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.
There are some spiritual practices within all cultures around the world which are certainly inconsistent with striving to live as a biblically based disciple. When people mix practices that are incompatible or adapt doctrines between religions which are contradictory, it is called “syncretism.” In biblical terms, this would be demonstrated in the way that the children of Israel constructed a golden calf and attempted to worship it as though it could in some way represent the God of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 32:1-8). It does not matter how the practice is explained or interpreted, there is an incompatibility that cannot be reconciled. The one true God does not tolerate idolatry, and worshiping an image cannot be incorporated into worshiping the one true God (Exodus 20:3-6).
However, not all spiritual practices that do not find their particular origin within Christian history are necessarily incompatible with Christianity. If they do not violate biblical doctrine, such practices could legitimately be appropriated for Christian use. Interestingly enough, we find illustrations of this during the same period in Israel’s history. In the design of the Ark of the Covenant and the designs and artwork incorporated into the tabernacle, we see imagery that was common throughout the region and even used by pagans. Images of winged angelic creatures (Exodus 25:18-20), the box type ark (Exodus 25:10-17), the priestly garments (Exodus 28), burnt offerings and sacrifices were all practices that were not exclusive to Israel and the rituals incorporated into the law of Moses. Yet, it was God himself who chose to incorporate them, reinterpreting them, into the rituals of his covenant people.
There are those who will attribute some magic or mysticism to smudging that is not necessarily a part of the action itself. But the erroneous view of some should not eliminate the value of an appropriate use of a practice that is consistent with biblical tradition. With any ritual action, even within the Christian church, various interpretations can be added which may not be consistent with the original intent of the ritual. Anointing oil is used within the Christian church (James 5:14), not because it has power in and of itself, but because it represents the healing power of God. Yet, you will find people purchasing anointing oil as though it has magical properties; such an interpretation is erroneous. Similarly, there are many who approach the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy fashion, which has been a problem even since biblical days (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). Yet, the legitimacy of the continued celebration of the Lord’s Supper is not in question. Therefore the misinterpretation of a ritual does not eliminate the value and appropriateness of the ritual when properly applied.
When considering smudging, one must ask, “What is it? Why is it done? Can it be interpreted in a Christian manner and appropriated for Christian use in a fashion that would be consistent with Scripture?”
What is it? Smudging is the ritual practice of burning certain natural plant materials in order to produce smoke that is used to bless items, symbolize spiritual purification, and to symbolize the rising of prayers from earth to heaven. The items typically burned include tobacco, Cedar, Sage, sweet grass. These natural plant materials are viewed as gifts from God and appropriate items to offer back to him in the form of fire and smoke.
Why is it done? While various individuals will provide a variety of answers, the common traditional reason for smudging is to symbolize the need to differentiate between what is common and what is sacred and to invoke God’s blessing upon what is being smudged. Smudging is a “prayer action,” in which the smoke is used to represent the cleansing and protective power of God and the desire of those participating in the act to have the divine blessing upon them. While some may say that the smoke itself purifies, it would be more accurate to say that it represents the ability of God to purify and also represents the prayer of the one who is smudging to be cleansed. Smudging is not representative of lifelong purity, as it is done repeatedly… more like a invocational prayer at the beginning of a worship service or a benectional blessing at a worship service’s conclusion.
Can it be interpreted in a Christian manner and appropriated for Christian use in a fashion that would be consistent with Scripture? The bias against smudging has more to do with Western misunderstanding then the action itself. Smudging is the burning of natural incense as a form of blessing and invocation. The burning of incense was an important part of the ritual life in both the Tabernacle of the days of Moses and the Temple in Jerusalem, and was regarded as a pleasing aroma before the Lord (Exodus 25:6; 30:1-8; Luke 1:5-9). We see references to the use of incense in the New Testament (Matthew 2:11), including the specific references given by the apostle John in the book of Revelation (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). The burning of incense in Christian worship has been a common practice throughout the history of the Christian Church. The type of incense used, whether specially prepared resins or natural plant material is less important than the reason behind its use and the manner that it is used. There is no leap that one must take to see the ability of American Indian smudging to be used within the context of the Christian faith.
When American Indian Christians smudge, they are affirming and celebrating the heritage that God gave them as they celebrate the salvation comes through Jesus Christ. There is no contradiction between affirming American Indian culture and spiritual practices within the context of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so long as those practices do not violate Scripture. When American Indian Christians embrace such cultural traits, they are affirming that the gospel belongs to every people, tribe, and nation. They are also claiming such practices for Christ and relating their witness of Christ to others who are celebrating the same culture (Acts 21:22-26). While not all who are smudging within any given setting may be viewing all of the actions from a Christian context, the opportunity to celebrate Christ and claim such events on behalf of Christ is a practice that goes back to the days of the apostles (Acts 17:16-34).
