Rediscovering Japan, Reintroducing Christendom
Two Thousand Years of Christian History in Japan
Format:Paperback
Publisher:University Press of America
Published:1st Mar '10
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
In Rediscovering Japan, Reintroducing Christendom Japan's unvoiced Christian history and cultural roots are examined from an alternative perspective. It is commonly believed that Christianity was introduced to Japan by the Spanish and Portuguese missionaries during the 1500s; however, Samuel Lee draws on various forms of cultural, religious and linguistic evidence to argue that Christianity was introduced to Japan through the Lost Tribes of Israel, who were converted to Christianity through the missionary efforts of the Assyrian Church of the East around A.D. 500. Much of the evidence he discusses has become submerged into many Japanese folkloric songs, festivals and is to be found in temples. There are, for example, approximately 300 words in Japanese and Hebrew/Aramaic that are similar. Further, Dr. Lee outlines the history of Catholicism in Japan during the 1500s, the systematic persecution of Christians from 1600s to the 1800s, and the rise of Protestant Church in Japan. The historical portion of the book ends with an analysis and discussion of 21st century Japanese society. Lastly, in Rediscovering Japan, Reintroducing Christendom, Samuel Lee questions the missiological methods of Western Christianity and advocates an approach based in dialogue between Christianity and other cultures.
Lee offers a truly unique point of view and necessary commentary on the subject of Christian mission in today's world…This work is to be highly recommended. -- Brian McLaren, speaker, pastor, and author of The Road We Make by Walking
[Lee's] research, which has become an enormous source book in the history of Japanese Christianity, culture and language suggests that it is indeed possible that the Japanese people originated from Israel... -- Hiroko Ayabe, founder of Japan Revival Ministries, Tama Gospel Center
A unique and challenging view of the historic overlap between Japanese Shintoism and Buddhism and Christianity. It is a pleasure to observe the depth of his awareness… -- Prof. Toshifumi Uemura, Japan Lutheran College
One of the most exciting and provocative contributions to discussions of global Christianity that I have read in a long time…A fascinating, in-depth and detailed portrait…His argument is compelling and extremely well-documented... -- Carl Raschke, professor of religious studies, University of Denver, author, The Next Reformation and GloboChrist
ISBN: 9780761849490
Dimensions: 231mm x 155mm x 13mm
Weight: 324g
210 pages