The Norwegian-American Lutheran Experience in 1950s Japan: Stepping up to the Cold War Challenge

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Stepping Up to the Cold War Challenge: The Norwegian-American Lutheran Experience in 1950s Japan describes the events that led to the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC), an American Christian denomination, to respond to General MacArthurs call for missionaries. This Church did not initially respond, but did so in 1949 only after their missionaries had been expelled from China due to the victory of communist forces on the mainland. Because they feared Japan would also succumb to communism in less than ten years, the missionaries evaded ecumenical cooperation and social welfare projects to focus on evangelism and establishing congregations. Many of the ELC missionaries were children and grandchildren of Norwegian immigrants who had settled as farmers on the North American Great Plains. Based on interview transcripts and other primary sources, this book intimately describes the personal struggles of individuals responding to the call to be a missionary, adjusting to life in Japan, learning Japanese, raising a family, and engaging in mission work. As the Cold War threat diminished and independence movements elsewhere were ending colonialism, missionaries were compelled to change methods and attitudes. The 1950s was a time when missionaries went out much in the same manner that they did in the nineteenth century. Through the voices of the missionaries and their Japanese coworkers, the book documents how many of the traditional missionary assumptions begin to be questioned.

Reviews

For missiologists, missionaries, church historians, seminarians, pastors, and lay people who want to learn more about the calling of being a missionary, the life and livelihood of a missionary and his wife and family, the specific history of Norwegian-Americans and the missionaries that the Evangelical Lutheran Church sent to Japan in the early 1950s, this book is a must read. * Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly *
The Norwegian-American Lutheran Experience in 1950s Japan: Stepping up to the Cold War Challenge presents a long view of Christian mission, the history of Norwegian Lutheranism in the United States, and the personal story of men and women who answered calls to carry the Christian gospel to Japan. Linguists Kate Allen and John E. Ingulsrud place the missionaries experience in its political and religious context, suggesting the interaction of spiritual, national, and personal forces. Drawing upon first person accounts, their examination of missionaries early encounters with Japanese people, language, and culture offers valuable insight into the challenges of cross-cultural exchange. -- L. DeAne Lagerquist, St. Olaf College

Author Bio

Kate Allen is professor of linguistics at Meiji University. John E. Ingulsrud is professor of linguistics at Meisei University.