Rediscovering Japan, Reintroducing Christendom: Two Thousand Years of Christian History in Japan

by Samuel Lee

Overview

In Rediscovering Japan, Reintroducing Christendom Japan's unvoiced Christian history and cultural roots are examined from an alternative perspective. It is commonly believed that Christianity was introduced to Japan by the Spanish and Portuguese missionaries during the 1500s; however, Samuel Lee draws on various forms of cultural, religious and linguistic evidence to argue that Christianity was introduced to Japan through the Lost Tribes of Israel, who were converted to Christianity through the missionary efforts of the Assyrian Church of the East around A.D. 500. Much of the evidence he discusses has become submerged into many Japanese folkloric songs, festivals and is to be found in temples. There are, for example, approximately 300 words in Japanese and Hebrew/Aramaic that are similar. Further, Dr. Lee outlines the history of Catholicism in Japan during the 1500s, the systematic persecution of Christians from 1600s to the 1800s, and the rise of Protestant Church in Japan. The historical portion of the book ends with an analysis and discussion of 21st century Japanese society. Lastly, in Rediscovering Japan, Reintroducing Christendom, Samuel Lee questions the missiological methods of Western Christianity and advocates an approach based in dialogue between Christianity and other cultures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761849490
Publisher:	Hamilton Books
Publication date:	03/01/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	1 - 17 Years

About the Author

Samuel Lee is a sociologist specializing in Japanese society and culture. He is president of Foundation University in the Netherlands and a member of the Christian Sociological Society and Japan Sociological Society of the University of Tokyo.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Foreword Eleanor Holmes Norton ix

1 Introduction: An Administered System of Government Ronald Walters 1

Politics

2 Home Rule for the District of Columbia Michael K. Fauntroy 21

3 Water Washington: Mayor of the Last Colony Toni-Michelle C. Travis 45

4 Marion Barry, Jr.: A Politician for the Times Wilmer J. Leon III 61

5 Sharon Pratt Kelly: The Reform Mayor Toni-Michelle C. Travis 87

6 The High Tide of Pragmatic Black Politics: Mayor Anthony Williams and the Suppression of Black Interests Daryl B. Harris 103

Public Polity

7 The Mayor as the Head School Master ReShone L. Moore 121

8 Can Washington, D.C., Youth Speak? Youth, Educations, and Race in the Political Socialization Process Darwin Fishman 137

9 Banished: Housing Policy in the District of Columbia and the Struggle of Working Families Willilam G. Jones 157

10 Democracy and Its Impact on Rehabilitative Resources in the District of Columbia Kevin L.Glasper 181

11 The Dynamics of Poverty in the District of Columbia Angelyn Flowers 205

12 Communicaiting Liberation in Washington, D.C. Jared A. Ball 225

13 Conclusion Ronald Walters Toni-Michelle C. Travis 255

Index 263

About the Authors 277

Editorial Reviews

A unique and challenging view of the historic overlap between Japanese Shintoism and Buddhism and Christianity. It is a pleasure to observe the depth of his awareness…

Prof. Toshifumi Uemura

One of the most exciting and provocative contributions to discussions of global Christianity that I have read in a long time…A fascinating, in-depth and detailed portrait…His argument is compelling and extremely well-documented...

Carl Raschke

[Lee's] research, which has become an enormous source book in the history of Japanese Christianity, culture and language suggests that it is indeed possible that the Japanese people originated from Israel...

Hiroko Ayabe

Lee offers a truly unique point of view and necessary commentary on the subject of Christian mission in today's world…This work is to be highly recommended.

Brian McLaren

[Lee's] research, which has become an enormous source book in the history of Japanese Christianity, culture and language suggests that it is indeed possible that the Japanese people originated from Israel...--Hiroko Ayabe, founder of Japan Revival Ministries, Tama Gospel Center

A unique and challenging view of the historic overlap between Japanese Shintoism and Buddhism and Christianity. It is a pleasure to observe the depth of his awareness...--Prof. Toshifumi Uemura, Japan Lutheran College

Lee offers a truly unique point of view and necessary commentary on the subject of Christian mission in today's world...This work is to be highly recommended.--Brian McLaren, author, speaker, and activist

From the Publisher