Customer Reviews

A History of Japanese Theology

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After reading Silence by Shusaku Endo, I became more interested in Japanese Christianity. This slim volume is, as the jacket says, the first history of Japanese theology written by Japanese theologians. It is long overdue. As Carl Michelson wrote in the 1960s (Japanese Contributions to Christian Theology), "Protestant Christianity is only one hundred years old in Japan. That means the Japanese church is one of the younger churches in Christendom. Yet, of all the younger churches, it is apprently the first to have developed a significant theology."

Furuya's book explores three generations of theologians in Japan, outlining the various challenges to the faith and the creative responses from several key thinkers. Dohi, Sato, Yagi, and Masaya are the central theologians covered, while others also appear.

Both Catholic and Protestant theologians are covered. Not much is made of the Eastern Orthodox (who have also been in Japan via Russia for some time).

This is an overall good book, well written and organized. And if you are interested in Japan and Christianity, do read Endo's works. He is one of the greatest writers of Japan and happens to be a convert to Christianity. His works explore themes of Christ, suffering, conversion, and the Japanese heart. Enjoy!