Christianity Today interviews Yoichi Yamaguchi, director of the International Mission Center at Tokyo Christian University, on the beginnings of a Christian movement that sought to meld Shinto with Japanese nationalism and the struggles present-day Japanese evangelicals face when it comes to Shinto practices. How did Japanese Christians and churches historically engage with Shinto? When the Read more…
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Christianity Today interviews Yoichi Yamaguchi, director of the International Mission Center at Tokyo Christian University, about Shinto’s long-lasting significance in Japan and how early believers responded to the imposition of emperor worship. Can Shinto be considered Japan’s national religion? While the Japanese imperial household conducts official Shinto rituals using the state budget today, Shinto was Read more…
The post Shinto’s Historical and Contemporary Influences on Japanese Society appeared first on Christianity Today.
When it comes to church, today’s young people aren’t looking for a show—they’re looking for a home. For Gen Z, cold and institutional is out; real and relational is in. That’s good news for smaller churches. Since 2000, national median worship attendance has dropped from 137 people to 65 by 2023, and 70 percent of Read more…
The post Three Surprising Advantages Small Churches Have with Gen Z appeared first on Christianity Today.
On Friday, the Brazilian supreme court sentenced former president Jair Bolsonaro to more than 27 years in prison for plotting an attempted coup after losing the 2022 election. The landmark ruling marks the first time the country has tried and convicted a person for trying to overthrow an elected government. For days ahead of the Read more…
The post Brazilian Evangelicals Call for Reconciliation After Bolsonaro Convicted of Coup Plot appeared first on Christianity Today.
I was waiting for my lunch appointment to arrive when I saw the video on X. In my gut, I knew Charlie Kirk was going to die. The brutality—and grim clarity—of the clip made my heart drop. My first thought: His wife. His Kids. My second thought: My congregation. What do they need? How many Read more…
The post How Should Pastors Respond to Charlie Kirk’s Assassination? appeared first on Christianity Today.
French Catholic sociologist René Girard argued that ever since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, violence has been robbed of its sacred legitimacy and ancient power—but you wouldn’t know that by scanning some corners of the internet today. Over the past few days, a slew of violent events has erupted in our nation, including Read more…
The post Charlie Kirk Is Not a Scapegoat appeared first on Christianity Today.
Do you remember the excitement and sense of purpose when you first felt called by God to vocational ministry? Like the disciples on the mountain with Jesus just before he gave them their commission, you may have wrestled with some nervous jitters or doubts. But beneath those anxious thoughts there was a genuine excitement—a holy Read more…
The post Kingdom Friendship in a Divided World appeared first on Christianity Today.
Hundreds of students filled the lawn of evangelical Grand Canyon University near downtown Phoenix Wednesday evening, grieving the murder of Charlie Kirk. One by one, they spoke into a mic, many praying for Kirk’s wife and two children and sharing stories about his impact. Less than a year ago, many of these same students were Read more…
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