GLST 220
Page 1 of 5
GOSPEL COMMUNICATION PROJECT: GRAND NARRATIVE OUTLINE
Student
Name
Julie Brookshire Course Section Number GLST 220-B35
Module 5 Week 5
Country Japan Cultural Cluster (Anglo, Nordic Europe,
Germanic Europe, Latin Europe, Latin
America, Confucian Asia, Southern Asia,
Sub-Saharan Africa, Arab)
Confucian Asia
Story
Element
Description Scripture Reference Cultural Connection
Act 1: God Establishes His Kingdom
(Discuss creation.)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Everything in the world was made with purpose, from
the skies to the land and from the seas to the creatures
that roam the earth. God's creation was not random but
orderly and intentional, demonstrating His wisdom. In
the Christian faith, this creation story shows us that God
is the Creator of all things, giving purpose and meaning
to life. He made human beings in His image to live in
harmony with His creation. The world was perfect
initially—free from sin and full of beauty, peace, and
order. In Japan, the concept of balance and harmony is
fundamental, and creation, as presented in the Bible, can
be seen as an illustration of how everything was meant to
be balanced and interconnected. Much like Japan values
the balance of nature and human life, God's creation
perfectly balances the physical and spiritual realms,
showing that everything has a purpose and a place.
Genesis 1:1 - In the
beginning, God
created the heavens
and the earth.
Genesis 1:26-27 -
Then God said, 'Let
us make mankind in
our image, in our
likeness...
Genesis 2:1-3 -
Thus the heavens
and the earth were
completed in all
their vast array.
Japan has a deep respect for nature and the idea
of interconnectedness. This can be seen in the
Japanese practice of Shinto, which involves a
reverence for the natural world and the belief that
gods (kami) reside in elements of nature, such as
trees, mountains, and rivers (Kozyra, 2019). God
created everything with purpose, which aligns
with the Japanese understanding of the sacredness
of nature. The concept of way, which means
harmony, is also essential in Japanese culture.
You could emphasize that God's creation was a
perfect harmony of heaven and earth, a balance
humanity created to live within. Sacred
mountains or the seasonal changes in Japan draw
connections between the Bible's account of
creation and Japan's deep cultural respect for
nature.
Act 2: Rebellion in the Kingdom
(Discuss sin and the fall.)
https://www.coursehero.com/file/245823583/Final-Gospel-Communication-Project-Grand-Narrative-Outline-1docx/
GLST 220
Page 2 of 5
God created humanity in His image and gave them the
freedom to live in His perfect creation. However,
humanity chose to rebel against God’s command and
disobeyed His instructions, which led to sin entering the
world. This rebellion, symbolized by Adam and Eve’s
eating of the forbidden fruit, broke the harmony that God
originally intended. Sin affected not only humanity but
also the entire creation, bringing death, suffering, and
separation from God. The fall of humanity marks the
point where the world lost its perfection, and a broken
relationship with God began, with consequences that
have affected all of human history. In Japanese culture,
this concept of disobedience and its resulting
consequences can be seen in how disharmony or
imbalance in life brings about suffering, and the need for
restoration and reconciliation becomes a central theme.
Genesis 3:1-6 - The
fall of Adam and
Eve.
Genesis 3:16-19 -
The consequences
of the fall.
Romans 5:12 -
Therefore, just as
sin entered the
world through one
man, and death
through sin, and in
this way death
came to all people
because all sinned.
In Japanese culture, disharmony (wa) is highly
valued, and the fall of humanity can be seen as a
disruption of this harmony, leading to suffering
and separation from God, much like how
imbalance affects relationships with others and
nature. The respect for authority in Japan also
parallels the disobedience of Adam and Eve,
emphasizing that breaking God's commands, like
ignoring societal structures, brings negative
consequences. Finally, restoration in Japanese
culture, such as through sincere apology and
reconciliation, reflects the biblical need for
repentance and restoring a broken relationship
with God after sin entered the world.
Act 3: The King Chooses Israel
(Trace the story of Israel through the Old Testament, highlighting several key people along the way.)
God chose Israel to be His people and establish His
kingdom on earth. Throughout their history, He raised
leaders such as Abraham, Moses, and David to guide
them. Despite their failures, God remained faithful to His
covenant with Israel, showing His love and commitment
to them. The story of Israel reveals God's desire to bless
the world through His chosen people and their
relationship with Him. Israel's journey illustrates the
struggles and victories of walking with God.
Genesis 12:1-3
(Abraham's call)
Exodus 3:10-12
(Moses' mission)
2 Samuel 7:12-16
(David’s covenant)
The culture of Japan is much like how God chose
Israel as a nation through the covenant with
Abraham, in that the aspect of honor and family
lineage is a vast part of their culture. In this
respect, the leadership of Japan often parallels
that of figures such as Moses and David in that
leadership is usually sourced out of wisdom and
moral integrity, similar to how God raised these
leaders to lead Israel. The loyalty and
commitment between Japanese leaders and
followers remind one of the faithfulness of God
to Israel, even after all their failures, which draws
out the concern for a strong faith relationship in a
challenge.
Act 4: The Coming of the King
https://www.coursehero.com/file/245823583/Final-Gospel-Communication-Project-Grand-Narrative-Outline-1docx/
GLST 220
Page 3 of 5
(Discuss the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus)
Jesus, the King, was born into humble circumstances, a
sign of His approachability and identification with the
brokenness of humanity. He went on to do miracles,
restore the sick, and teach about God's kingdom, showing
that He loved and had compassion for people. His death
on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice, taking upon
Himself the world's sins to restore the relationship
between God and humanity. Three days later, He would
rise from the dead, overcome sin and death, and give
eternal life to all who would believe. The resurrection is
a sure sign that God's kingdom has overcome all evil and
brokenness, and it causes hope for all people.
Luke 2:6-7 (Jesus'
birth)
Matthew 4:23-24
(Jesus’ ministry)
John 19:30 (Jesus’
death)
Luke 24:6-7 (Jesus'
resurrection)
Humbleness and selflessness are virtues in Japan;
the birth of Jesus in a humble manner fits into
that cultural appreciation. Jesus' compassionate
actions, healing the sick and caring for the
marginalized, would resonate with Japan's
cultural values of empathy and concern for others
(Luo, 2024). Moreover, the concept of sacrifice in
Japanese culture, mainly seen in giving up one's
life for the community, parallels Jesus' ultimate
sacrifice for humanity's redemption. Finally, the
idea of resurrection can resonate with Japan's
reverence for the cycle of life and death, finding
hope in restoration and renewal after suffering,
similar to how Jesus' resurrection brings new life
to believers.
Act 5: Spreading the News of the King
(Discuss the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the mission of believers today.)
After Jesus' resurrection, He sent the Holy Spirit to
empower His followers to continue His mission on Earth.
The Holy Spirit equips believers with wisdom, strength,
and guidance to live out the message of the kingdom of
God. As the body of Christ, the Church is called to share
the good news with the world, spreading hope, love, and
justice. Believers are commissioned to live lives that
reflect Christ's love, showing compassion and care for
those in need. The mission of believers today is to
continue this work, building communities that mirror the
kingdom of God on Earth, calling people to repentance,
reconciliation, and a new life in Christ.
Acts 2:4 (The Holy
Spirit empowers
believers)
Matthew 28:19-20
(The Great
Commission)
Acts 1:8 (Believers'
mission)
1 Corinthians 12:27
(The Church as the
body of Christ)
In Japan, the concept of community is highly
valued, and the Church, as a community of
believers, fits well with the cultural importance of
living in harmony with others. The Japanese
practice of working together for the greater good
aligns with the mission of the Church to spread
the message of love, justice, and mercy to the
world. Furthermore, spiritual practices like
meditation and mindfulness in Japan, which often
focus on inner peace and clarity, can relate to the
role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers toward
a life that reflects the kingdom of God. The
Church’s mission to care for the poor and
marginalized can connect with the Japanese
cultural emphasis on collective responsibility and
https://www.coursehero.com/file/245823583/Final-Gospel-Communication-Project-Grand-Narrative-Outline-1docx/
GLST 220
Page 4 of 5
the importance of social welfare.
Act 6: The Return of the King
(Discuss Christ’s return and our restoration)
The return of Christ is the climactic event in God's
redemptive plan for humanity, where Christ will return in
glory to restore all things. His second coming will end
evil, suffering, and death and establish a new heaven and
earth without pain, sorrow, or tears. At this time, Christ
will judge the living and the dead to bring justice and
peace. This event is a great hope for the believer, as it
constitutes the fulfillment of God's promises of
redemption and ushers in the complete restoration of our
relationship with God. It points to the ultimate victory of
God over sin, as all creation is reconciled and united in
the eternal Kingdom.
Matthew 24:30-31:
Describes Christ’s
visible return and
the gathering of His
elect by angels.
Acts 1:11: The
angels announce
that Jesus will
return in the same
way He ascended.
Revelation 21:1-4:
Depicts the creation
of a new heaven
and earth where
God will dwell with
His people.
1 Thessalonians
4:16-17: Explains
that the dead in
Christ will rise first,
and believers will
meet the Lord in
the air.
Revelation 22:12-
13: Jesus declares
His return is
imminent and He is
the Alpha and the
Omega.
In Japanese culture, there is a deep hope for
renewal and restoration, as evidenced by their
respect for the seasons of nature, where life
regenerates anew. This cultural value is in line
with the Christian belief in the restoration of all
things when Christ returns, bringing an end to
suffering and bringing peace. The concept of
perfect harmony, way, in Japanese society can
also be related to the Christian hope of ultimate
peace and restoration when Christ's reign is fully
realized, where all things are made right, and the
relationship between humanity, creation, and God
is healed.
https://www.coursehero.com/file/245823583/Final-Gospel-Communication-Project-Grand-Narrative-Outline-1docx/
GLST 220
Page 5 of 5
References
The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Zondervan. https://biblia.com/books/niv2011/offset/1176926
Kozyra, A. (2019). Are Japanese people religious? The problem of ‘syncretic religiosity’in Japanese culture.JAnalecta
Nipponica,J9(2019), 41-57.
https://wydawnictwo-japonica.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Book_Analecta_9_2019.indb_.pdf#page=41
Luo, L. (2024). Analysis of Japanese Cultural Patterns—Based on Hofstede’s Value Dimensions and Minkov’s Cultural
Dimensions.JInternational Journal of Education and Humanities,J14(1), 367-374.
https://drpress.org/ojs/index.php/ijeh/article/download/21302/20849
https://www.coursehero.com/file/245823583/Final-Gospel-Communication-Project-Grand-Narrative-Outline-1docx/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
