The Japanese worldview has been formed from various spiritual and secular sources.  The first is Henotheism.  This is a belief in one god above others as a specific tribal god or over a particular people.  This is similar to the spiritual thinking of the Jewish nation of the Old Testament.  The Japanese people have always been a separatist nation.  Even though today they are very influential around the world, they have a very unified worldview. 

 

Another strong influence is Shintoism.  This is the basic Japanese political-religion tradition.  This is so tied to the political identity of the Japanese that early in the twentieth century, it what declared not to be a religion.  Therefore, during World War II, any of the restrictions placed on religions did not apply to Shintoism.  As a result, many Christians accepted Shintoism and mandatory visits to the Shinto shrines as a sign of patriotism. Shintoism teaches that Japan was created as a supreme nation, the Japanese people as a divine race, and the emperor as a direct descendant of the creator god.  Shintoism also leads to a lot of superstitions such as what direction to sleep, when to purchase something, where to live, etc.

 

Buddhism is the primary religion of Japan but no one follows only Buddhism.  It is always in conjunction with Shintoism.  Buddhism functions as a religion, an aesthetic stimulus, and a code of ethics.  Buddhism does not have a god nor a heaven or paradise as we would understand it.  There is a supernatural force or power beyond us and the ultimate goal is to detach ourselves from all pleasure or aspects of our world so that one would cease to exist as a separate entity in the after-life.  No one really achieves this but detachment is one of the highest virtue.

 

Taoism and Confucionism has also affected the Japanese spiritual and functional worldview.  They have strongly affected ethics and the educational system.  The combination of Confucionism and Buddhism has led to a strong obligatory society.  Japanese always know the "right" thing to do in any specific situation and are very concerned while here in the U.S. in knowing the "right" behavior.  As a result harmony is also one of the highest values.

 

The spiritual worldview of most Japanese students will be a combination of these teachings.  There is a saying that a Japanese person is "born Shinto, and dies Buddhist"

 

Even though all of these religions strongly affect the worldview of the Japanese people, most Japanese will claim to be atheists.  There is a common feeling that any religion is dangerous because it causes one to think irrationally.  They like religious events and the "feeling" one gets from religion but do not want to join an organized religion.  Many have a "try it and see" attitude.  They will participate but if they don't experience the results they seek, then they drop out. 

 

Japanese are able to accept and adopt behavior or attitudes that we as Americans would see as incongruent.  The following statistics demonstrate this worldview toward the spiritual:

 

                33% affirm any religious belief at all

                70% say religious feelings are important

                76% have some kind of shrine at home (usually Shinto plus ancestor)

                50-60% have a strong interest in the supernatural

                92% at Tokyo U. (in the late 80's) said they wouldn't join an organized religion

 

To summarize the Japanese worldview, the following chart may be helpful:

(Use "Printer Friendly" option above to get better alignment of the following)

 

Words/Concepts                                  Japanese                                                 Christian

Foreign to Japanese                            Understanding                                     Explanations

(1)  GOD                                                 Undefined force                                   Separate from His creation

                                                                Not personal                                         Transcendent only in boundaries

                                                                Different from humans only                   but physical form(Ps. 139)

                                                                    in degree                                            Complete fullness

                                                                Complete emptiness                            Has emotions as seen in humans,

                                                                                                                                    i.e. love (John 3:16; Deut. 7:8,

                                                                                                                                   II Chron. 2:11) and anger (Num.

                                                                                                                                    32:10, Isa. 5:25)

 

(2)  FALLEN MAN                              Man is naturally good                         Man was originally created in

                                                                Worldly attachments are                        God's image but since the fall,                                                                                                                              bad                                                        all persons are evil and imperfect

                                                                The ideal is to empty one-                      by nature (Gen. 1-3, Rom. 3:2)

                                                                    self of selfish desires

 

(3)  SIN                                                   Japanese word for "sin"                     Sin is a "crime of the heart"  (I

                                                                    is the same word as                             Sam 16:7, Matt. 5-6; Isa. 64:6)

                                                                    "crime" ... very few                          Sin is rebellion against God -            

                                                                    Japanese commit "crimes"                  refusing to accept our position

                                                                                                                                    beneath our primary superior                                                                                                                                                                                              (Rom. 3:2)

 

(4)  FORGIVENESS                              If a wrong has been done,                  There is no way for us to make

                                                                    restitution must be made.                   restitution to God.  Forgiveness

                                                                    If not possible, then end-                   is offered to us because of God's

                                                                    less shame must be borne                  mercy through Christ's sacrifice

                                                                    by the individual as well                 Forgiveness restores us to the same

                                                                    as the family.                                         relationship as before the wrong;

                                                                It is a virtue to continue on                    since God is our primary super-

                                                                    in spite of being wronged                   ior, we should imitate mercy

                                                                    but not to forgive                                 (Eph. 2:1, Matt. 6:15; I John

                                                                    (harmony)                                              1:19 Jer 31;34)

 

(5)  INDIVIDUAL                                 The large group or family                   God is the creator of all persons;                                        

DECISION/                                               is always most impor-                          we are His family; Jesus died for         

RESPONSIBILITY                              tant; one should not                            His people;  He made the                                                                                                                            stray from the thinking                        ultimate sacrifice for His people                                                                                                                of the group or do any-                       (John 12:24-26; 15:13; Rom.                                                                                                                                 thing to harm the group                           5:6-8)

 

 

 

(6)  EXCLUSIVE                                  There are many paths up                     God, Himself, told us not to have

       GOD OR                                              the same mountain                               any other paths (Exod. 20; Isa.

       RELIGION                                     There is resentment                                  45:6, 18, 22; John 14:6)

                                                                    against being forced to                   When in emergency situations,

                                                                    make a commitment                              one really does have an

                                                                                                                                    exclusive faith (Matt. 6:24)

 

 

Single-mindedness describes most Japanese students.  Hard work is another high value.  They strive for the best (school, job, etc.)  Success reflects on the whole group (family, company, etc.)  Often in schools a "Japanese society" develops.  It is an informal group but it exercises a great deal of pressure on all who attend the school.  They are proud as a people but are taught to feel a degree of shame as an individual.  All behavior in the society or family is controlled by shame. 

 

Japanese culture can be described as proprietary and obligatory.  The hierarchy of the culture is reflected in the language.  For example, certain words can only be used by women.  Verb endings depend on whether one is speaking to someone higher or lower.  "San" follows the name of most people out of respect but "chan" follows the name of someone younger than the speaker.  The language also reflects the tentative nature of Japanese and the desire to avoid confrontation.  Many verbs have a tentative form that would be used for another person and a definite intention that can only be used to express the intent to do something for oneself (this avoids ever disappointing another person or missing a commitment). 

 

The age of the student also determines the worldview.  College age students are the only people in Japan that are permitted to "take it easy".  Before college they must study 12 hours a day to enter college.  After college, they must work 12 hours a day.  Therefore, many of the 18-22 year old students here do not want to think about anything difficult here and will be less receptive to the gospel unless it accompanies something they enjoy such a ski retreat.  The older students are more serious but since they are single-minded, they will not be involved in anything that distracts them from their studies or research.  This is why a ministry to wives of students is very strategic.  The husbands become interested in the gospel as well when the wives bring home what they are learning. 

 

Japanese students generally struggle with English.  Therefore, either formal English classes or just offering to tutor or correct papers is an effective outreach.  Also, discussions of American culture and how Christianity has and does affect our culture is of great interest. 

 

Tours of any interesting spots in the area also can be a point of contact.  They are usually eager to spend holidays with Americans.

 

Since Japanese are so obligatory, the gospel is best communicated through unconditional love.  Some Japanese converts have stated that the love of Christ was what won them.  It is radically different to know a God of love and not just a God of judgment.  Also, many Japanese are without hope.  They may not express this, because they are not encouraged to nurture their spiritual side in Japan.  However, if one can get them to a point of examining their own beliefs, then hope, love, and complete forgiveness will meet their spiritual felt needs.

 

Finally, even though our worlds are so different, there are some points of contact that the Bible makes that can specifically speak to Japanese.  Some of them are:

 

                1) Shame vs. guilt (shame worldview is found Gen 3 and Lev. - "unclean")

                2) Compare original sin to family shame

                3) Compare Son of God to authority of the son of the emperor

                4) Sin means you can't look at the Father in the face

                5) Compare Jesus to hari kari to remove shame from the family

                6) Compare Jesus to cherry blossoms (died in prime or strength - not from weakness)

                7) God's family and adoption into the family

                8) Jesus = light (Buddhists seek enlightenment)

                9) Love vs. obligation

               10) The Biblical instructions for marriage

 

 

MINI (BUT IMPORTANT) STEPS TOWARD TOTAL COMMITMENT

 

___ Engages in dialogue with Christians about the Bible or Christian topics

___ Expresses own non-religious or non-Christian belief

___ Willing to consider Christian viewpoint

___ Believes God created the world

___ Believes God created mankind in His image - different than the rest of creation

___ Believes God is aware of an in control of all  things

___ Believes there is only one true God in the world

___ Believes all people have sinful hearts from birth

___ Believes all sin must and will be punished by God

___ Believes Jesus was truly God and truly man

___ Believes Jesus had the power to work miracles

___ Believes Jesus came back to life from being dead

___ All stories in the Bible are true

___ The Bible is from God

___ Can pray to God ( in English or own in first language)

___ Eager to tell others what they know about Jesus and the Bible

___ Believes Jesus is the only way

 

 

DISCIPLESHIP NEEDS OF JAPANESE CHRISTIANS

Encouragement !!!

 

To know why not to be "unequally-yoked"

 

Understanding of a Biblical marriage and what that would look like in Japan

 

Understand that men and women are created in God's image

 

Understand the Biblical view of work ( and study )

 

To see the blessings and affirmation God has for single Christians

 

Understand Lordship of Christ ( above all others )

 

Importance of world evangelism

 

Personal inductive Bible study skills

 

Importance of lay ministry

 

Understand incarnational vs. syncretism

 

Truly understand and accept both confession and acceptance of forgiveness

 

 

Biblical Worldview Concepts and Japanese Worldview - Comparison and Contrasts

 

Mark 2:21-22; Matthew 9:16-17; Luke 5:36-39

Many concepts deep within the basic Japanese concepts are very different than what the Bible teaches and therefore just as one cannot put new wine in an old wineskin or a new patch on old cloth, Biblical teachings must often replace one's worldview rather than put new concepts on top of the old traditional Japanese worldview.

 

Grace -

Romans 5:17 - Salvation is a gift from God.  A true gift is different than an obligation and does not need to be repaid or reciprocated.

Ephesians 2:8-10 - This gift of grace is given to us in order to free us up to do the good works for which God created us.  A feeling of obligation keeps us in bondage so we are not free to do the good works.

Micah 6:8 - What God wants for us is to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.

 

Prayer -

In prayer, we are talking directly to God.

Matthew 6:9-13;  Luke 11:2-4

God is our Good Father 

We are asking for God to do His Will on earth (not our responsibility to be perfect).

John 14:13-14 and16:23-24 -  We ask in the name of Jesus - our oldest brother - the King

Power is not in our prayers - power is in the One we are talking to and asking.

Ultimately it is a mystery how our prayers relate to the sovereignty of God.

 

Meditation -

Joshua 1:8 - We meditate on the Book of the Law or God's Word.

We strive for a deeper understanding of God and His Word.

We strive for a deeper connection with God not detachment.

We empty our hearts and mind of ourselves only to be filled by the Holy Spirit (not to remain empty).

 

Submission to Authority -

Ephesians 5:19-6:9 - We must submit to each other based on our position in the church or family.

Jesus submitted to authority as a child, in the synagogues, to God the Father, etc.

Paul submitted to authority of elders in Acts 15, to Roman authorities, etc.

Ephesians 6:19-20 - We need to pray for our pastors and elders.

Pastors, husbands, teachers have not wisdom on their own - only what is given by God for their position.

Galatians 3:26 - 4:7 - We are all equal heirs of God.  We are adopted children. 

We all have different gifts and responsibilities within the church and family.

 

Honoring Elders and Ancestors -

Yahweh is the "God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob". - Ancestors are very important to God's promises.

Jesus from the cross fulfilled his responsibility of Mary's oldest son and provided John as her son.

Ruth stayed with and cared for her mother-in-law. 

Jonathan and Saul - Jonathan did not go along with his father when Saul was acting against God's will but never rejected his father and ultimately stayed with him and died with him.

We must always follow God first.

Luke 16:19-31 - If our ancestors know more truth about God after death, they would want us to know and follow the truth.

 

Children of God or Child of the King

Ephesians 1:4,5 and Galatians 3 - We are God's adopted heirs.

John 14:17,18 - Jesus sends us his Holy Spirit.  We are never have the sole responsibility for anything we do.

 

Power of the Cross -

John 3:13-15 - The cross is a symbol of life and God's power just as looking up to the snake in the dessert.

The cross itself doesn't have power - only a reminder of the power over death and evil because of the resurrection.

We are not to have any idols - only reminders.

 

 

JAPANESE BOOKS

 

How to Study the Bible Deeply and How to Lead a Group Bible Study  - available from Kiristtosha Gakuseikai (IVCF)  -  Tel - 03.3294.6916    Fax  -  03.3294.6050     e-mail  kgkjapan@246.ne.jp

 

Forgiveness and Love - by Akira Hatori

God's Love for You - by Koji Honda

Responding to Japanese Religious Events - by Masahiro Katsumoto

                all available through Multi-Language Media, Inc.  PO Box 301  Ephrata, PA  17522   Ph. 717.738.0582    www.multilanguage.com

 

 

FOLLOW-UP NETWORKS

 

 

Japanese Christian Fellowship Network (follow-up in U.S. or Japan)

P.O.Box 260532, Highlands Ranch, CO  80126-0532

Phone:  (303)730-4226. (303)730 4160 Ext. 126 & 224  Fax: (303)730-4165

E-Mail: RDurston@CPROJECT.COM        or         SKuroda@CPROJECT.COM

 

JAPANESE CHURCH INFORMATION SERVICE (fee charged for referrals)

Matsui Building 2F     2-16-20 Shinbori     Niiza-shi, Saitama-ken 352     Japan

Phone: 0424-94-2219         Fax: 0424-93-4470