Living for Jesus and Japan: The Social and Theological Thought of Uchimura Kanzo

by Shibuya Hiroshi; Chiba Shin

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2013

Overview

Uchimura Kanzo (1861–1930) was an independent, original, and thought-provoking pioneer of Christianity in modern Japan. His theological values were organically linked with his aspiration for living and practicing such evangelical ideas as prophetic existence, neighborly love, social justice, pacifism, patriotism, and internationalism in the sphere of public life. Uchimura’s commitment to the interaction between religious thought and social life is apparent in his well-known epitaph: “I for Japan; Japan for the World; the World for Christ; and All for God.”

In this interdisciplinary, multi-angled approach to Uchimura Kanzo, the contributors shed light on the inner logic, meanings, and modes of interaction between the religious and social thought observable in Kanzo.

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Key Features

• Biographical sketch of Uchimura Kanzo
• Commentary on the interaction between the religious and social thought of Kanzo

Contents

• Part I. Historical Context and Social Thought
  • Japan for the World
  • Uchimura Kanzo and American Christian Values
  • Uchimura Kanzo and His Pacifism
  • Prophetic Nationalism: Uchimura Between God and Japan
  • The Legacy of Uchimura Kanzo’s Patriotism: Tsukamoto Toraji and Yanaihara Tadao
• Part II. Biblical Studies and Theological Thought
  • The Biblical Research Method of Uchimura Kanzo
  • Uchimura and His Mukyokai-Shugi
  • Uchimura’s View of the Atonement in Kyuanroku (The Search for Peace)
  • Uchimura Kanzo on Justification by Faith in His Study of Romans: A Semantic Analysis of Romans 3:19–31
  • Uchimura Kanzo and His Atonement Eschatology: On “Crucifixianity”

Contributors

• Andrew E. Barshay
• Chiba Kei
• Chiba Shin
• Lee Kyougae
• Miura Hiroshi
• Ohyama Tsunao
• Shibuya Hiroshi
• Shogimen Takashi
• Takahashi Yasuhiro
• Yagyu Kunichika

Praise for the Print Edition

In these essays on Uchimura Kanzo, readers will discover fresh perspectives on the United States, love of God and nation, pacifism, missionary movement, Bible, church, and Christian doctrine from one of the most extraordinary Christians of late Meiji and Taisho Japan. Written mainly by scholars working in Japan, this collection represents an outstanding contribution to Uchimura scholarship in English.

—Thomas John Hastings, senior research fellow, Japan International Christian University Foundation

Indicating how nationality formed ‘the uncrossable horizon of Uchimura’s thought,’ these essays explore the social and theological thought of one of the most prominent Christian figures in modern Japan. The topical approach of this volume complements more biographical approaches to Uchimura Kanzo, resulting in a compelling account of his struggle to articulate and live a biblical faith during a turbulent era of nation-formation and imperial expansion.

—Trent Maxey, associate professor of Asian languages and civilizations and history, Amherst College

Product Details

• Title: Living for Jesus and Japan: The Social and Theological Thought of Uchimura Kanzo
• Editors: Shibuya Hiroshi and Chiba Shin
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2013
• Pages: 237

About the Editors

Shibuya Hiroshi is professor emeritus at Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo, Japan. His other books include The Revolutionary Ideas of Puritanism and Uchimura Kanzo in Modern History of Thought.

Chiba Shin is a professor at the International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. He has also coedited Building New Pathways to Peace and Christian Ethics in Ecumenical Context.

Sample Pages from Living for Jesus and Japan: The Social and Theological Thought of Uchimura Kanzo