The Reformed Church in Dutch Brazil: 1630-1654.

Pierson, Paul E.

By Frans Leonard Schalkwifk. Zoetermeer, Netherlands: Boekencentrum, 1998. Pp. xiv, 353. Paperback f 69.

The author, who served for years as a missionary in Brazil, has done meticulous research and given us a fine work on a little-known colonial/missionary venture of the Dutch in northeast Brazil. During the Eighty Years' War for independence from Spain, the Dutch invaded Brazil, a colony of Portugal then under Spanish domination. While it was clearly a commercial venture, there was also strong missionary motivation.

The Reformed Church, transplanted to Brazil, served primarily the Dutch colonists but also held services in English, French, and Spanish and soon began work among the indigenous population. Several pastors worked among them, learning the Tupilanguage, organizing three churches. Some indigenous "comforters" (lay pastors) were appointed.

Education was a priority, and schools were established for both sexes wherever there were children. Instruction was given in Dutch and Tupi in the indigenous villages, and several indigenous teachers were hired. A modification of the Heidelberg Catechism was prepared and published in Dutch, Portuguese, and Tupi, but controversy arose, and it was never used. Apparently this early attempt at contextualization was unacceptable to the Dutch church.

The extent of religious liberty was unique for the period. Roman Catholic priests were allowed to function if they took an oath of loyalty to the government. Nearly 1,500 Jews who had fled from Portugal to the Netherlands now came to Recife and built the first synagogues in South America. After the Portugese reconquest, most Jews fled, many to New Amsterdam (New York). Tragically, of those who remained, 400 were condemned to prison, and at least 18 were executed.

This is a valuable work, especially for those interested in Brazilian church history.

Paul E. Pierson is Dean Emeritus and Senior Professor of History of Mission and Latin American Studies in the School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California. He served as a Presbyterian missionary in Brazil (1956-70) and Portugal (1971-73).