Three Gospel Truths for Japan

A Peek into Japan’s View of Christianity

“So what are you doing here in Gunma?” A random man couldn’t help but ask the question. Our team was far away from our home in the Japanese prefecture, and we’d just finished hosting an evangelistic rally. Before returning to the church for the night, we were bathing in one of Gunma’s famous hot springs. As steam from the bath filled the brisk night air, I answered the stranger with something like, “I’m a Christian and want to share the hope of Christ.” “You are doing an honorable thing,” he said. “Religion is important. Christianity promotes good in society. Here we have different religions that also keep society moral.”

In Japan, this conversation is common. Polite people comment that Christianity seems helpful but not for them. It’s new and foreign. “New” because Japan has never had significant exposure to Christianity, or even monotheism. “Foreign” because Christianity is a religion from the West. Japan has religions of its own. The nation’s Shinto and Buddhist religious backdrop creates a relatively moral society. People respect each other. Japanese streets are safe. So, if Christianity is just another morality-enforcing religion, then what’s the need?

Japanese people generally believe the spiritual and the physical worlds exist side-by-side, even if they are largely self-contained. But sometimes, they crash into each other, and the result is always mystical. So it’s quite common for a Japanese person to talk about some sort of spiritual power. But that belief isn’t tethered to an overarching theological system. For example, each person you talk to might have a vastly different view of the afterlife. Some people might not believe in it at all. Others might believe in reincarnation. Still others might be persuaded that heaven and hell exist.

Most Japanese people think it’s wise rely on ancient traditions. After all, the logic seems to go, centuries of practices must surely have truth. Not everybody values these traditions equally, yet they remain. New building sites are always blessed by Shinto priests. People normally consult religious calendars when setting important dates, such as moves and weddings, in order to maximize blessings and avoid bad luck. For most Japanese people, these things are not logical but mystical. They think, “Why mess with old traditions? Why risk it? Surely a wise person at some point in history knew what was going on.” To venerate ancestors, as one priest described it, is to reach back through the generations and come closer to the divine.

Preparing for Japan

As you prepare to share Christ in my beautiful, proud, and ancient nation, you should treasure three truths of Scripture. First, the story of redemption started in eternity past; second, God communicates to us clearly; and third, God is absolutely holy.

The Story of Redemption Began in Eternity Past

Contrary to what many Japanese people think, Christianity is not a new and Western religion. Justin Martyr was an apologist in the very early church. The Romans denounced Christianity as a new religion. Justin countered by saying that the claims of Christianity are “alone true, and are older than all the writers who have existed.” He spilled much ink demonstrating how all of the ancient Hebrew texts pointed toward Christ, and heathen legends are the destructive lies of demons. The truth Justin Martyr preached remains true even in a Japanese context.

The Bible tells a story that encompasses all of history. It begins at creation and recalls the origins of human sin and rebellion. The plan for salvation through Jesus is first introduced with God’s promise to humanity’s first parents, Adam and Eve (Gen 3:15). Later, Scripture teaches that the plan for salvation actually begins “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4 ESV). The gospel began in eternity past. It originated from the God who created all things, and he will accomplish his plan to save. Christians do not follow old lies that lead to hell, but rather are restored to life-giving relations with the Creator of the universe. Compared to any false religion, Christianity is more ancient and more truthful. It alone offers the path to salvation.

The Clarity of Special Revelation

In contrast to Shintoism’s confusing and sometimes contradictory statements, Scripture is clear. Both Shintoism and Buddhism lack a central document and a coherent worldview. Scripture consistently and clearly states the perfections of God, the sinful nature of humanity, the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus, and the eternal destiny of humans. The Christian message can be explained and known. Truth isn’t bound up in mystery, and faith comes through hearing and understanding the Word of God. As Paul says, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? . . . So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom 10:14a, 17). God reveals himself clearly through Scripture so that people can be truly saved.

Don’t lose sight of this miracle. God speaks light into the darkness of our minds. On our own, there is no way humans could ever comprehend God. Yet God has given us his Son and his Word to give us understanding. Compared to the false religions of Japan, the Christian gospel is understandable, consistent, and life-giving.

The Absolute Holiness of God

Japan is a polite, ordered society. Kids wander around safely. And yet, behind this civility lurks the ugly reality of destructive, deceitful sin. For example, sexual sin is rampant. Suicide is terribly common, particularly among young people. Sometimes we blur our eyes and forget the evil ugliness of sin. When some people say that religion can help them become a better version of themselves, we recognize this as hollow. Maintaining an acceptable outward appearance is highly valued in Japanese society. People measure morality by how other people perceive them. If we do not know the absolute holiness of God, then it’s easy to minimize sin and trivialize salvation. We must continually be struck by God’s holiness.

In Revelation 4, we get a peek into the throne room of God. We hear angels proclaiming nonstop, “‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’” (Rev 4:8b). He is perfectly pure and righteous. Our sin, no matter how trivial we think it is, separates us from our holy God. Sinners are dead apart from God, the source of life. The gospel isn’t about helping people who make mistakes. It brings life to those who are dead in their sin. In contrast to the best virtue-building philosophies of the world, the Christian gospel is distinct. The gospel declares that Jesus has come to resurrect dead souls.

Conclusion

There’s no perfect method for evangelizing Japanese people. There’s no perfect tract or apologetic that will convert the whole nation. The answer to being an effective missionary isn’t coming up with a perfect cultural analysis. Rather, we need to know the gospel deeply and proclaim the gospel boldly.