Portugal in Biblical Context (Iberia)

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1. Introduction

While Portugal is not directly mentioned in the biblical text, it forms part of the westernmost limits of the Roman world and later emerged as a key player in the global dissemination of Christianity. In antiquity, the region of modern Portugal was part of the Roman province of Lusitania, lying at the edge of the known world during the apostolic era. Though not featured in biblical narratives, Portugal’s later historical role in the expansion of Christendom and its symbolic alignment with the biblical mandate to reach “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) makes it a significant part of biblical geography in an extended, theological sense.

2. Historical and Geographical Background

2.1 Ancient Lusitania

  • The area now known as Portugal was inhabited by Iberian, Celtic, and later Lusitanian tribes.
  • Under Roman conquest (from 2nd century BCE), the region became the province of Lusitania, with Emerita Augusta (modern Mérida, Spain) as its capital.
  • Roman roads, cities, and cultural assimilation integrated Lusitania into the greater Roman world, which overlaps with the backdrop of the New Testament.

2.2 Roman and Apostolic Era

  • While Portugal is not mentioned in the Bible, it was part of the western Roman Empire, which forms the geopolitical setting of the New Testament.
  • The Apostle Paul expressed his intent to travel to Hispania (Romans 15:24, 28), which may have included or reached as far as Lusitania.

3. Indirect Biblical Connections

3.1 Romans 15:24, 28

“I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain… When I have completed this task… I will leave for Spain.”
— Romans 15:24, 28 (NIV)

  • While Paul specifically names Spain (Hispania), scholars debate whether his missionary ambitions might have extended as far as Lusitania, the western part of the Iberian Peninsula.

3.2 Acts 1:8 – Ends of the Earth

“You will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”

  • In Roman geography, the Atlantic coastline of Iberia—including what is now Portugal—was considered literally the western edge of the earth.
  • Portugal thus symbolically fulfils this biblical vision, particularly in its later role during the Age of Discovery.

4. Early Christian Influence and Archaeological Traces

4.1 Roman Christian Presence

  • Christianity reached Lusitania by the 3rd–4th centuries CE, likely through:
    • Roman administrative networks
    • Military posts
    • Trade routes
  • Archaeological discoveries in Portugal include:
    • Christian burial inscriptions
    • Early basilicas and church remains
    • Catacomb-style tombs in cities such as Lisbon (Olisipo) and Évora

4.2 Ecclesiastical Development

  • By the 4th century, Lusitania had a recognised episcopal structure, with bishops attending church councils such as:
    • Council of Elvira (c. 306 CE)
    • Council of Toledo (in neighbouring Hispania)

5. Portugal and the Biblical Mandate in Global Mission

5.1 Age of Discovery

  • During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal led the maritime expansion of Europe, exploring and colonising parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
  • Portuguese voyages brought Christian missionaries—especially from the Catholic Church—to:
    • India (Goa)
    • Japan
    • China
    • Brazil
    • Africa (Angola, Mozambique)

5.2 Biblical Fulfilment

  • Portuguese explorers were often motivated by a triadic vision: “God, Gold, and Glory.”
  • The “God” aspect reflected a desire to fulfil the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20), by spreading Christianity to newly encountered lands.

5.3 Jesuit Missions

  • Notable figures such as Francis Xavier, a Spanish Jesuit based in Portuguese Goa, became symbolic carriers of Christian missions, directly tying Portugal to the spiritual legacy of biblical evangelisation.

6. Theological Reflections and Missiological Impact

6.1 Western Horizon of Redemption

  • Portugal, as the far-western edge of the ancient world, occupies a symbolic place in salvation history:
    • It exemplifies how the gospel, born in the East, travelled westward “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
    • The Atlantic seaboard became the launching pad for global evangelism.

6.2 Missional Model

  • The Portuguese experience serves as a model (though with complex colonial entanglements) of:
    • Cross-cultural mission
    • Translation and inculturation
    • The movement from local to global Christianity

7. Legacy of Christianity in Portugal

7.1 Deep Catholic Roots

  • Portugal is historically a Roman Catholic nation, with:
    • Monasteries, cathedrals, and seminaries dating back to the medieval period
    • A major role in supporting the Counter-Reformation
  • The Portuguese Inquisition (1536–1821) also marked a dark chapter in the religious history of the country, highlighting tensions between religious zeal and intolerance.

7.2 Religious Sites and Devotion

  • Portugal is home to major Christian pilgrimage sites, especially:
    • Fátima: Site of Marian apparitions in 1917, now a global pilgrimage destination
    • Jerónimos Monastery (Lisbon): A symbol of religious and imperial identity

8. Conclusion

Though not named directly in the biblical canon, Portugal’s identity as ancient Lusitania, its place on the western fringe of the Roman world, and its later role in the global expansion of Christianity firmly embed it within the broader framework of biblical geography and missiology. From Paul’s intention to reach the far west to Portugal’s own missionary voyages across the seas, the country stands as a historical and theological fulfilment of the biblical call to proclaim the gospel to “all nations.” Its archaeological remains, ecclesiastical history, and missionary heritage all contribute to its enduring spiritual significance.

Key Takeaways

  • Portugal = Ancient Lusitania, part of the Roman world at the time of the New Testament.
  • Paul’s intent to reach Spain may have included or bordered Portugal.
  • Acts 1:8’s “ends of the earth” is geographically fulfilled by Portugal’s Atlantic position.
  • Christianity arrived by the 3rd–4th centuries, with archaeological and textual evidence.
  • Portugal became a global missionary hub, especially through Jesuit missions during the Age of Discovery.

References

  • Romans 15:24, 28; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19–20
  • Neill, S. (1986). A History of Christian Missions. Penguin.
  • Moffett, S. H. (1998). A History of Christianity in Asia. Orbis Books.
  • Boxer, C. R. (1969). The Portuguese Seaborne Empire, 1415–1825. Hutchinson.
  • Chadwick, O. (1990). The Reformation. Penguin Books.
  • Costa, A. (2001). The Church in Portugal: Historical Overview. Lisbon Theological Journal.
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