Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems (Christian Heroes, Then & Now)

Rating:
Summary: Amy Carmichael
Review: Amy Carmichael had a huge heart for God, and a huge heart for God's calling for her. She cared for many children and rescued them from a horrible life of being destined to temple prostitution. She made a huge impact on all of the children she raised, and showed them the wonderful love of Jesus. She's also a great example of a woman that wasn't bothered to serve God as a single woman. This book tells about the many ways God used her to reach people who desperately needed to know the freedom of Christ.

Rating:
Summary: Religious devotion at its best, marred by cultural ignorance
Review: Amy Carmichael was an admirable woman who performed great deeds in India. She was devoted to God and did her best to serve him. Although she labored under some misconceptions and ignorance about Hinduism, it is possible to forgive her because she operated from a pure heart and a sincere desire to do the Lord's work. It would not be fair to judge her by today's more knowledgeable and open-minded standards.

Without wanting to detract from Amy Carmichael's achievements, I wish the authors had taken the trouble to understand the reality behind some of her misguided beliefs. For example, the following statement (from pp. 77-78) is patently untrue: "Buddhism is a religion of many gods and many statues of gods. Buddhists often believe the statue itself is a god and not just an image of a god." A cursory look at just about any middle school social studies book should prove otherwise.

The authors also depict the British contributions to India in a wholly positive light, although most scholars would agree that their legacy is mixed. Furthermore, their contention that "English rule ... brought roads, railways, industry, and education to India" (p. 96) completely ignores the richness of a great and sophisticated civilization that was the birthplace of some of the world's greatest religions, that gave the world the mathematical concept zero, that had a sophisticated infrastructure already in place (such as the Grand Trunk Road), traded extensively around the world, had a flourishing industry of handicrafts (which were part of the reason the British were originally attracted to India), and so on long before the arrival of the British. The arrogance of such a statement takes my breath away.

Finally, the author's blanket condemnation of the "devadasi" or temple dancer tradition in South India is ignorant and misguided. From the Columbia University website:

"The tradition of the ... devadasi in the temples of India, was one of dancer and sexual initiator. It is a tradition found in relatively recent times throughout the East, traditions as old as those in Ancient Greece and Egypt. The Devadasi was often trained in the art of dance from childhood and she would be officially married to the Temple God at the onset of puberty. The dance form was equally erotic and spiritual which is difficult for the western mind to comprehend. .... The Devadasis were not slaves as they are often portrayed but women of high social status, with accomplishment in all of the arts. However because the Western mind could only comprehend the woman as being married or celibate, the devadasi was seen as a prostitute by the British authorities."

Except that they were not celibate, this is not so different from the position of Christians nuns who are also "married" to the God they serve. Historically, parents in Europe who could not afford to marry off or maintain their daughters also brought them to the church to dedicate their lives to God -- often against their daughter's wishes. I applaud Amy Carmichael for assisting those girls who did not want to become devadasis. But undoubtedly they were many who enjoyed their work and were honored to serve God. Carmichael, who was very much a product of her times and culture could not be expected to understand that. The authors however have a responsibility to be more evenhanded.

Rating:
Summary: Religious devotion at its best, marred by cultural ignorance
Review: Amy Carmichael was an admirable woman who performed great deeds in India. She was devoted to God and did her best to serve him. Although she labored under some misconceptions and ignorance about Hinduism, it is possible to forgive her because she operated from a pure heart and a sincere desire to do the Lord's work. It would not be fair to judge her by today's more knowledgeable and open-minded standards.

Without wanting to detract from Amy Carmichael's achievements, I wish the authors had taken the trouble to understand the reality behind some of her misguided beliefs. For example, the following statement (from pp. 77-78) is patently untrue: "Buddhism is a religion of many gods and many statues of gods. Buddhists often believe the statue itself is a god and not just an image of a god." A cursory look at just about any middle school social studies book should prove otherwise.

The authors also depict the British contributions to India in a wholly positive light, although most scholars would agree that their legacy is mixed. Furthermore, their contention that "English rule ... brought roads, railways, industry, and education to India" (p. 96) completely ignores the richness of a great and sophisticated civilization that was the birthplace of some of the world's greatest religions, that gave the world the mathematical concept zero, that had a sophisticated infrastructure already in place (such as the Grand Trunk Road), traded extensively around the world, had a flourishing industry of handicrafts (which were part of the reason the British were originally attracted to India), and so on long before the arrival of the British. The arrogance of such a statement takes my breath away.

Finally, the author's blanket condemnation of the "devadasi" or temple dancer tradition in South India is ignorant and misguided. From the Columbia University website:

"The tradition of the ... devadasi in the temples of India, was one of dancer and sexual initiator. It is a tradition found in relatively recent times throughout the East, traditions as old as those in Ancient Greece and Egypt. The Devadasi was often trained in the art of dance from childhood and she would be officially married to the Temple God at the onset of puberty. The dance form was equally erotic and spiritual which is difficult for the western mind to comprehend. .... The Devadasis were not slaves as they are often portrayed but women of high social status, with accomplishment in all of the arts. However because the Western mind could only comprehend the woman as being married or celibate, the devadasi was seen as a prostitute by the British authorities."

Except that they were not celibate, this is not so different from the position of Christians nuns who are also "married" to the God they serve. Historically, parents in Europe who could not afford to marry off or maintain their daughters also brought them to the church to dedicate their lives to God -- often against their daughter's wishes. I applaud Amy Carmichael for assisting those girls who did not want to become devadasis. But undoubtedly they were many who enjoyed their work and were honored to serve God. Carmichael, who was very much a product of her times and culture could not be expected to understand that. The authors however have a responsibility to be more evenhanded.