Silence: Divide and Be Conquered
I have a serious, serious problem with Silence.
That problem is figuring out how to condense all my thoughts and observations about this book into one reasonably-lengthed blog post. I could write so much about things I can’t even mention for the sake of not spoiling the end of the book (though I can’t imagine many people will be able to keep themselves from finishing it over break). Yet with all the messages that stretched across the entire book, one of the more contained sections struck a particular chord with me.
When Rodrigues spoke with Inoue in chapter seven, Inoue gave him a pretty good reason for outlawing Christianity: denominational strife. Catholics and Protestants both staking spiritual claims in Japan, waging propaganda wars and rivalries with each other, and dragging the Japanese people into it all surely wouldn't improve the country. I've experienced this denominational fighting enough to know that it doesn't bring men to God. I was a devout Catholic for seventeen years, raised in a household of a Catholic father and a Baptist mother. As I got older, my personal study of the Bible led me to believe that Protestants had a more biblical doctrine, so I converted just after I turned seventeen. My relationship with God has been stronger since then--and you want to know what I CAN'T attribute that to?
I can't attribute that to my Catholic grandmother's ravings against Protestants. I can't attribute that to the Baptists I've heard slamming "cultish Mary worshippers." My grandmother couldn't keep me from converting, and the harshly anti-Catholic Baptists I've met have made me glad that Paul wrote a chunk of 1 Corinthians 1 warning us about the dangers of divisions in the church; denominations were not Christ's plan, and I don't have to subscribe to everything a preacher says just because he's a Protestant. Now, obviously I do believe that some denominations hold to more Biblical truth than others, or else I'd never have gone from celebrating the Eucharist to deciding that my infant baptism wasn't the real deal. But it wasn't fallible denominations themselves that made this shift in my heart and mind. It was the Bible. The catechism didn't save me, and the feel-good Hillsong worship didn't save me. Denominations just can't stand in for Christ. From the way Endo writes, I would have to say that this denominational clashing was the nail in the coffin for the credibility of the Christian efforts in Japan. Inoue's parable about the concubines "whispering jealous words of slander" was too real for me.
P.S. I commented on Sophia and Natalie’s posts.
That problem is figuring out how to condense all my thoughts and observations about this book into one reasonably-lengthed blog post. I could write so much about things I can’t even mention for the sake of not spoiling the end of the book (though I can’t imagine many people will be able to keep themselves from finishing it over break). Yet with all the messages that stretched across the entire book, one of the more contained sections struck a particular chord with me.
When Rodrigues spoke with Inoue in chapter seven, Inoue gave him a pretty good reason for outlawing Christianity: denominational strife. Catholics and Protestants both staking spiritual claims in Japan, waging propaganda wars and rivalries with each other, and dragging the Japanese people into it all surely wouldn't improve the country. I've experienced this denominational fighting enough to know that it doesn't bring men to God. I was a devout Catholic for seventeen years, raised in a household of a Catholic father and a Baptist mother. As I got older, my personal study of the Bible led me to believe that Protestants had a more biblical doctrine, so I converted just after I turned seventeen. My relationship with God has been stronger since then--and you want to know what I CAN'T attribute that to?
I can't attribute that to my Catholic grandmother's ravings against Protestants. I can't attribute that to the Baptists I've heard slamming "cultish Mary worshippers." My grandmother couldn't keep me from converting, and the harshly anti-Catholic Baptists I've met have made me glad that Paul wrote a chunk of 1 Corinthians 1 warning us about the dangers of divisions in the church; denominations were not Christ's plan, and I don't have to subscribe to everything a preacher says just because he's a Protestant. Now, obviously I do believe that some denominations hold to more Biblical truth than others, or else I'd never have gone from celebrating the Eucharist to deciding that my infant baptism wasn't the real deal. But it wasn't fallible denominations themselves that made this shift in my heart and mind. It was the Bible. The catechism didn't save me, and the feel-good Hillsong worship didn't save me. Denominations just can't stand in for Christ. From the way Endo writes, I would have to say that this denominational clashing was the nail in the coffin for the credibility of the Christian efforts in Japan. Inoue's parable about the concubines "whispering jealous words of slander" was too real for me.
P.S. I commented on Sophia and Natalie’s posts.
Well said! I found it interesting that the denominational conflict was Inoue's biggest problem with Christianity. This is a good reminder that actions are just as important as words when it comes to evangelism. It does no good to talk the talk if you don't walk the walk. I wonder if the churches helped each other instead of bashing each other would have changed Inoue's mind about Christianity.
ReplyDeleteImagine there's some applause playing here, yeah? I got the same kind of vibe when I got to that part with Inoue. In the end, it's still Christianity, just with small differences and practices. I, as a Baptist, can't say I agree with how Catholics do some things, but they can say the same to me. I'm not going to condemn them for it.
ReplyDelete"Wow, I can't believe you're a (insert Christian denomination here). Don't you guys (insert stereotypical accusation of aforementioned denomination)?"
ReplyDeleteThis always bugged me because, like you, my dad is Catholic and my mother is a Baptist. Now, my father does not attend mass, but he'll come to services at my church whenever I invite him, it's a special holiday, or there is food (insert stereotypical "Baptists eat a lot" comment). Regardless, I figure my dad has no issue going because the doctrinal truths are consistent. I don't know too much into what his personal stances are, but I assume he wouldn't come to the services if he didn't agree with them. Of course, there will be divides among denominations based on doctrine and focus of worship and I think that's why we see so many "non-denominational" churches have sprouted. I believe it's good for the faith because I believe when an outsider looks in and wonders why there are so many different "sects" in one religion, it may seem like no two denominations are on the same wavelength...and let's not get started on the Mormons please.