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Three Mile an Hour God: Biblical Reflections
'Koyama's relaxed confidence, extending from the chapter titles to the homely to-ing and fro-ing between the author's own world and the deepest themes of theology make this is truly stimulating book ... One of the rare books of theology one can unreservedly recommend with full sincerity.' What The Tablet said about Waterbuffalo Theology is even more true of Three Mile an Hour God - which is perhaps a still better book. Its setting is the world of South-East Asia - and beyond. Its content reflects the wide experience of the author, who must be one of the most-travelled of all modern theologians. But what gives the book its special, compelling quality is the stillness, depth and humanity which can be found on even the most crowded page.'Love has its speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice or not, at three miles an hour. It is the speed we walk and therefore the speed the love of God walks.'
146 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
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2088 people want to read
About the author
Kosuke Koyama
13 books29 followersKoyama was born in Tokyo in 1929, of Christian parents. He later moved to New Jersey in the United States, where he completed his B.D. at Drew Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. at Princeton Theological Seminary, the latter on the interpretation of the Psalms of Martin Luther in 1959.[2]
After teaching at a theological seminary in Thailand, he was the executive director of Association of Theological Schools in Southeast Asia with his office in Singapore from 1968 to 1974, and the editor of Southeast Asia Journal of Theology, and the Dean of Southeast Asia Graduate School of Theology. After that he worked as Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin in New Zealand, from 1974 to 1979. He later worked at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where he stayed until his retirement in 1996 as John D. Rockefeller Jr. Professor Emeritus of World Christianity. To his close friends and family, he was known as "Ko". Along with Kazoh Kitamori, he is considered one of the leading Japanese theologians of the twentieth century.
Koyama died at a hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts, of pneumonia complicated by oesophagal cancer, on March 25, 2009.
After teaching at a theological seminary in Thailand, he was the executive director of Association of Theological Schools in Southeast Asia with his office in Singapore from 1968 to 1974, and the editor of Southeast Asia Journal of Theology, and the Dean of Southeast Asia Graduate School of Theology. After that he worked as Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin in New Zealand, from 1974 to 1979. He later worked at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where he stayed until his retirement in 1996 as John D. Rockefeller Jr. Professor Emeritus of World Christianity. To his close friends and family, he was known as "Ko". Along with Kazoh Kitamori, he is considered one of the leading Japanese theologians of the twentieth century.
Koyama died at a hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts, of pneumonia complicated by oesophagal cancer, on March 25, 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 16, 2024
I feel duped. The first 6 pages cover the idea of three mile an hour God. The remaining 184 pages are other essays blending religion and 20th century Asian politics. Even the description on the book is all about love having a slow speed. I wanted 200 pages of that. Marketing sucks, says this marketing major.
November 14, 2020
Overall, I found this book to be fantastic. Each chapter is distinct from the last and can be read in isolation, although you begin to develop a sense for the kind of person Koyama is through all of them, which in turn affects the way you read each one. He has a great love of nature, of people, and of God, and this bleeds profusely through his theological musings. I found his critiques of modern Japan's dangerous creep back towards pre-1945 Japan sobering and prophetic, and it is fitting that they should come from the lips (or hand) of a Christian Japanese who both deeply loves his people and deeply abhors the state they were brought to by war, a victim himself of the Tokyo firebombs.
At first I was concerned over his engagement with Buddhist theology and the sheer volume of it which he shares in a book that's supposed to be about Yahweh and man, although I soon began to realize that he appreciates Buddha in the same way Paul appreciates the Athenian religions, though it is more evident here. He works hard to redeem truths in Buddha's teachings and refine them under the gaze of Christ. I find this to be incredibly important contextualization, and it is so valuable that he does not outright condemn his Buddhist roots but rather seeks to find the ways through which it has revealed truth to man according to Yahweh's common grace.
At first I was concerned over his engagement with Buddhist theology and the sheer volume of it which he shares in a book that's supposed to be about Yahweh and man, although I soon began to realize that he appreciates Buddha in the same way Paul appreciates the Athenian religions, though it is more evident here. He works hard to redeem truths in Buddha's teachings and refine them under the gaze of Christ. I find this to be incredibly important contextualization, and it is so valuable that he does not outright condemn his Buddhist roots but rather seeks to find the ways through which it has revealed truth to man according to Yahweh's common grace.
March 11, 2020
Whimsical, witty, and down-right just good, Kosuke Koyama is truly a one-of-a-kind theologian. Koyama is, along with Jung Young Lee and C.S. Song, a trail-blazer and an inspiration to young, aspiring theologians like me -- an Asian American. Though Western trained (Princeton and Union Theological Seminary), Koyama is unapologetic of use of Buddhism, Japanese heritage and history, Southeastern folk wisdom, and more. This unique blend of sources makes him a creative theologian and always, always fun to read -- he even draws pictures!
Three Mile An Hour God is a collection of biblical-theological reflections that loosely centers around the theme of the slow, Christian God. In short, God is slow, so slow to the point of a 'full stop' -- 'nailed down' -- at the cross! Koyama claims the fastest God goes is three miles an hour, or the average walking speed. Indeed, God walks with us, not ahead of us.
Three Mile An Hour God is broken up into four parts: personal spirituality, global reflections, national-level reflections, and call to social justice. Again, each centers around the slow God: how does the slow God meet us in our most present needs, concerns, and aliments?
Koyama confronts both the West and the East of their obsession with technology -- especially its convenience and the idol of efficiency at the expense of others. He is both moral and spiritual in his call to action. He names the evil within our idolatrous thinking and lifestyles -- like a good Lutheran! He is sharp yet not inaccessible -- in fact, his writing is surprisingly accessible for English as his second language.
Kosuke Koyama has quickly grown to be one of my favorite theologians -- certainly one of the most formative theologians. He takes the best and most malleable parts, or makes them malleable, of Western theology -- mostly Lutheran -- and blends them with his context: Thailand, Buddhism, folk wisdom, and more. This, again, makes him a creative theologian, but not syncretic, at least I don't think. He is undoubtedly Christocentric: Jesus Christ is Lord over all. Christ is the judging standard of Koyama's theology, but Christ is, according to Koyama, more gracious than we might have expected him to be. I look forward to reading more of his work and, perhaps, writing a longer post on him, his works, and his influence.
cf. www.sooholee.com
Three Mile An Hour God is a collection of biblical-theological reflections that loosely centers around the theme of the slow, Christian God. In short, God is slow, so slow to the point of a 'full stop' -- 'nailed down' -- at the cross! Koyama claims the fastest God goes is three miles an hour, or the average walking speed. Indeed, God walks with us, not ahead of us.
Three Mile An Hour God is broken up into four parts: personal spirituality, global reflections, national-level reflections, and call to social justice. Again, each centers around the slow God: how does the slow God meet us in our most present needs, concerns, and aliments?
Koyama confronts both the West and the East of their obsession with technology -- especially its convenience and the idol of efficiency at the expense of others. He is both moral and spiritual in his call to action. He names the evil within our idolatrous thinking and lifestyles -- like a good Lutheran! He is sharp yet not inaccessible -- in fact, his writing is surprisingly accessible for English as his second language.
Kosuke Koyama has quickly grown to be one of my favorite theologians -- certainly one of the most formative theologians. He takes the best and most malleable parts, or makes them malleable, of Western theology -- mostly Lutheran -- and blends them with his context: Thailand, Buddhism, folk wisdom, and more. This, again, makes him a creative theologian, but not syncretic, at least I don't think. He is undoubtedly Christocentric: Jesus Christ is Lord over all. Christ is the judging standard of Koyama's theology, but Christ is, according to Koyama, more gracious than we might have expected him to be. I look forward to reading more of his work and, perhaps, writing a longer post on him, his works, and his influence.
cf. www.sooholee.com
August 9, 2025
I enjoyed it. some great themes and reflections. thought-provoking. some stuff is outdated, but that's to be expected. I loved themes of encounter, social justice, love, and more. read it slowly, allowing the words to sink in.
it's a collection of short reflections. Each one is maybe 2-7 pages in length. The first reflection is Three Mile an Hour God, so don't expect the theme to define the entire book, book it is a thread that emerges throughout. I think that miffed some people, who expected the whole book to be about three mile an hour God. Now you know!
it's a collection of short reflections. Each one is maybe 2-7 pages in length. The first reflection is Three Mile an Hour God, so don't expect the theme to define the entire book, book it is a thread that emerges throughout. I think that miffed some people, who expected the whole book to be about three mile an hour God. Now you know!
March 30, 2024
an unassuming book that speaks to the heart quietly and makes you lean in. "Love has its speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice or not, at three miles an hour. It is the speed we walk and therefore the speed the love of God walks."
This is the first time I've read the writings of an Asian theologian (Kosuke Koyama) and his thoughts made something click between my experience of Christianity with my identity as a Korean American. This excites me as I face an ever-expanding world. He also talks about creativity, social responsibility, racism, and technology. It is true, "None is righteous, no not one," [Rom 3:10] but "at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." [Phil 2:10]
Excerpts from the chapter "What is Syncretism?":
"If he is able to distinguish the gifts of his heritage and his new faith, his attitude will not be syncretic but responsible and discerning. His life will be greatly enriched...I am led to believe that Jesus Christ inspires me to find out ways in which I can make use of my Japanese heritage...It is not an experience of demolition but of resurrection...Bringing our religious customs and orientations to his [Jesus Christ's] presence is not syncretic. It is an ecumenical movement. Such an ecumenical movement is a spiritually awakened one. It is an exciting spiritual and culturally refreshing experience. One should see his own culture blessed and enriched."
This is the first time I've read the writings of an Asian theologian (Kosuke Koyama) and his thoughts made something click between my experience of Christianity with my identity as a Korean American. This excites me as I face an ever-expanding world. He also talks about creativity, social responsibility, racism, and technology. It is true, "None is righteous, no not one," [Rom 3:10] but "at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." [Phil 2:10]
Excerpts from the chapter "What is Syncretism?":
"If he is able to distinguish the gifts of his heritage and his new faith, his attitude will not be syncretic but responsible and discerning. His life will be greatly enriched...I am led to believe that Jesus Christ inspires me to find out ways in which I can make use of my Japanese heritage...It is not an experience of demolition but of resurrection...Bringing our religious customs and orientations to his [Jesus Christ's] presence is not syncretic. It is an ecumenical movement. Such an ecumenical movement is a spiritually awakened one. It is an exciting spiritual and culturally refreshing experience. One should see his own culture blessed and enriched."
December 23, 2022
This book was a great experience for me. I wouldn't say this is an easy read, but it is worth while. The best way I can describe reading this book is as follows:
You are having morning coffee with Kosuke Koyama on a weekly basis. You ask him every time you sit down together "What's been on your mind?", which he proceeds to process a topic that he's been chewing on the past week.
I enjoyed this book most when I visualized the above scenario. It reads as if the author is speaking to you, not writing to you. With that said, I understand that this was my personal experience with this book. I would say give this a shot and enjoy someone out of your normal routine of reading!
You are having morning coffee with Kosuke Koyama on a weekly basis. You ask him every time you sit down together "What's been on your mind?", which he proceeds to process a topic that he's been chewing on the past week.
I enjoyed this book most when I visualized the above scenario. It reads as if the author is speaking to you, not writing to you. With that said, I understand that this was my personal experience with this book. I would say give this a shot and enjoy someone out of your normal routine of reading!
July 24, 2023
Brilliant work. A bunch of reflections by a Japanese Christian from the 70s. The Christian journey is slow and patient — technology has alienated us from the God who walked at three miles an hour in the Galilean countryside. We’d do well to join him and match his pace.
October 18, 2024
It's hard to rate this reading experience with so many singular essays strung together. Let's start with what I enjoyed. Kosuke's essay titled Three Mile an Hour God is so soul-stirring and insightful. I originally picked up the book after seeing an excerpt from this essay and thinking I had to get my own physical copy.
While I hoped to see more essays written about the slower pace of following Jesus, the essays seemed to become more disjointed as I went along. There was also a great deal of reflections around Buddhism, which I didn't expect. I appreciated stepping outside of my Western cultural context, but I felt a bit lost and confused in some of the essays.
Maybe I'll dive back into the pages in another season of life, but for now, I'll just savor the title's inspiration essay.
While I hoped to see more essays written about the slower pace of following Jesus, the essays seemed to become more disjointed as I went along. There was also a great deal of reflections around Buddhism, which I didn't expect. I appreciated stepping outside of my Western cultural context, but I felt a bit lost and confused in some of the essays.
Maybe I'll dive back into the pages in another season of life, but for now, I'll just savor the title's inspiration essay.
April 21, 2019
Although now 40 years since publication, this book contains timeless wisdom and insight that, being ahead of its time in 1979 still rings true today. The social commentary could have been written today, addressing issues as diverse as the nuclear disarmament, militarism, imperialism, racial discrimination, human rights, consumerism and the impact of technology on individuals and society. Koyama expresses coherent critical thinking that is noticeably lacking in public discourse and political leadership today and draws on a wide range of Scriptures as a focus, making them relevant to modern life. I found reading this illuminating, especially Koyama's own experiences of the nuclear devestation at the end of WWII which brought Japan to its knees and Japan's post-war development and changes in attitudes from being avowedly anti-war to having an enormous military budget. In an age of cynicism, despair and "truth decay" (Gavin Esler's preferred term), this is a refreshingly honest look at global and societal issues through Biblical wisdom yet also drawing on positives from Eastern religions such as Buddhism whilst acknowledging their drawbacks. Well supported work with a comperhensive variety of sources used.
November 15, 2021
This is an absolutely wonderful little book. I am so thankful to have stumbled upon Kosuke Koyama. He beautifully intertwines deep theological truth with his experience of missions work. Resulting in thought-provoking and grounded meditations on idolatry, justice, technology, and the Christian life.
“The central symbolism of the Christian faith, the cross, does not give us the image of a bridge. It gives us, instead, the feeling of confrontation, encounter and conflict. It is an image of intersection.”
“The central symbolism of the Christian faith, the cross, does not give us the image of a bridge. It gives us, instead, the feeling of confrontation, encounter and conflict. It is an image of intersection.”
December 21, 2020
A profound devotional that requires meditation on its subjects. Koyama’s questions are open-ended. Many times I wishes he would elaborate. I highlighted more than a few devotions to circle back to often. His reading of Scripture like usual is deeply personal and insightful for the modern world. Koyama does not attempt pinpoint accuracy in his exegesis; he in fact spends more time contemplating Buddhist parallels, Japanese history, and everyday sights than he does in Scripture. Yet his theological insights are profound, especially related to the titular axiom. Are we passively living in an ungodly society, or do we conform to God’s time and love our neighbors as ourselves?
January 28, 2022
I love this collection of essays. Each is a meditation on a scripture that circles around broader themes of human wholeness ("life deepening"), interfaith relationships ("world meeting"), national identity ("nation searching"), or right relationships ("justice searching"). Koyama's theology is deep and generous, his writing style is poetic, and the spirituality and theology he commends is accessible and prophetic.
Koyama is a model of what I try to do in my speaking and writing - engage the Bible and the life and teaching of Jesus in ways that promote both private and public well-being and that engage the themes and culture of our times.
Koyama is a model of what I try to do in my speaking and writing - engage the Bible and the life and teaching of Jesus in ways that promote both private and public well-being and that engage the themes and culture of our times.
March 17, 2023
Unique blend of theological, political, and cultural mini-reflections from a Japanese theologian in the late 70s.
"God walks 'slowly' because he is love. If he is not love he would have gone much faster. Love has its speed. It is an inner speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It is 'slow' yet is is lord over all other speeds since it is the speed of love. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice it or not, whether we are currently hit by storm or not, at three miles an hour. It is the speed we walk and therefor it is the speed the love of God walks."
"God walks 'slowly' because he is love. If he is not love he would have gone much faster. Love has its speed. It is an inner speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It is 'slow' yet is is lord over all other speeds since it is the speed of love. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice it or not, whether we are currently hit by storm or not, at three miles an hour. It is the speed we walk and therefor it is the speed the love of God walks."
December 20, 2025
This was my first time reading the work of an Asian theologian, it was so interesting to see how Koyama’s Buddhist and Japanese background influenced how he interpreted the Bible and Christian teachings. Hoping to continue exploring the works of theologians from other cultures and backgrounds; you can learn so much from different perspectives!
I will note that the marketing for this book is not very good. Only a small part of the book was centered on slowing down and the titular three mile an hour God. Expect more of a collected works type of book, it’s filled with essays on numerous topics but all related to Koyama’s faith.
I will note that the marketing for this book is not very good. Only a small part of the book was centered on slowing down and the titular three mile an hour God. Expect more of a collected works type of book, it’s filled with essays on numerous topics but all related to Koyama’s faith.
March 20, 2025
DNF: Tried so hard to get through this one, but it is dated and far too speculative for me. I appreciate the ideas Koyama is known for such as the slowness of ministry (for which I started reading this book), but much of that is in the first few devotionals of the book. The quality drops off pretty quickly and some of the conclusions Koyama draws from passages of scripture are simply bizarre and don't pass the "scripture interpreting scripture" smell test. Probably won't come back to this one, but I'm happy I got through the first third of the book.
February 19, 2024
This book in its entirety is nit amazing. Somethings he talks about are specific issues of the 1970s when he wrote this. But ipother things are timeless and even more appropriate fir our pace of life now. I think some essays are brilliant too. I think it is good to read Christian perspectives from different cultures instead of keeping your understanding of Christian faith and practice only within your cultural context.
April 6, 2020
Koyama extends a great deal of effort blending buddhism and Christianity.
There were several sections that were just a perspective on the bombing of Hiroshima without much application.
The final chapter is probably the most helpful in applying his thoughts and philosophy practically.
There were several sections that were just a perspective on the bombing of Hiroshima without much application.
The final chapter is probably the most helpful in applying his thoughts and philosophy practically.
July 7, 2024
I thought this is a theology book about rest and solitude, but this is more like faith and science integration. The book is more on how Japanese history and general technology could be applied and affecting Christianity.
September 1, 2025
This book makes some really profound points in its 45 essays. It’s not a book to be read in a few sittings, but rather probably 45-60 sittings. Once I embraced the slowness that was needed due to its depth, I loved it.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
October 17, 2019
A voice worth hearing. Very worth hearing.
February 21, 2021
Just read it, full of amazing insights to humans and our failings 😀❤️🙏
January 14, 2022
This book is very helpful for my study!
March 18, 2022
Need to finish one day. Really great.
April 16, 2025
A collection of reflections on Scripture with occasional profundity.
May 7, 2025
This book made me think about familiar scripture in completely new ways! It’s a refreshing deviation for the usual Eurocentric perspective
June 13, 2025
Gott stöff. Mjög góð innsín inni hvernig suðaustur asísk manneskja horfir á kristni og hvernig hún berst saman við önnur staðbundin trúarbrögð
September 7, 2025
Not what I expected. Way more focused on WWII reflections through a biblical lens, especially re: the atomic bombs dropped on Japan.
January 22, 2025
Title and talk about this book a little misleading. Thought the entire work would be focused on this idea of "walking the pace of God's love". Nonetheless, the work is not at all disappointing. The 4 sections are unique and offer incredible insight into how Jesus fits into the world around us (or around Koyama at the time of writing). I used this as a daily read, one essay or chapter a day with my morning tea or coffee. It felt like sitting with a wise old man pouring out years of accumulated wisdom.
Definitely worth the read, but do not expect 200 pages on the idea expressed by the title.
Definitely worth the read, but do not expect 200 pages on the idea expressed by the title.
October 3, 2023
I learned of this book when Pete Grieg of 24/7 Prayer team was on his Aiden Way Pilgrimage. Since I was preparing to do the Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, I was particularly interested in the title and the premise that 3 miles an hour was the pace of love.
Upon receiving the book (originally published in 1979), I found that this book contains 45 essays covering a diversity of topics - but grouped under 4 main categories. These are: Life Deepening; World Meeting: Nation Searching; and Justice Insisting. I had previously read "Water Buffalo Theology," so was aware of his unique ability to open my eyes to views of God and Jesus Christ that expanded beyond my Western Evangelical upbringing.
Though some reflect the immediate Japanese history of post WW2 or the social structures of SE Asia, his deep considerations of a walk in the world as a follower of Christ challenged my status quo with a relevance as if he were reading today's headlines. Every essay brought me back to a plumb line of, as Luther said, "To receive Jesus Christ in every man and to be Jesus Christ to every man" (p. 184). Loving God and loving our neighbor theology seems to be foundational in all his essays.
Upon receiving the book (originally published in 1979), I found that this book contains 45 essays covering a diversity of topics - but grouped under 4 main categories. These are: Life Deepening; World Meeting: Nation Searching; and Justice Insisting. I had previously read "Water Buffalo Theology," so was aware of his unique ability to open my eyes to views of God and Jesus Christ that expanded beyond my Western Evangelical upbringing.
Though some reflect the immediate Japanese history of post WW2 or the social structures of SE Asia, his deep considerations of a walk in the world as a follower of Christ challenged my status quo with a relevance as if he were reading today's headlines. Every essay brought me back to a plumb line of, as Luther said, "To receive Jesus Christ in every man and to be Jesus Christ to every man" (p. 184). Loving God and loving our neighbor theology seems to be foundational in all his essays.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews