The Clash of Civilizations: An Intrusive Gospel in Japanese Civilization (Christian Mission and Modern Culture) [Paperback]

Robert Lee (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Press International (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563383047
• ISBN-13: 978-1563383045
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,235,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite fascinating, April 19, 2002

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Clash of Civilizations: An Intrusive Gospel in Japanese Civilization (Christian Mission and Modern Culture) (Paperback)

In this fascinating book, Professor Robert Lee of Tokyo Biblical Seminary examines Christianity in Japan. Professor Lee argues that the Christian theology introduced by missionaries throughout Japanese history was developed around (and as such had woven inside of it) Western individualism. As such, Christianity in Japan has always been viewed not only as a foreign philosophy, but one that clashes with Japanese culture at its most basic levels.

Professor Lee looks at the underlying culture in Japan, explaining how it is different from Western culture, and what it means for the individual and for Japanese society. He then examines the religious philosophies of Buddhism and Confucianism, and points out how Christianity rides a middle ground between the two, in a way that is not fundamentally at odds with either culture. (This chapter was breathtaking, and I was unable to put the book down while reading it!) The final chapter is a look at the history of the Church in Japan, and the changes it needs to make in itself and in Japanese culture.

I can't say enough about this book. Professor Lee's analysis of Japanese culture was quite fascinating, giving me a better understanding of it than I have gotten from any other book. If you are interested in Christianity in Japan, or just in Japan itself, then I highly recommend this book to you.