I shared at Ministry Class at CCBC Tokyo this morning (Thank you for inviting us!). Here was the manuscript;
Evangelism to Japanese People
1A Polytheistic Belief
1B Superiority of the Creator
2B Problem of Syncretism
1C Japanese People
2C Missionaries
2A Family Relationships
1B Discipleship of Jesus
2B Paul’s Evangelism
3A Continuity of Life and Death
1B Death and Resurrection
2B Salvation by Grace
Text
My name is Kiyo. I have been a missionary to Japan since 1997 and I’m a native Japanese. My wife and I, however, have been overseas for 5 and ha half years, from 2005 to 2010. So, our hearts are always on mission. We came back to Japan in the end of 2010, and in 2011, we started church planting in downtown Tokyo. Name of our church is “Logos Christian Fellowship”. We praise the Lord for His harvest because most of the members are very new in the Lord for less than 2 years.
The other day, Pastor Bob from CC Honolulu came to Tokyo. During our conversation, he asked me if I know any good Christian apologetist to Japanese people. I said “No”. When Japanese believers ask me regarding apologetics, I usually recommend the following two books: One is “Case For Christ” and the other “Case For Faith” by Lee Strobel because the questions raised in those books are the same common questions held among Japanese non-believers.
But there are issues that are not written in the books because they are unique to Japanese situation. First issue is their strong polytheistic belief. The second factor is the strong bond among family members. The third one is their strong emotions concerning death and funeral.
Today I would like to make an attempt to share with you how to effectively share gospel and present apologetics to Japanese people. First I would like to share my experience of my own salvation and also my parents.