Overcoming Barriers to Evangelization in Japan
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
With the advent of the Reiwa era and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the world’s attention is riveted on Japan’s grand tradition. Yet these same traditions are the ones that are hindering our efforts for evangelization. A college student knows he will be disowned by his family if baptized, and a Christian wife cannot receive baptism because of her Buddhist husband’s strong opposition. How can we combat against these? There are two approaches: 1. We can condemn Japanese practices as total darkness and preach against them, or; 2. We can follow Paul’s teaching and deem the Japanese people as worshiping “an unknown god” (Acts 17:22-31), and try to emphasize common grace at each turn. This book follows the second approach, but provides judiciously placed “caution” signs. It will tell you how to engage in conversation with non-Christians while providing an insider’s view of Japan’s rich cultural heritage. Its main purpose is to obtain conversion among the die-hard Buddhists, Shintoists, and traditionalists. When that is done, God’s kingdom will be enriched in a manner similar to the time when Saul of Tarsus became Paul the apostle.
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“David Lu’s volume is unique and important. Dr. Lu has taught
Japanese history for decades, and is as conversant with Buddhism,
Shintoism, and Confucianism as any expert, yet he is also a
theologically trained, committed Protestant Christian. Both his
years of scholarship and his personal experience as a believer
sharing his faith come together in this book. It calls for both
high respect toward Japanese culture and an unflinching
presentation of gospel truth. Anyone at all concerned to see
Christianity flourish in Japan and serve its people well should
read this book.”
—Tim Keller, Redeemer City to City
“As Dr. Lu navigates a boundless journey with his tricultural
background and exuberant spirits on mission in Japan, readers will
find themselves well equipped for their journey to come.”
—Asako Hirohashi, translator of The Prodigal God and
Center Church
“This brief work covers a number of key factors that impede
effective evangelism in Japan, and gives insightful recommendations
for missionaries seeking to advance the gospel in a Japanese
context.”
—Robert A. Drews, Mission to the World, Japan Country Deputy
Director
“With his rich and accurate understanding of both the heart and
mind of the Japanese as well as those of Christian missionaries,
Dr. David Lu gives practical tips for bringing Christian faith into
the religious and cultural context of today’s Japan.”
—Yuki Takai-Heller, Tainan Theological College, Taiwan
“As someone who was a missionary in Japan for more than 20 years, I
found this book very insightful and easy to read. Even though the
author was never a missionary there, he does an excellent job
thinking through both the barriers to the Gospel and some practical
ways to deal with them. I wish I had had this book when I arrived
in Japan!"
—Steve Weemes, former OMF missionary to Japan
Product Details
- Title : Overcoming Barriers to Evangelization in Japan
- Author: Lu, David J.
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Publication Date: 2019
- ISBN: 9781532692765
David J. Lu is professor emeritus of history and Japanese
studies at Bucknell University. His works—he writes in English
about Japanese history and business practices and in Japanese about
American history and society—reflect his desire to be a
bridge-builder between the two countries. His works have benefited
from his almost-unlimited access to all strata of Japanese society.
This volume is his seventeenth book, and his second on
evangelism.