ya, my thought is, being what exists and used/well known in Japanese churches is western stuff, it sometimes draws people, but not in a way that a significant portion of the population chooses to consider it. That's not to say it isn't helpful, just hasn't been influential in reaching a significant portion of the population. I think the church can learn from Starbucks/McDonalds in being themselves, but still Japanese friendly to Japanese people.
Interesting. Japan requires its people to be conformed to "the world" (in the form of Japanese culture) so to say whereas Christianity requires followers to be 'conformed to Christ'. The two are always at odds. To attempt to bring them together as a compromise will always be problematic.
thanks for the interaction. I'd have to say that the Japanese church is probably less conformed to 'the world' (Japan) than the American church is to 'the world' (America). Those are the two contexts I'm familiar with, but to the truth is there is no pure 'conformed to Christ' church that isn't to some degree conformed to the world. Also, my stance on this channel is less 'Christ against culture' and more 'Christ transforming culture' (see Niebuhr 'Christ and Culture'). Blessings!
We have one lady who has come to church a number of times, non Christian, who comes in part because she likes singing Western hymns.
ya, my thought is, being what exists and used/well known in Japanese churches is western stuff, it sometimes draws people, but not in a way that a significant portion of the population chooses to consider it. That's not to say it isn't helpful, just hasn't been influential in reaching a significant portion of the population. I think the church can learn from Starbucks/McDonalds in being themselves, but still Japanese friendly to Japanese people.
Interesting. Japan requires its people to be conformed to "the world" (in the form of Japanese culture) so to say whereas Christianity requires followers to be 'conformed to Christ'. The two are always at odds. To attempt to bring them together as a compromise will always be problematic.
thanks for the interaction. I'd have to say that the Japanese church is probably less conformed to 'the world' (Japan) than the American church is to 'the world' (America). Those are the two contexts I'm familiar with, but to the truth is there is no pure 'conformed to Christ' church that isn't to some degree conformed to the world. Also, my stance on this channel is less 'Christ against culture' and more 'Christ transforming culture' (see Niebuhr 'Christ and Culture'). Blessings!
@@j-c-a-t-s What is the main biblical support for Niebuhr's stance?
@@John3.36 I'd suggest reading him! 😀
@@j-c-a-t-s The issue is pointing to wise men for understanding rather than the scriptures themselves.