Was Christopher Columbus a Christian? His Faith, Legacy, and Controversies
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Columbus frequently wrote about his belief in God and described spreading Christianity as one motivation for his voyages. Yet his legacy is complicated, and his actions did not always reflect the Christian convictions he professed. Understanding Columbus requires looking at the whole story: his faith, motivations, accomplishments, failures, and the historical context in which he lived. Rather than ignoring the difficult parts of his legacy or viewing him only through one lens, Christians can examine the evidence thoughtfully and consider what his life teaches us about faith, human sinfulness, and God’s work through imperfect people.
Brief Biography of Christopher Columbus
Growing up during the Renaissance, Christopher Columbus became a sailor and trader who eventually became convinced he could reach Asia by sailing west. After unsuccessfully presenting his plan to several European monarchs, he secured support from the king and queen of Spain. In August 1492, Columbus set sail with three ships—the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María—and reached land in October, believing Asia was nearby. He ultimately made four voyages, exploring islands in the Caribbean and parts of Central and northern South America while also working to establish Spanish diplomacy and outposts in the regions he encountered.
Was Christoper Columbus a Christian?
Christopher Columbus wrote one book, Book of Prophecies, to explain part of his motivation for sailing west to arrive at the Indies. This excerpt, written in America's Providential History (Beliles and McDowell 45) shows Columbus' spiritual perspective.
No one should fear to undertake a task in the name of our Savior if it is just and if the intention is purely for His Service. The fact that the gospel must still be preached to so many lands in such a short time—this is what convinces me.1
Did Columbus Want to Spread Christianity?
Although Columbus claimed the noble motive of spreading the gospel, history reveals that his actions did not always comport with God's standards. It's also worth noting, however, that many of the cultures he met were also steeped in violence and human trafficking. Nothing on either side justifies sin, but as we observe and learn from history, we must consider all the facts.
At one point in his seafaring, some of Columbus' detractors brought him up on charges. Columbus vigorously defended himself to the Spanish monarchs and was cleared of most wrongdoing. In his Lettera Rarissima, he wrote, "Let those who are fond of blaming and finding fault, while they sit safely at home, ask, 'Why did you not do thus and so?'" His point? They should understand more about the context of events he faced before casting stones. Columbus rightly said that it is easy to misjudge the complexities of a situation from a comfortably distant perspective.
Older students should be challenged to examine Columbus and his time in history from every angle using source texts and context to develop and enhance reasoning skills. As they apply their biblical worldview to interpret events, help them learn about the worldview of others who judge Columbus differently.
What Are the Main Controversies Surrounding Christopher Columbus?
Critics of Columbus quickly point out that he did not, in fact, "discover" anything. Since every place he went already had inhabitants, they are correct. Obviously, those communities knew their own land well. Also, Columbus never set foot in North America. As you delve into the record, you will discover that the treatment of natives by the Spaniards who took up residence was sometimes tragic. Yet the explorations of the Americas significantly connected cultures that were previously unaware of each other. The world forever changed.
Understanding Columbus’ Legacy Through a Biblical Worldview
Sovereign God establishes rulers and authorities for many different purposes, including protection, judgment, wisdom, leadership, and advancing His kingdom. Romans 13:1(NLT) says, "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God."
God has worked His perfect plan through imperfect people since the beginning of time. His ways do not mirror human ways, so we often do not understand His purpose without divine insight. We should ask, "God, will you help me to see how You were preparing and providing during this place in history?"
If we study the population shifts from Europe to the Americas since the time of Columbus, we can see how God used the explorers and colonialism to expand His kingdom and make Jesus known to all people in all lands. We also see how the expansion of Western civilization led to the ideals embodied in America, the first nation with liberty for all written into the governing documents.
Because of sinful human nature, none of these shifts happened easily or perfectly. Still, God's plan of redemption continues to relentlessly shower mercy on humankind throughout history until the return of Christ.
I don't point out God's providence to whitewash the history of explorers, colonialism, slavery, or any other evils that taint all history. We should never minimize these sins. We must not, however, lose sight of God's ability and desire to redeem and restore.
How Should Christians View Christopher Columbus?
Striking a balance in the historical perspective includes acknowledging both virtues and vices of individuals. Consider how God portrays David in the Bible. As one of the most influential figures in biblical history, David fell hard into sin. Yet God redeemed and restored him, saying David's will aligned with His own (Acts 13:22). Even more amazingly, God used David to produce Jesus the Messiah.
In Columbus' era, the norm in almost every world culture overwhelmingly included the conquerors and the conquered, masters and slaves, and royalty and serfs. This was true in Europe and most of the lands Columbus explored. This historical context helps students to understand the cultural reasoning for actions rather than forcing historical figures into a modern-day box that doesn't fit.
Should Christians Celebrate Columbus Day?
Christians may come to different conclusions about whether or how to celebrate Columbus Day. The holiday can be an opportunity to learn about Christopher Columbus, the Age of Exploration, and the changes that followed his voyages while also acknowledging the suffering and injustices connected with colonization. We can recognize Columbus’ accomplishments and professed Christian faith without suggesting that everything he or those who followed him did was right.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day offers an opportunity to broaden that conversation by learning about the peoples and cultures that existed throughout the Americas long before Europeans arrived. Rather than seeing the two observances as competing versions of history, Christian families can study different perspectives and consider how exploration and colonization affected Indigenous communities. Doing so reminds us that every person is created in the image of God and worthy of dignity and respect.
Ultimately, Christians do not have to view historical figures as either entirely heroic or entirely unworthy of study. Whether your family observes Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or simply uses the day to learn, approach history with humility, acknowledge both accomplishments and failures, and consider how biblical principles of truth, justice, mercy, and love of neighbor can shape our understanding of the past.
How Can Parents Teach Children About Christopher Columbus?
Consider using some of the following ideas in your lesson plans for October. You can find good resources at Wallbuilders.
Geography: Use a blank world map to trace the routes of Columbus' four journeys. Color the places he landed and label the past and present names. Find them on a present-day globe or map.
Reading: Read aloud or assign a developmentally appropriate book about Columbus. As you read, have your children make keyword outlines which they later orally retell in their own words.
Writing: Assign a writing project commensurate with the level of your child's achievement. For a younger child, you may ask for sentences using spelling words from the book you read. Older elementary children may write a paragraph or two from the keyword outline they wrote in the reading assignment. Middle school and high school-aged students may write an essay or mini-term paper. Choose a type of essay (expository, narrative, descriptive, argumentative) that fits with your overall writing goals.
Puzzles and Games: Look up and print coloring pages, word searches, and crossword puzzles related to Columbus Day and explorers.
Hands-On: Research the dimensions of Columbus' ships. Use blocks or rope to outline the approximate size in your yard and spend the day "on the ship." Consider the supplies you will need to prepare in advance, how you will spend the day, jobs to be done, food preparation, sleeping quarters, and, yes, even toilet needs.
Arts and Crafts: Make a model of the Niña, Pinta, or Santa María, or simply find a coloring page of the ships. You can download a free printable paper model of the Santa Maria here.
Health: Research the types of food sailors would have eaten on the voyage. Discuss the nutritional balance of the food they ate and the importance of fruits and vegetables. Look up the symptoms of scurvy. Prepare and eat some of the foods you research. If you want more tasty food, you could prepare an Italian-themed meal since Columbus was born in Italy.
Science: It's difficult for children with instant access to map apps on their phones to imagine navigation across a vast unknown ocean. Research how Columbus navigated, including magnetic declination for older students. Take a walk in the park using signs in nature to understand north, south, east, and west. Create a map of your travels as you go.
Reasoning: Ask older students to identify the vices and virtues of Christopher Columbus and draw reasoned conclusions about his actions. Ask them to back up their assertions with evidence. Discuss the culture's current inclination to judge the past based on today's norms.
Bible: Identify the virtues and flaws of Columbus. Find Bible verses that address these issues.
Learning Extension: Assign research about some of the explorers who came after Columbus. Read books and chart their journeys on the world map. Design a timeline on the wall using sticky notes to show how the explorations coincided with other world events. Discuss how God providentially used the work of each explorer in America's history.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/IhsanGercelman
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Originally published October 10, 2024.
