Episode 5 - Japan: A Christian Nation?

Sometimes words that we use in English come with a degree of baggage in Japanese. "Missionary" is one such word, and in this episode I reflect on why that's the case, and how we deal with that in our work here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the aftermath of WWII, Japan lay in ruins. General MacArthur was tasked with helping rebuild the country. During a conversation with Emperor Hirohito, MacArthur was offered the chance of a lifetime. In this episode, I talk about that opportunity, and reflect a bit on what it would have meant for the country, as well as what it can teach us today.Research References:Harry Fox, "God's Unconditional Commitment To Us""General Told Of Barring Offer To Create A Christian Japan" https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/07/archives/general-told-of-barring-offer-to-create-a-christian-japan.html"SCAPIN-550: REMOVAL AND EXCLUSION OF UNDESIRABLE PERSONNEL FROM PUBLIC OFFICE 1946/01/04" https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/9885619?itemId=info%3Andljp%2Fpid%2F9885619&__lang=en"Remaking Of The Orient": https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/christ-and-the-remaking-of-the-orient "MacArthur Encouraged Religion In Postwar Japan" https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-06/book-details-macarthurs-efforts-fill-japanese-spiritual-vacuum-after-world-war-ii Joyce Kilmer, "Trees" https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12744/treesYasuo Furuya, "Postwar Protestant Missionary Work In Japan" https://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/4177Lawrence Wittner, "MacArthur And The Missionaries: God And Man In Occupied Japan" https://www.jstor.org/stable/3637830https://www.panorientnews.com/en/news.php?k=1023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Leslie talks about how he presented the message of the gospel in a specific context for Japanese friends Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Notes from the field is the podcast of Les Taylor, a minister serving in Matsudo, Japan. In this episode, Les shares a glimpse of religion in Japan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Leslie shares thoughts about his family's approach to their mission and ministry in Japan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this maiden voyage into a new podcast, Leslie introduces the new podcast and talks about the biggest challenge of his current work, along with the biggest blessing. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.