Reassessing the Christian Faith of one of New South Wales’ first governors - with Peter Adam

Today we profile the Christian faith of one of the most significant figures of the early colony of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, and his evangelical wife Elizabeth (yes the one used to sit in Mrs Macquaries Chair just across from where the Sydney Opera House is). 

In this ‘Best Of’ episode we discuss John Harris’ book ‘Judging the Macquaries’ - with Peter Adam

Harris’ book scrutinises and reassesses the lives of early governor of NSW Lachlan Macquarie and Elizabeth. 

John Harris paints a more spiritually positive picture of Governor Lachlan Macquarie than had previously been understood.  Mrs Macquarie was a clear evangelical.  Lachlan Macquarie’s Christian faith causes him to stand out in significant policy areas from the dominant views of the time: in his attitudes, behaviour and policies relating to both convicts and indigenous persons.
As Harris paints it - The picture of Macquarie is in sharp contrast to his chief antagonist Rev Samuel Marsden.  The book caused me to reassess the more positive view of Marsden that I argued in 2015 (http://bit.ly/steele-on-marsden).
Harris’ conclusions are debated by Marsden scholar David Pettett, who says Harris is biased against Marsden (See his comment in the discussion here bit.ly/3G90Btu). 

The Former Principal of Ridley Theological College Melbourne Peter Adam is one of the foremost voices in this space in Australian Christianity and he is delighted with Harris’ new work. 

Links: 

To order ‘Judging the Macquaries’ online.

Dominic Steele’s 2015 address on Samuel Marsden.