Love of God and Man in the Context of Japan - A Conversation with Stephen Bachmeier

When one believes that the church of Jesus Christ is global and multiethnic in nature, the one is eventually moved to try to understand and love cultures around the world. An immature faith imagines one's own culture and nation to be the center of God's story. A mature Christian comes to understand our equal standing among the cultures of the earth. We are all fallen and in need of a Savior.

Stephen Bachmeier answered the call to invite a people group other than his own into a salvific relationship with Jesus. He is currently deployed in Shunan, Japan. In this conversation, we talk about the particular gifts and challenges of his mission field. What unfolds is largely an exercise in Christian discernment. How does the gospel speak to this particular culture. How is it similar to American culture? How is it different?

By learning about others, we learn about ourselves. Christ died for all of us. All of us are called to respond in faith. Stephen has only been in Japan for five months. He wanted me to make sure to say here that Japan has been in flux, and it is continuing to slowly change. Be charitable in your interpretation of Japan, as well as the words of these imperfect conversation partners.

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