Christianity and Smudging

Rev. J R Norwood, PhD.

When considering the American Indian practice of smudging, along with many other traditional tribal ceremonies and practices, American Indian Christians must evaluate the method and intent of the act and also whether it could be appropriated for uses which are consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dismissing such things merely because they are not common within a European/Western Christian tradition does not make them necessarily evil or unusable. In fact, dismissing such things merely because they do not conform to Western practices is due more to a cultural and racial bias than a fair evaluation based upon biblical doctrine.

On Christians Receiving a Tribal Name

By Rev. J R Norwood, PhD

In modern American culture, people are known by many different names. Sometimes the names are their formal legal name, written on the birth certificate and other legal documents. And, sometimes the name is more of a well-known nickname, given by family, friends, and community members. There are some people who are better known by their nicknames than by their actual names. There are also various aliases that may be used for business. Sometimes entertainers or authors will use pseudonyms instead of their actual name. None of these various names are necessarily in conflict with the concept of receiving a “new name” when one is born again as a “Child of God” or the victorious eternal name granted by our Lord and Savior when we will be received in his heavenly kingdom.