Religions and Inculturation: Ebina Danjyo's Japanese Christian Theology

grantor: University of St. Michael's CollegeThis thesis studies inculturation of Christianity in Japan. Inculturation, a dialogue between the gospel and culture, helps a local church to find a fruitful meaning of Christianity in a particular cultural situation. This notion, seeking latent forms of the gospel values in cultures, has developed since the Vatican Council II. In an older missiology, local culture is disregarded on account of an Augustinian view of human nature; however, according to John Hick, Irenaeus of Lyon (c.130–c.202) holds an alternative view of human nature which appreciates human efforts in growth. This view encourages local churches to recognize positively the values of cultural activities. Danjyo Ebina (1856–1937), a Japanese Protestant theologian, tried to interpret the Japanese traditional culture in light of Christianity and developed a unique theology which appreciates his cultural tradition. His theology can be regarded as an early attempt to inculturate Christianity in Japan.M.A