Kiyoko Takeda states that at the deepest levels of Japanese culture there is a factor of eternal transcendence, of an orientation toward a universal value involved.7<\/a><\/span>\u00a0This is added together with other factors such as irrational shamanism and exclusivist collectivism. She asserts that this concept characterizes, throughout Japan\u2019s entire history, the thoughts and actions of the Japanese people. This roots itself in the view of humanity presented by the biblical writer who states that God has set eternity in humans\u2019 hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The Japanese, at the depths of the heart of their group consciousness, have a desire to surrender themselves to an eternal existence. We can use the words \u201cnature\u201d or \u201cway\u201d to point out the way to the Christ, who is the precious origin of life in the universe. These words will communicate contextually because they are referred to in well-known Japanese sayings, such as, \u201cDisregard the discretion of an ascetic and faithfully follow nature.\u201d8<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or \u201cLeave your own motives and become one with the way.\u201d9<\/a><\/span>\u00a0If we can clearly communicate, through our words and actions, that the eternal God will take Japanese receptors just as they are, unconditionally (Deuteronomy 1:31), the possibility remains that many would disregard the discretion of an ascetic, leave their own motives, and surrender everything to Christ.<\/p>\n When the youth of Japan who have fled to and are now confined to their barricaded private capsules; when corporate warriors who are workaholics and have a fear of going home accept the message of unconditional acceptance by the Lord of heaven and earth, their isolation will be healed and they will overcome their identity crises. They will discover the refreshment of living as they surrender their lifestyles to Christ.<\/p>\n Sermons that are contextualized for Japan should make the \u201cgood fortune\u201d image their point of contact, have the grace of \u201cacceptance as you are\u201d as their underlying theme, and, in addition, should testify to the joy of transferring oneself over to that grace. Sermons should be delivered not in the western theological order of God, sin, and salvation, but in the order of \u201cgood fortune,\u201d grace, and surrendering oneself. Then, on that foundation, while avoiding any syncretism, sermons that appeal to a transcending, personal God who gives to us \u201cgood things,\u201d that depict ingratitude toward this as sin, and that speak of the joy of salvation as a result of surrendering yourself over to this God, would be an effective means of reaching the Japanese people with the gospel of Christ.<\/p>\n5. Conclusion<\/h4>\n