2021/08/26

A world map of major civilizations according to Clash of Civilizations by Samuel P. Huntington (Wikipedia)

1. Civilizations

According to the American political scientist Samuel P. Huntington, Japanese civilization is classified as a unique independent civilization in the major civilizations of the 20th century. The history of Japan, where I was born and grew up, has never experienced the influence of Greek culture or Barbarian invasions or Islamic culture. On the other hand, the history of Christianity is Western history itself, which has developed mixing with these happenings. Therefore, the hermeneutics of the Bible has been strongly influenced by them. However, the process of the establishment of the Bible is independent of Western history itself. So, when I, a Japanese, even studying Western history, read the Bible and try to understand its teachings, I cannot share all the understandings Western history has been nurturing and embracing until now. But at the same time, I may encounter unexpected discoveries. In this situation, it is recent that I knew that the Book of Revelation expresses the worldview of Jesus Christ. When I realized this fact, I immediately decided to follow the recommendation: "Blessed is he who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written therein; for the time is near" (Revelation 1:3). It was because I wanted to become the blessed one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, hears the voice, and keeps "what is written therein" in her memory.

Maria K. M.