada a wonderful challenge. Indeed, as he states, they have much to teach us new arrivals.
My only criticism would be that sometimes there is some repetition and reworking of themes in the book. On a particular point I thought his treatment of Upper Canada Methodist and educator, Edgerton Ryerson – much-maligned presently – to be unfair. While I think there is no question about general racism of settlers in the early 1800s, by the time of Confederation and the Indian Act this had become a very different project indeed – and much darker one. It would be nice to have had some nuance here.
His ability to take a particular event in Canadian history – for example Expo 67 – and take a deep dive and explore the church/cultural dynamics makes a particular era come alive. He does that repeatedly throughout the book and I was introduced to a cast of characters who I didn’t know – nonetheless who were instrumental in shaping not just Canadian Christianity, but in some cases North American and even global Christian faith. Many of these examples, caused me, who was alive and remembers many of the events in the book – to do a rethink, or perhaps a deeper think.
I found his chapter on reconciliation most moving and challenging. He pulls no punches in revealing the racism and a type of nationalism that created the Residential School System for indigenous children. His invitation to regard indigenous Christians as, in many cases, the oldest representatives of Christianity in Canada a wonderful challenge. Indeed, as he states, they have much to teach us new arrivals.
My only criticism would be that sometimes there is some repetition and reworking of themes in the book. On a particular point I thought his treatment of Upper Canada Methodist and educator, Edgerton Ryerson – much-maligned presently – to be unfair. While I think there is no question about general racism of settlers in the early 1800s, by the time of Confederation and the Indian Act this had become a very different project indeed – and much darker one. It would be nice to have had some nuance here.
May 24, 2022
6 stars. I learned an incredible amount through this book. The author's tone never felt too heady or inflated given the expansive amount of history covered. The way in which each era seamlessly built towards the main argument was mildly mindblowing. I especially enjoyed the commentary on Indigenous Christianity.
For those who identify as Canadian and Christian, this is a must-read. And for those who may be only one or the other, I believe this would still be an insightful read into a different historical expression of your identity.
"...non-believing neighbours can be good people with active ethics who appear to live full lives. If Christianity is about finding purpose and a wonderful life, most Canadians have proven you can do that without ever setting foot in a church. So, what is the gospel in Canada?"
For those who identify as Canadian and Christian, this is a must-read. And for those who may be only one or the other, I believe this would still be an insightful read into a different historical expression of your identity.
"...non-believing neighbours can be good people with active ethics who appear to live full lives. If Christianity is about finding purpose and a wonderful life, most Canadians have proven you can do that without ever setting foot in a church. So, what is the gospel in Canada?"
March 28, 2023
I have a complicated relationship with this book. On the one hand, it narrates a very important story, and for that reason alone I will recommend that many Canadian Christians read it. However, something about it didn’t seem quite right, or at least quite polished. I felt like the narrative was a bit bumpy, and there was too much unnecessary filler along the way. The physical book itself also felt cheap, and the medium always affects the message. So, a complicated three stars, full of recommendation but also longing for a bit more.
December 14, 2023
A much needed book that shares the church history of Canada.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews