What do you think?
Rate this book
Ideology and Christian Freedom: A theo-political reading of Shusaku Endo's Silence
Ideology & Christian Freedom takes the novel Silence by the Japanese-Catholic writer Endo Shusaku as a jumping off point to argue for an inherent incompatibility between the Christian message of freedom and nationalistic projects. Through historical, philosophical, and theological explorations, the book attempts to build a renewed theory and practice of liberation for our time, especially in light of the message of freedom of God-in-Christ.
The book critiques supposed liberation both Right and Left, including looking at the ideology and cynical subjectivity which underlies increasingly popular practices such as Stoicism and Buddhism. We also dive into the history of Japanese Buddhism and its complicity with the state, especially under the emerging Tokugawa Shogunate. Ultimately, the goal is to ask what sort of ideology and social violence is needed to achieve the imaginary "nation," and what the message and practice of the Spirit community has to say about such an endeavor.
The book critiques supposed liberation both Right and Left, including looking at the ideology and cynical subjectivity which underlies increasingly popular practices such as Stoicism and Buddhism. We also dive into the history of Japanese Buddhism and its complicity with the state, especially under the emerging Tokugawa Shogunate. Ultimately, the goal is to ask what sort of ideology and social violence is needed to achieve the imaginary "nation," and what the message and practice of the Spirit community has to say about such an endeavor.
282 pages, Paperback
Published February 6, 2024
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 3, 2024
*I know the author, who sent me a free copy. I was not paid for this review.*
Endo's Silence is an incredible book that deserves an in-depth look at the characters, the history, the theology, and the narrative. This book is Matthew Stanley's attempt to understand a novel from the inside out. Actually, it's more than that, because Stanley delves into what it means to be a human being, and what it means to exist, from the bottom up. To accomplish this, Stanley pulls from his wealth of experience studying Japanese history, Buddhism, psychology, philosophy, and theology. He discusses Nietzsche, Freud, Lacan, and Zizek alongside the historical Japanese author Habian, and of course, Endo. This book is not a summary or simplification of Endo's book, but rather a recounting of the narrative within its historical context, followed by a deepening of its themes and major points.
1. Stanley starts by introducing himself and the major themes of the work. He lays out his task of investigating the structural and historical dimensions of Endo's work, as opposed to the easier, habitual ethical-existential reading that is present in Scorsese's retelling.
2. Chapters 1 and 2 set up the historical circumstances of Japanese culture and history, by asking why Japan began removing Christians in the first place, and how the four European powers played a part in those events of the 16th-17th Centuries. The geographical location of Kyushu is highlighted, and the cultural perspective of the Japanese is explained in detail. These chapters illustrate the backdrop within which the novel takes place, including the Japanese-Christian Shimabara Rebellion stamped out by Japanese rulers.
3. Chapter 3 explores Buddhism and its role in Japanese society at the time, through a dialogue by Habian, the Myotei Mondo, challenging Japanese Pure Land Buddhism from a Christian viewpoint. Buddhism is explored theologically, ethically, and politically in Japan.
4. Chapter 4 is, in my view, the highlight of the book. It explores Fr. Rodriguez's conversations with Inoue, and explicates exactly how Inoue manipulates Rodriguez into apostasy. It explores Rodriguez's interior world, including his views of his role as priest, and his ideas of martyrdom.
5. Chapters 5 and 6 proposes a Theology of Liberation founded in the New Testament, to challenge Rodriguez on his apostasy and to challenge western readings of the Bible which do not take Jesus seriously. It begs the reader to reconsider whether a watered-down gospel is any Gospel at all.
6. Chapter 7 is a conclusion and application to contemporary events. Stanley discusses divisions in the world, contemporary America, and the Church, in order to seek reconciliation and unity under Christ's headship.
This book was a labor of love. Stanley pours all of his heart and mind into this task of breaking down and understanding Silence. He does not shy away from challenging accepted narratives about Jesus, especially when it comes to Liberation Theology and Christian Nationalism. This book is a challenge to any reader, especially ones who hold strong views on Jesus, Buddha, Japan, or why Fr. Rodriguez apostatized in the novel. Stanley's own views are present throughout the book, and the book is a personal exploration of what these stories and ideas means for him, and what it might also mean for you.
Matthew Stanley also has a Substack, Samsara Diagnostics, where he discusses philosophy, theology, and being human.
Endo's Silence is an incredible book that deserves an in-depth look at the characters, the history, the theology, and the narrative. This book is Matthew Stanley's attempt to understand a novel from the inside out. Actually, it's more than that, because Stanley delves into what it means to be a human being, and what it means to exist, from the bottom up. To accomplish this, Stanley pulls from his wealth of experience studying Japanese history, Buddhism, psychology, philosophy, and theology. He discusses Nietzsche, Freud, Lacan, and Zizek alongside the historical Japanese author Habian, and of course, Endo. This book is not a summary or simplification of Endo's book, but rather a recounting of the narrative within its historical context, followed by a deepening of its themes and major points.
1. Stanley starts by introducing himself and the major themes of the work. He lays out his task of investigating the structural and historical dimensions of Endo's work, as opposed to the easier, habitual ethical-existential reading that is present in Scorsese's retelling.
2. Chapters 1 and 2 set up the historical circumstances of Japanese culture and history, by asking why Japan began removing Christians in the first place, and how the four European powers played a part in those events of the 16th-17th Centuries. The geographical location of Kyushu is highlighted, and the cultural perspective of the Japanese is explained in detail. These chapters illustrate the backdrop within which the novel takes place, including the Japanese-Christian Shimabara Rebellion stamped out by Japanese rulers.
3. Chapter 3 explores Buddhism and its role in Japanese society at the time, through a dialogue by Habian, the Myotei Mondo, challenging Japanese Pure Land Buddhism from a Christian viewpoint. Buddhism is explored theologically, ethically, and politically in Japan.
4. Chapter 4 is, in my view, the highlight of the book. It explores Fr. Rodriguez's conversations with Inoue, and explicates exactly how Inoue manipulates Rodriguez into apostasy. It explores Rodriguez's interior world, including his views of his role as priest, and his ideas of martyrdom.
5. Chapters 5 and 6 proposes a Theology of Liberation founded in the New Testament, to challenge Rodriguez on his apostasy and to challenge western readings of the Bible which do not take Jesus seriously. It begs the reader to reconsider whether a watered-down gospel is any Gospel at all.
6. Chapter 7 is a conclusion and application to contemporary events. Stanley discusses divisions in the world, contemporary America, and the Church, in order to seek reconciliation and unity under Christ's headship.
This book was a labor of love. Stanley pours all of his heart and mind into this task of breaking down and understanding Silence. He does not shy away from challenging accepted narratives about Jesus, especially when it comes to Liberation Theology and Christian Nationalism. This book is a challenge to any reader, especially ones who hold strong views on Jesus, Buddha, Japan, or why Fr. Rodriguez apostatized in the novel. Stanley's own views are present throughout the book, and the book is a personal exploration of what these stories and ideas means for him, and what it might also mean for you.
Matthew Stanley also has a Substack, Samsara Diagnostics, where he discusses philosophy, theology, and being human.
Displaying 1 of 1 review