The Spirit of the Past: Essays on Christianity in New Zealand History

The essays in this groundbreaking collection offer fresh insights into how Christianity in New Zealand has been shaped by culture and society. Through new research on Christian ideas, practices, and institutions in New Zealand, the essays offer a critical examination of recent debates concerning New Zealand’s secularist historiography, the Pakeha-Maori, Catholic and Protestant traditions, and topics ranging from revivalism to romance. Together they provide evidence of significant religious change, influence, and agency while illuminating important aspects of New Zealand’s Christian past.