Book Recommendation: The Land is Not Empty by Sarah Augustine (pictured)

Note: We are currently journeying with an association of Baptist churches as they move toward a vote on repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery, for which we provide an introductory resource here. We recommend this book (which is also included in our reading lists, which you can find here) as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding on this still-very-much-alive issue.

(Pictured: Sarah Augustine)

Sarah Augustine’s book, This Land is Not Empty, shows the modern and ongoing impact of the Doctrine of Discovery on Indigenous Peoples from around the world. Augustine’s experiences on the ground both in working with faith communities, Indigenous communities and international bodies demonstrates just how far reaching and pervasive the influence of the Doctrine of Discovery still is.

Augustine draws from her own Christian faith to find hope. In fact, this book is her statement of belief that the harm that has been done in the name of Jesus can and must be undone in the name of Jesus. Her call to the church is compelling, and how she’s lived out that call in her own actions in the church and the world gives her invitation weight and power.

This is a book that we have had on our resource list for a long time at a 300 level. Those who have been invited into a process of repudiating the doctrine and have gained a basic understanding of it will find this to be an accessible resource for learning to more clearly see the through line of this 15th century doctrine to present day.