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I think your take is quite right. My understanding is that, although there were the initial challenges related to language and culture, the faith came to be embraced by the people of Japan, peasant and noble alike. There were, of course, those who rejected it and were suspicious of its connections to a hierarchy in a foreign land. (Sound familiar?) Such is the divisive nature of Truth.Of course, there were complexities. For example, it's believed there may have been a rivalry of sorts between Jesuit missionaries and Franciscans who felt the Jesuits had become more concerned with wealth than converting souls. I did my best to incorporate these themes and intricacies into Masaru.
Frances wrote: "‘’A staple of the Catholic literary literary tradition. . . is that conversion is an act of violence. We are only just beginning to come to grips with the cultural violence that Christian missionaries, sometimes armed only with a Roman Missal and lacking any modern sense of inculturation, waged on Indigenous peoples all over the world. . . “ (Zac Davis, review of Missionaries by Phil Klay; America, 10/26/21)"America magazine needs to stop calling itself Catholic. It's worst than the colleges who call themselves Catholic and hand out condoms. If conversion is an act of violence then Jesus was a jihadist when he commanded us to evangelize to the world.
Thank you, Michael and Manny. And, John, I think I shouldn't have quoted the sentence I did for my lead-in. It's confusing. In trying to avoid politics, I scrambled thoughts, and am sorry. Here is the complete sentence: "A staple of the Catholic literary tradition, from St. Paul's description of baptism as death to Flannery O'Connor's gory moments of grace, is that conversion is an act of violence. We are only just beginning to come to grips with the cultural violence that Christian missionaries, sometimes armed only with a Roman Missal and lacking any modern sense of inculturation, waged on Indigenous peoples all over the world."
I agree completely with Manny's last comment. "Go forth and make disciples of all nations," was a responsibility given to the disciples by Jesus Himself. If we look around us in our own time, Bishop Robert Barron states that the mission of The Word On Fire Institute is to evangelize the culture. So, there is a disconnect. I am not sure how Zac Davis (of America magazine) or Phil Klay, the author of Missionaries, would resolve it.
The irony is that Zac Davis is probably unaware of his own inculturation that taints his view of history.
Michael wrote: "I think your take is quite right. My understanding is that, although there were the initial challenges related to language and culture, the faith came to be embraced by the people of Japan, peasant..."I reply the two questions overall the Big problem started with bhuddist priests they were the opposition to the Catholics. With the Shogun Oda Nobuga the first person Who starts the unification of Japan and to finish with the Wars of the Sengoku period One of the main enemies of Nobunaga were the Bhuddist priests and he wanted to reduce his influence supporting the Catholic religion. The problem of Nobunaga is that Nobunaga only believed in Nobunaga with all his murder was a disaster by the Catholics the others shoguns were a Oda Nobunaga's general Toyotomi Hideyoshi called Taiko at the beggining the things were right but he Saw case of corruptions in some cases and when he Saw that my King Philip II (he had Spain and Portugal) did not help him in the conquest of Korea and China he menace Spain and stupid captain said that Spain Will conquer Japan (fake New) Japan attacked Philipinnes and we defeated to samuráis and pirates called Waco in the Battle Cagayan during the Govern of Toyotomi Hideyoshi were martyrized Paul Miki and his Friends, and the things got worse when Tokugawa Ieyasu won the Battle of Shekigahara and he was the peacemaker of Japan. Tokugawa Ieyasu bet for the nationalism and the bhuddism and he pursued the Christians and he ordered the Sokaku or the closure of Japan to the foreign people except for the dutchs in Hejima. Tokugawa prefferred Nerherlands and England because they wanted only TRADE and if Ieyasu destroyed the christians of Japan better. Ieyasu was a friend of Paul Williams this Character inspired the dreadful Blackthorn of the James Clavell's novel Shogun. Curiously before the closure of the borders in 1613 where a group of japanese visited New Spain (México), Spain, and France the ambassador was Hasekura Tsunenaga Rokuemon Shusaku Endo told his Story in "Samurai". The persecution continued with the Tokugawa Ieyasu's son Hidetada, and his grandson Iemitsu The Last destroyed the christianity in Japan, although there was a proohecy called the Bastian Proohecy Who said the christianity would come back to Japan, meanwhile the survivors lived in secret, were known as Khrisithans. Finally Perry in 1855 forced to the Last Shogun to open the ports and In 1868 with the Meiji Revolution Japan although there was not the original purpose let the free cult to the Christians the american ambassador Towsend Harris was crucial.
Two important Christian Daimijos were Otomo Sorin and Takayama Ukon that there were rumors of canonization, and he died in the exile in Philippines. Kaga Otohiko a Shusaku Endo's friend wrote a novel about him.
About the question of converting somebody is Evil i totally agree with John and Manny. Without announcing the gospel there would not be Christians and the evangelization of Japan was peaceful Portugal and Spain had never wanted to conquer Japan and forced them to adopt the christianity Philip II was not a Gengis Kahn as Evelyn Waugh said in his biography about Edmundo Campion. When Hideyoshi purposed to Philip II to share China Philip II said not.
Mod
Frances, when I read " lacking any modern sense of inculturation," I can only think of the Brazilian Bishop (from Germany originally, of course) who boasted that he had never baptized a single person. This is similar to the orientation my son and I sat through when we visited Georgetown when he was looking at colleges. They never used the word "Catholic," describing themselves as a school "in the Jesuit tradition, and boasting of their having had the first resident rabbi and imam. As we were heading out for the tours my son said we could skip the tours and get an early start for New York. I asked him why and he said if he goes to a Catholic school it will not be to one that is ashamed of being Catholic.
John, that moment must have made an indelible impression on you. It did on me.
I have been a Catholic religious (monk), member of the Heralds of the Gospel since 2005.Although I was born in the United States, I lived my childhood in Costa Rica, Spanish being my mother tongue.
I have been a missionary in many Latin American countries, and now I live in a monastery (Eremo Lumen Prophetae), in Sao Paulo, Brazil, dedicating myself to pray, study and work, mainly painting, in our art studio.
I have written articles on spiritual and theological issues, published on some Catholic websites, mainly in our magazine "Heralds of the Gospel" and in the news agency "Gaudium Press".
Lover of fantasy stories... I have written some, published in the same places.
Currently I am mainly interested in artistic literature and the study of the writings of our founders, but I will appreciate recommendations on catholic, apologetics, fictional, spiritual books.
I want in the future to write some catholic minded stories…
God bless you!
Salve María
Hello Santiago welcome to Catholic Book Club. I hope that you find here good books for you
Mod
Although I was born in the United States, I lived my childhood in Costa Rica, Spanish being my mother tongue..."
As Fonch said, welcome to the Catholic Book Club. I hope you are able to join us in reading and discussing some of the books we choose here.
What an interesting background. I'm also an artist -- currently have an exhibit at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago -- contemporary interpretations of saints. I would love to see your work. (my website: www.marciawhitney-schenck)e-mail: chrnarts@aol.com
I don't know any Catholic artists -- it would be great to exchange thoughts and notes about spiritual art. Marcia Whitney-Schenck (Chicago)
John wrote: "Welcome members!This thread is for any members who would like to introduce themselves to the group. Please tell us a little something about yourself and what Catholic books or authors you would e..."
Hi! My name is Katy and I was so excited to stumble upon this group! My favorite genre is fantasy but I will read almost anything if the story is good. My favorite books ever are the Chronicles of Narnia.
I'll probably be that awkward person who doesn't finish the monthly book on time (My four kids keep me distracted). But I'll give it a shot!
Katharine wrote: "John wrote: "Welcome members!This thread is for any members who would like to introduce themselves to the group. Please tell us a little something about yourself and what Catholic books or author..."
Hello Kathy welcome to Catholic Book Club i wish you fund good books for you.
Hi everyone!I was invited by Fonch several months ago, but I have been just lurking. I guess I should finally introduced myself! My name is Helen. I am a third order Carmelite. I am especially enjoying the group for book recommendations. My Carmelite group is now reading The Reed of God, after I read it, because of the tip from this group.
I often use audiobooks as my eyes aren’t great anymore. I would say that my favorite secular genre is mysteries.
Thank you for adding me to the group!
Helen
Welcome, Helen. It's interesting you mention audio books. I also very much enjoy that format, and I'm contemplating recording one for my own book. Where are you located. (I know there are Carmelites not far from where I live in Jersey.)
Helen wrote: "Hi everyone!I was invited by Fonch several months ago, but I have been just lurking. I guess I should finally introduced myself! My name is Helen. I am a third order Carmelite. I am especially en..."
I repeat the same of my friend Mr. Cibenko welcome to Catholic Book Club Helen. I wish you find good books that you like and they were positive for your faith.
Hi! My name is Sinai and I'm a cradle Catholic from NYC. I read Catholic books here and there and try to read the Bible daily, but I would really love to read more! I hope this group can expose me to great books that will connect me further with my faith.
Welcome Sinai i wish you can find good books for you.
Inspector Javert: at the Gates of HellGreetings from the San Francisco Bay Area!
I am a former priest who, after transitioning into lay life, went on to serve in my local parish as a lay minister for another 20 years. Since entering lay life, I have written 16 books (both fiction and nonfiction). My latest, a novel, is Inspector Javert: at the Gates of Hell. In it I probe what happens in the instant after our heart stops beating, launching us into whatever comes next.... I use Javert's (fictional) life in Les Misérables as the catalyst for this probe. I hope you'll take a look.
Blessings to all for a safe and enjoyable 2022!
It is a very interesting topic Mr. Garrotto
Fonch wrote: "It is a very interesting topic Mr. Garrotto"Thank you for taking the time to respond.--AJG
Of course i could not let not reply to your post Mr. Garrotto. The topic it was really interesting i like the pastiches a lot.
I am Ame. I'm a convert. I'm always looking for interesting books to read. I have pretty eclectic tastes. Love Fulton Sheen. Am currently reading Kristen Lavransdatter on audio. Almost done with Book 1. Books I've read and enjoyed have been all of Paulette Jiles works, some of Taylor Caldwell's works, and others. Just read a book by Wes Ely, about ICU trauma, called every deep drawn breath. I am also reading this book by Amor Towles called the Lincoln Highway. It's a good yarn. Not a Catholic book, but he tells a good story. Thank you for the invitation to join. I will need to learn how the book discussions work, and because I am a slow reader.
Mod
Discussions are pretty straightforward. Each month, one of the moderators sets up a topic with discussion questions or prompts. You should feel to participate in the discussion. If you want to discuss something not covered by the moderator's questions, you can either add your own question, or raise it in the normal "Along the way."
John wrote: "Hi Ame, welcome to the Catholic Book Club. Discussions are pretty straightforward. Each month, one of the moderators sets up a topic with discussion questions or prompts. You should feel to parti..."
Thank you!
A wrote: "John wrote: "Hi Ame, welcome to the Catholic Book Club. Discussions are pretty straightforward. Each month, one of the moderators sets up a topic with discussion questions or prompts. You should ..."
Hello Arme welcome to Catholic Book Club and i expect that i had solved your doubts :-).
Hello I'm thomas. I'm a cradle Catholic and Catholic author. I have a bookcase full of books, but mostly I like classical fiction: Dickens, Verne, Twain, etc. My favorite Catholic read is St Faustina's diary - I think I've read that a half dozen times.I'm active in my parish and teach RCIA. I also spend some time on the Internet trying to correct various false teachings that tend to lead others away from the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
My friend Fonch led me to the group so I am thankful for the proddings. :)
May our good Lord bless you all.
Thomas wrote: "Hello I'm thomas. I'm a cradle Catholic and Catholic author. I have a bookcase full of books, but mostly I like classical fiction: Dickens, Verne, Twain, etc. My favorite Catholic read is St Fausti..."Hello Thomas welcome to the Catholic Book Club i expect that you find new readings and new readers for your books and i must reply your goodreads`s message.
Addilyn wrote: "Welcome, Thomas! My Confirmation saint is St. Faustina so it's always wonderful to meet more people who love her Diary😊"Thank you Addilyn! My Confirmation saint is King David. But St Faustyna is my absolute favorite. I do love others as well Padre Pio, St Bridget, St. Gertrude, St Anthony, St Paul, yikes too many too list! But I learned the most about Jesus through reading Faustyna. I have the print of Divine Mercy blessed by my Bishop hanging in my office. I've been to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in MA. I've met Father Chris Alar and Father Kaz. So, you might say I'm little obsessed with the Divine Mercy devotion. Jezu ufam Tobie!
I pray your calling to the consecrated life brings you great joy and love. I know you will bring that same love and joy to your flock. Though, followers of Divine Mercy take on much for the sake of His sorrowful Passion. God bless and keep you.
I keep coming back here, so I should introduce myself. I live in Baden-Württemberg, Germany with my husband and sons. I have to ask where everyone finds their books. I would like to check these books out from a library, but I cannot find one that has these Catholic books. I also cannot purchase them because I do not think my medieval apartment would take the weight. LOL. Is there a Catholic online library?
Mod
Hi Dänah, welcome to CBC. I am not aware of an online Catholic library, though if anyone is, Fonch will be.
Have you considered ebooks? most of what we read is available on Kindle, or in electronic formats that can be read on Kindle.
I strongly prefer paper books myself, but will buy ebooks when I'm going to be traveling, when I am in a hurry, or when the price difference is too great to ignore.
Firstly it is to express my eternal thanks to John Seymour for his kind Words. Yes i Will be here in case that somebody need something. I take the chance for saying welcome again to Thomas E. and Addilyn and thanks for being with us and i cheer up hugely for the presence of Danah Martin in Catholic Book Club and a part of Germany be with us. I have the same problem that John. I preffer the paperas but my friend Alfonseca the other comoderator he read a lot of books in Kindle. It is probable Danah that you have to employ it. I am from Spain and for instance some books i can not read it because they were not translated into spanish. One thing that i did is looking for the author in Google in case that some book have been translated. I explore the publishings. In Germany that you have to Martín Mosebach, Gabriele Kuby and Benedict XVI and they are more catholic writers i recomend to you to Louis de Wohl. I am going to request of friendship for being a goodreads friends in case that i can be useful.
Hello Dänah: I buy some of the books, mainly in electronic format. Others I check out from the library. Some of the non-fiction books are easier to find in a university library, rather than the public library.
Hi everyone, my name is Joseph, I have joined the group for a while but haven't been terribly active since I've been busy with my studies. I look forward to participate more in the future. Some facts about myself:
1. Life: I am from Henan, central China, but I have been studying at the University of Edinburgh since 2016. I accomplished my Masters degree in Theoretical Chemistry in 2021, and I am currently doing a second Masters degree in Philosophy of Science and Religion. I plan to apply for PhD in Philosophy at Oxford and Edinburgh once I finish the current degree so wish me luck!
2. Faith: I am a new convert. I was raised a Buddhist and practiced it as my religion, but I had hardly ever sincerely believed in it, and many doctrines simply don't make sense to me. I came across Christianity in real life purely by chance, as one of my flatmates in my first year of university was a Pentecostal Christian. As I showed some interests, he brought me to his church services, and gave me a Bible. Despite the very disturbing 'speaking in tongue' stuff, I encountered the Gospel for the first time. After I moved out, I never went back to that church again, but started studying theology purely by myself. Not a very smart way, I assure you, but I came to the conclusion that Christianity is true anyway. By that point I started going to a Baptist church, and became deeply involved in the community, which was a very vibrant group of conservative Christians whose love and fellowship I'll be ever grateful for. This is also where I had my internal conversion as I encountered the person of Christ and fell in love with Him. My story with Catholicism began like this: I met 2 Catholic friends at international student events, who introduced to me the difference between different Christian denominations. Initially I was very sceptical of the idea of 'One True Church', because it sounds like a very arrogant claim. But as I read more and more church history and patristics, it became increasingly clear to me that the Catholic Faith must be the only true church, or else Christianity is false. It took me a year or so to explore the faith and get catechised, but eventually I was baptised (St. Joseph) and confirmed (St. Anthony of Egypt) on 29th, May, 2021. I have been attending a FSSP parish (the extraordinary form) in Edinburgh since then, and also singing in the choir.
3. Interest: My main interest in Catholic literature is in philosophy and theology, including Patristics and Thomism, and my philosophy has been significantly influence by St. Thomas. Meanwhile, I would also love to read more spiritual writings by the saints, hopefully I will get some free time to do so during the Paschal season.
Welcome Joseph, thank you for sharing your story!I attended St. Catherine's in South Edinburgh years ago.
Join us in reading the April book if you have the time, it looks like it fits your interests.
What a fascinating life story, Joseph. Welcome to the diverse but one Roman Catholic Community.
Welcome Joseph as Mari Ángeles said thanks for your testimony
Joseph, thanks so much for sharing your story! It is encouraging to hear how God has worked in your life and brought you home! We also attend an FSSP parish. May the Lord continue to guide you in all of his ways! God bless!
Hello Joseph! My name is Br. Santiago VietoI read your story and have been moved by your procesive conversion to the Catholic Church.
Also by the idea of you coming from a buddhist media in China, because I have been studying along many years oriental culture, and always wanted to find the best way to approach to the oriental people to do apostolate with them.
I'm interested in been in contact with you, If you want.
I’m a monk of a new family of souls in the Holy Catholic Church, called Heralds of the Gospel, being part of our Carisma the missions, so we are working at this time in all the continents, but mainly in Latin America.
Hopping to know more about you, share useful information, books, etc.
I will pray for your studies, projects but mainly for the intention that this near Holy Week will be a very blessed time in your life.
God Bless you!
Hello! My name is Kira Marie McCullough, and I am a cradle-Protestant-turned Catholic in 2010. I enjoy reading fiction by Flannery O'Connor, Graham Greene, J.R.R. Tolkien, among others. I am also a Writer, with my debut book of short stories scheduled for release in August, 2022 via WordCrafts Press.
Welcome to Catholic Book Club Mss. McCullough i expect that you find New readings here.
The Adventurous Nun: Stories My Family Told Me: Biography of Sister Mildred Lungile MadlalaHi there, I am Marcia Mabaso, a new Roman Catholic author from South Africa. I love reading and writing. I am based in South Africa. Looking forward to get to know more people!
Hello Mss. Mandisi Mabaso welcome to The Catholic Book Club. Although he is not catholic i recomend to you to John Pretorius, besides he is from South Africa.
Fonch wrote: "Hello Mss. Mandisi Mabaso welcome to The Catholic Book Club. Although he is not catholic i recomend to you to John Pretorius, besides he is from South Africa."Thank you - how do I connect with him?
looking for in Goodreads. He is a writer if you look for his name. He Will appear.
Fonch wrote: "looking for in Goodreads. He is a writer if you look for his name. He Will appear."Got him, thank you!
Good morning all.I'm looking forward to being part of this group. I am a cradle Catholic raised in the felt-banner '70's who drifted into agnosticism at a Marianist college only to be rescued by the concerted efforts of my brother and wife. I currently reside in the Appalachian mountains with my wife and three of my four children.
Books have played a big part in my faith, not only the usual suspects like Confessions and City of God, and all of the Chesterton and Belloc works, Ratzinger/Benedict, George Weigel, etc., but, perhaps more importantly, works of Catholic fiction.
Flannery O'Conner, Walker Percy, Evelyn Waugh, Alessandro Manzoni, etc., these authors illustrate the perils of living in the world, and in their characters the living gospel is displayed. It is what I hope for in my own writing - to evangelize through fiction.
Although, to be honest, evangelizing aside, connecting with my characters as they, in turn, interact with God has been part of my ongoing spiritual development, and has brought me closer to a mature relationship with both the City of God and the City of Man.
Anyway, nice to meet y'all!
JT Dwyer
The Catholic Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Mystical Gospel of Thomas: Revelation of the Inner Christ (other topics)The Second Greatest Story Ever Told (other topics)
Prison Journal, Volume 1 The Cardinal Makes His Appeal (other topics)
Voyage to Alpha Centauri (other topics)
A Bellwether Christmas (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Georges Bernanos (other topics)Louis de Wohl (other topics)
E.A. Bucchianeri (other topics)
G.K. Chesterton (other topics)
Cathleen Medwick (other topics)
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I must have missed that.