Publisher's Synopsis
Though this book's main challenge is to define the theology of social justice with the eschatological perspective of Christians in Okinawa during the U.S. administration of Okinawa (1945-1972), this book also introduces the mission work of God done by Christians in Okinawa in an extreme situation, in a period when the people who were socially vulnerable had been placed at the periphery of society. In this fine study, Dr. Mikio reveals a little-known story of collaboration between a few missionaries and Japanese Christians to address human rights abuses perpetuated in Okinawa by the United States during the Cold War. Although results were limited, and heroes were few, this case study illustrates why cross-cultural partnership and prophetic witness remain essential to missional faithfulness. I highly recommend this book as a subject for thoughtful reflection. Dana L. Robert, Truman Collins Professor of World Christianity and History of Mission, Boston University School of Theology Written with the fervent desire to address conscientious readers in America and Europe, this monograph is a powerful testimony of resilient Okinawans struggling to restore human dignity despite the often brutal realities of living under the shadows of Imperial Japan and American military forces. Readers will find in this book a creative tension between eschatology and ethics, an exemplary combination of Christian theology of peace and enduring concerns for social justice. Dr Anri Morimoto, Vice President for Academic Affairs, International Christian University Using the issues of land confiscation, sexual assault, and the marginalization of those afflicted with Hansen's disease as case studies, Miyagi demonstrates how their eschatological hope variously informed and sustained the ethical actions of their faith in hopeless situations. The Okinawan churches' struggles to meet these challenges, with all of their successes and failures, provides a provocative case study for the Church around the world as she continues to live out faithfully the tension between eschatology and ethics. Dr Scott Hafemann, Reader in New Testament, University of St Andrews This is a unique book by a Japanese theologian hailing from Okinawa, a southern prefecture of Japan. Here the reader can see how the biblical principles of justice and love or neighbourly concern can be, should be, and are being, applied to the harsh realities of Okinawa. Dr Takamitsu Muraoka, Professor Emeritus, Leiden University, Netherland Mikio Miyagi was born at Beppu-Ken Japan in 1947. He is a research fellow at Institute for the Study of Christianity and Culture of the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo. He obtained Ph.D from the ICU in 2014 after receiving a degree of Master of Theological Studies from Boston University School of Theology in 2010. He has a B.A. degree in economics from University of the Ryukyus in 1971. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Japa Presbytery Koza Church.
