This is the Gospel
The southern gospel music choir that practices here at the church is preparing for a performance in August. The event is being advertised under the title “This is The Gospel.” Having just returned from a conference where the true nature of the gospel message (a topic I think is quite important) was discussed at length, I have to admit that every time I see the poster for this event, I cringe. In their defense, I think their intended meaning was “This is Gospel” (as in the music); but because Japanese doesn’t have articles (a, an, & the), it is difficult for them to understand the different nuance.
On the heels of those musings, was a ladies’ event we had this past Tuesday. A trio call “Grace Gospel Singers” came up from the island south of us to do a ladies’ concert. While they share the same southern gospel style, this group is markedly different from the one in Ube in that the members of the trio are all strong Christians and wholeheartedly believe the message they are singing. One of the implications of this is that our local group performs most of their songs in English – simply imitating the performances of American groups they see on the internet – this trio performed most of their songs in Japanese – singing out of deep conviction. I don’t know how many of the non-Christian women that attended the concert appreciated having the message of the songs communicated clearly and how many would have rather the message obscured by English so they could just enjoy the music, but the message was clear nonetheless.
One of the members of "Grace Gospel Singers" share some thoughts on the meaning of a song.
The contrast between these two gospel performances got me thinking about how the gospel is communicated here in Japan. Both singing groups were verbally communicating the essence of the gospel message in their songs. The one, however, did so in a way that made that message much clearer to their audience. As westerners that are constantly bumping into aspects of how Japanese people process life differently from us, we need to be conscious that we are communicating the gospel message in a way that enhances its understandability rather than obscures it.
Unfortunately, sometimes when the gospel message is communicated, it is done without concern for how easily is can be received and understood. The promise from Isaiah 55, that God’s Word will accomplish all that he intends, is true. The Scripture and the message of the gospel that it conveys are active and powerful. But that fact does not give us license to simply “put the Word of God out there,” taking no responsibility for how it is heard. Making sure we get the message right is no more important than making sure we communicate the message in a way that it is able to be received and understood.
Pray for Theresa and me, as we continue to learn about Japanese culture and continue to become proficient in how to express deep concepts in Japanese. Pray that the relationships we make will enable us to understand the Japanese and be able to connect with them on a deep level.