The Atlas Obscura Podcast · Friday, August 7, 2026
Johannes Kelpius held a notably progressive view of the indigenous Lenape people, stating that calling them 'savages' while calling Christians 'Christians' would be a disservice. He believed their religion and lifestyle were acceptable to God, and in many ways, they lived up to Christian ideals better than many Christians.
“He says, if I call them savages and call Christians, Christians, I would do a great disservice to both.”
“He was saying, in a lot of ways they live up to sort of like the ideals of Christian life way better than most Christians do.”
“And in fact, I think that their religion and lifestyle is probably perfectly acceptable to God, as we know him.”