John Buchanan of Zomba: Disgraced missionary or pioneer of ecotheology?

Abstract

This article notes that tree-planting and environmental stewardship were prominent during the early years of Blantyre Mission, particularly through the work of artisan missionary John Buchanan. His appreciation of the Malawi environment included both concern for sustainability and ambition to develop successful commercial enterprise. Although implicated in a scandal that led to his dismissal from Blantyre Mission, he continued his work at Zomba, where he developed a successful estate. His coffee plantation offered opportunities for the workers to attend both church and school, which many opted to do. The pioneering plantation was hailed as the fulfilment of the vision that David Livingstone had developed for central Africa. A determined opponent of the East African slave trade, Buchanan advocated increasing British influence and, as Acting Consul, declared the British Protectorate in 1889. He was also instrumental in encouraging European settlers to acquire land and establish plantations in Malawi, seeing this as a strategy to counter the slave trade and oblivious to the negative effects on the Malawian community of alienation of some of the best land in the country. After a decade in Malawi, he calculated that he had preached 1000 sermons and collected 1000 plants – a distinctive combination. His contemporary relevance lies in his role as a champion of Malawi’s trees. He understood that sustaining its tree cover was of vital importance to the environment and was active himself as a tree planter. Although lacking training in academic theology, he made the connection between his evangelical Christian faith and his sense of environmental responsibility. In this regard he can be considered a pioneer of ecotheology.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article draws on the disciplines of history, missiology and environmental science. It interrogates the understanding of faith that led to John Buchanan’s advocacy of environmental stewardship as an integral element in his understanding of Christian mission.