Christianity in the Pacific

Question 1

Which theism existed in the pre-Christian Pacific?

Answer 1

Polytheism - the belief in more than 1 god

Question 2

Christianity holds which theistic belief?

Answer 2

Monotheism

Question 3

There are numerous strands under the umbrella of Christianity. Name the 2 branches of Christianity discussed in the lecture:

Answer 3

Catholicism, Protestantism

Question 4

Different denominations of Christianity typically have contrasting beliefs about where our souls go after death. This is decided by which 2 philosophies:

Answer 4

Predetermination, free-will

Question 5

Which Pacific island nation did the London Missionary Society first arrive at?

Answer 5

Tahiti - 1795

Question 6

What were the main intentions of the London Missionary Society upon arriving in the Pacific?

Answer 6

Saving and enlightening Pacific “savages”

Question 7

Name the first 3 Pacific nations to be evangelised by the London Missionary Society:

Answer 7

Tahiti, Samoa, Cook Islands

Question 8

The main intention of the London Missionary Society was to colonise and expand the British Empire to the Pacific. True or false?

Answer 8

False - they did not intend on spreading the British Empire along with the Gospel (although this happened anyway)

Question 9

Initial interactions between the European missionaries and Pacific peoples were highly successful. True or false?

Answer 9

False

Question 10

Name any number of reasons as to why the initial interactions between the missionaries and the Pacific people were unsuccessful.

Answer 10

Miscommunication, hostile reception, financial issues, distrust.

Question 11

Some Pacific people welcomed the arrival of the missionaries and sought what they had to offer. With which tactic did the LMS use to influence the rest of the Pacific to evangelise?

Answer 11

By first evangelising the chiefs/leaders - if their leaders turned to Christianity, others would follow

Question 12

Name the 2 European missionaries who had a significant influence on the evangelisation of the Pacific:

Answer 12

St Peter Chanel, John Williams

Question 13

Which European missionary is known as the Patron Saint of the Pacific?

Answer 13

St Peter Chanel

Question 14

Name at least 1 of the 3 Pacific leaders who assisted in the evangelisation of the Pacific:

Answer 14

Nukai Peniamina, Paulo Aniseko Faasavalu, Soakimi Gata

Question 15

Which Niuean-born leader successfully brought Christianity to the island of Niue, after several unsuccessful attempts by John Williams?

Answer 15

Nukai Peniamina

Question 16

Which Niuean leader built the first church in Niue and translated the Bible into Niuean?

Answer 16

Paulo Aniseko Faasavalu

Question 17

Which Fijian-born leader became the first Polynesian Catholic Priest to be ordained?

Answer 17

Soakimi Gata

Question 18

Name any number of cultural ideologies, practices or things to be abolished after the arrival of Christianity:

Answer 18

Alcohol, premarital sex, same-sex marriage, late marriage, polygamy, war, theft, adultery, infanticide, suicide, traditional forms of art.