The Life and Thought of Kanzo Uchimura, 1861-1930 [Paperback]

Mr. Hiroshi Miura (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 1997

Uchimura claimed that Japan adopted Western civilization at the reopening of the country in the late nineteenth century but did not adopt Christianity itself - the very cause, spirit, and life of Western civilization. This was the origin of all the difficulties Japan had been experiencing. There is no question that Uchimura believed Christianity would save Japan and the Japanese; the real question was "What kind of Christianity?" In his view Christian faith entails a radical dependence on the gospel; baptism, communion, and the other sacraments are not necessary. He also believed that God's truth can be revealed directly to each individual, so that an intermediary between God and people, such as a minister, priest, or pope, is not required. This argument led Uchimura to start the Mukyokai-shugi (Non-church), a denial of the institutional church. Miura here explores in depth this theme in Uchimura's thought as well as Uchimura's particular vision of Japan's mission to the world. This study not only offers Western readers new information about Kanzo Uchimura and the Japanese Non-church Movement; it also provides important insights into the way Christianity can be indigenized in a new culture, such as that of modern Japan

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (February 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802842054
• ISBN-13: 978-0802842053
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,811,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Christian faith apart from organized religion, April 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Life and Thought of Kanzo Uchimura, 1861-1930 (Paperback)

This book provides an important resource for the Christian community. Kanzo Uchimura was a Japanese Christian prophet whose life still influences culture in his homeland. Because his works are not available in English, Miura's book provides access to non-Japanese people. Uchimura developed the concept of Mukyokai, the non-church Christian movement. To this day tens of thousands of believers in Japan worship in homes and rented public spaces. Without ordained clergy or church organizations, the people provide each other with nurture in faith.