Naoko Brown In 1548 Anjiro said My people would not immediately become Christians but they would first ask you a multitude of questions weighing carefully our answers and your claims Above all they would observe whether your conduct agrees with your words If you should satisfy the ID: 514833
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Slide1
Cultural Barriers to the Gospel in Japan
Naoko BrownSlide2
In 1548, Anjiro said…
“
My people would not immediately become Christians, but they would first ask you a multitude of questions, weighing carefully our answers and your claims. Above all, they would observe whether your conduct agrees with your words. If you should satisfy them on these points by suitable replies to their inquiries and by a life above reproach, then as soon as the matter was known and fully examined, the king, the nobles, and the educated people would become Christians. Six months would suffice; for the nation is one that always follows the guidance of reason.”Slide3
Main Religions in Japan
1.
Shinto
Indigenous to Japan
8 million godsNo absolute “right” or “wrong”.Slide4
Main Religions in Japan
2
. Buddhism
Buddha never claimed deity
Precepts to achieve Enlightenment.
Over 90 million JapaneseSlide5
Main Religions in Japan
3.
Confucianism
Philosophy than religion
Influenced Japanese culture
Harmony, consideration, courtesy, hierarchySlide6
History of Christianity in Japan
Keikyo Claim (70 AD)
Francis Xavier (1549)
Many martyred
Now 1-2% of the populationSlide7
Barriers to the Gospel
Exclusiveness of Christianity
Only One God = Arrogant
Mixing and matching and covering all the bases
Attitudes
Loving culture,
Fun,
Family tradition,
Too scared not to – spiritually boundSlide8
Shichigosan
Celebration of children’s growthSlide9
Jichinsai
Ask blessings
from the god of the landSlide10
Obon
Welcoming ancestors’ spiritsSlide11
2. Wariness and Apathy toward Religions
Historical background developed apathy
Cult scandals developed wariness
Guarding heart: “Say no to religion”
Barriers to the GospelSlide12
3. Becoming Christian = No more Japanese?
Christianity is a Western religion
Stop taking care of ancestors?
Are all of my ancestors in hell?
Barriers to the GospelSlide13
Buddhism Family Alter (
Butusudan
)Slide14
Shinto Godshelf
(
Kamidana
)Slide15
4. Not sure what SIN is.
“Are you calling me a criminal?”
God is Holy and Perfect.
Not only actions, but the heart as well
We cannot cleanse ourselves!
Barriers to the GospelSlide16
5. Free Gift of Grace. Really?
Obligation rather than Freedom
Performance-oriented society
Hard to grasp the concept of God’s Grace.
Barriers to the GospelSlide17
6. What is Unconditional Love?
Not good at expressing LOVE
Not enough Praise for each other
Humble or ungrateful?
Barriers to the GospelSlide18
7.
Honne
and
Tatemae
“True Feelings”
vs “Public Façades”
Don’t be quick to judge
Read body languagePatiently develop a friendship
Barriers to the GospelSlide19
It comes down to….
Friendship Evangelism:
Love them unconditionally!
His Word
Cultural Specific Evangelism
PRAYERS!