JAPANESE TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICAN RELIGIOUS DISCOURSE: Uoki Tadakazu’s Political Theology

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the formation process of Japanese theologian Uoki Tadakazu’s nationalistic (and imperial) theology. Unlike previous studies that have narrowly analyzed Uoki’s ‘Japan-style Christianity’ in the context of domestic cultural politics, this paper examines Uoki’s political theology in the context of transnational entanglement. It deals with how one context discussed in relation to social engagement at Union Theological Seminary (UTS) was imported and modified by a Japanese theologian who studied at UTS in the early and mid-1920s. While Uoki studied under Arthur McGiffert at Union, McGiffert’s approach to early church history prompted Uoki to consider Christianity’s role in society. After returning to Japan, he created ‘Japan-style Christianity’ through his efforts to incorporate various theological streams in the United States into Japanese society. This article provides an opportunity to seriously consider the relationship between religion and peace through Uoki’s political theology, which advocated the imperial war. © 2022 Journal of Dharma: Dharmaram Journal of Religions and Philosophies (DVK, Bangalore),.