What is the Resurrection School? The Primacy of Faith in a Japanese Context
* This article respects the freedom of religion, thought, and conscience, and does not represent any specific denomination. The term "Resurrection School" is used here to describe a stance that places the resurrection of Christ at the center of faith, and this is an attempt to examine and explain its meaning.
1. Characteristics of Evangelicalism (Bebbington's Quadrilateral)
British scholar David Bebbington summarized the characteristics of Christian "Evangelicalism" into four points.
Biblicism—Believing the Bible to be the Word of God and making it the primary authority for faith and life
Crucicentrism—Placing the atonement of Christ on the cross at the center of faith as the only way to salvation
Conversionism—Emphasizing internal personal transformation (new birth)
Activism—A stance of actively spreading faith through evangelism
What is noteworthy here, I believe, is that the central doctrine was "Crucicentrism" rather than "Atonement and Resurrection." In other words, it seems that at the root of Evangelicalism, there was a stance that prioritized the atonement of the cross above all else.
2. The Position of the Resurrection School
In contrast, the "Resurrection School" as I conceive it does not necessarily retain all the frameworks of Evangelicalism as they are, but can be thought of as a faith stance reconstructed by shifting the center of gravity to the "Resurrection" for each characteristic.
The Bible as Canon
While we respect the Bible as canon and as an authoritative text, we do not view "Sola Scriptura" as the sole absolute. Liturgy, theological writings, and communal experience can also be considered means through which God works.Cross and Resurrection
The Resurrection School does not disregard the atonement of the cross. However, our understanding is this:
"Atonement is only completed through the Resurrection". This is because we believe that through the Resurrection, the death on the cross was confirmed not as a mere tragedy of an individual, but as the verification of salvation by God and Christ. Therefore, while we value atonement,
we uphold the "Resurrection," which resonates more universally with all people. We believe that the resurrection of Christ is the "victory of life" revealed by God, and that it possesses an appeal that transcends culture and history.Understanding Conversion
We do not consider a dramatic conversion to be essential. We believe that faith may change in a short time or may be shaped gradually, and both are respected as God's guidance.Evangelistic Nature
We believe that evangelism is essential, but that its form can be diverse. Not only preaching and missionary work, but also writing, social media, quiet testimony, and small daily words can all be considered forms of Christ's "evangelism."
3. Openness to Other Denominations
I believe the characteristic of the Resurrection School lies in its openness to other denominations.
Because Evangelicalism strongly upholds "Sola Scriptura," a hallmark of Protestant theology, it seems that tension sometimes arises between it and Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and other mainstream Protestant denominations. On the other hand, the Resurrection School, while valuing the Bible, does not absolutize everything, and understands that
if we stand on the faith of the Resurrection, we can be united.
Each denomination values the Bible as canon, while also:
Catholicism: Emphasizing liturgy, sacred tradition, etc.
Orthodoxy: Maintaining mystical traditions, etc.
Other mainstream Protestant denominations: Respecting flexible biblical interpretation, etc.
Even with these differences, it is believed that we can walk together due to the central point of 'faith in the resurrection'.
4. Flexibility to approach the Evangelical movement
The Resurrection School is not disconnected from the Evangelical movement, and it also possesses the flexibility to approach the Evangelical movement as well.
If one emphasizes the authority of the Bible further, one can approach the Evangelical stance of biblicalism and biblical absolutism.
If one values conversionism more, one can approach the Evangelical emphasis on being 'born again'.
In other words, the Resurrection School can be understood as a style that encompasses the essence of the Evangelical movement while centering on the resurrection, and it can be understood as having the flexibility to transition into the Evangelical movement.
5. Connectivity with other cultures
A further strength of the Resurrection School is its connectivity with other cultures.
Non-church movement: Even without being bound by existing church systems, one can be united if one shares the resurrection faith.
Shinto culture: Prayer for family, reverence for the divine, and the hope of resurrection resonate deeply.
Buddhist culture: Regarding the question of how to overcome death and suffering, the resurrection presents a concrete answer: the 'victory of life' through the power of God.
Through this connectivity, it is thought that the Resurrection School has the power to go beyond the framework of Christianity and engage in dialogue with Japanese culture.
6. Consistency with the teachings of the Apostle Paul
Around 50 AD, from the very beginning of Christianity, the Apostle Paul taught the faith, stating that
Christ died for our sins (atonement on the cross)
and was raised on the third day (resurrection)
were the 'most important things' (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) leading to God's salvation.
It is possible to analyze the Resurrection School as being in a position that upholds this minimum condition for salvation since the time of the Apostle Paul.
Believing in atonement and resurrection is at the heart of Christian faith, and it is possible to consider the Resurrection School as re-presenting this to the modern age.
7. Inception in the Japanese context
It is said that Christians in Japan make up about 1% of the population. In this reality, the question of 'how can faith and the church expand' is unavoidable.
The way of being a Resurrectionist may be considered highly suitable for the situation in contemporary Japan.
A flexibility that upholds the Cross and the Resurrection without being overly bound by bibliolatry
An openness to other denominations and cultures
A simple, central faith in the "Resurrection" that is universally appealing to all people
These, I believe, could serve as a starting point for conveying, germinating, and developing faith in Japan. Although the Resurrectionist movement is still very small, it seems to hold the potential to spread into the future.
8. The Importance of Individual Cooperation
However, whether the Resurrectionist movement spreads is by no means determined solely by its philosophy or theology. Like many other philosophies and movements, the cooperation of each individual is essential.
Bearing witness to the hope of the Resurrection in one's own life
Naturally conveying the message of the Resurrection to those around you
Continuing to gently speak of the "Resurrected Christ" in churches and other places
Only through the accumulation of these efforts will the Resurrectionist movement become a reality.
If each person sincerely desires to "save themselves and those around them through the Gospel of God," it is conceivable that the Resurrectionist movement will surely spread.
Resurrection faith is not merely an individual's idea; it can also be considered a message of life passed from person to person.
9. Summary at This Point
What is the Resurrectionist movement?
Respects the Cross while placing the Resurrection at the center
Can connect with both Evangelicals and other denominations
Is open to other cultures
Upholds the minimum requirements of faith since the Apostle Paul
Can serve as a starting point in Japan
Has the potential for God's salvation to spread through the cooperation of each individual
This is not merely a new label, but rather seems to be a stance of faith that is theologically orthodox, culturally universal, and opens up the future in a Japanese way.