Robert Morrison’s Spiritual Roots

Abstract

While we can never know a person’s heart nor everything going on in his/her mind, we can deduce from the person’s life context, the underlying roots, what seems to motivate the action of a person. This paper explores these matters for the life of Robert Morrison, early Nineteenth Century Protestant Missionary to China. Considering the religious background of Morrison through the lens of Charles Taylor’s work “Sources of the Self” leads to a view of how Morrison’s early years motivated his life’s work. Exploring his religious and spiritual experiences in the home, Christian/Church of Scotland community, and educational context reveals motivating factors leading Morrison to the Far East and a lifetime of missionary service.
Key Words: Robert Morrison, Church of Scotland, Priesthood of the Believer, Missionary Motivation, Education