A Study on the "Spiritualistic" Christianity in Japan

本研究探讨的是基督教圣灵运动在当代日本的发展。本文的最终目的是探讨这些运动的宇宙论和救世论特征，并明确其可能接受的社会文化基础，本研究的主要领域是这些运动在日本其他地区中最为突出的冲绳县。在我们两年的研究中，收集了关于这些运动的各种数据，例如驱逐恶魔，治愈病人，祈祷内部愈合，净化场地和住宅的仪式，以及许多关于恶魔或圣灵经历的见证。在我们的讨论中，我们注意到接受这些运动的社会和文化因素，在社会因素中，可以注意到亲属群体和地方组织的特点。正是由于这些特点，当代冲绳的牧师和信徒之间存在着多种超民族的联系。在文化因素方面，我们可以特别指出冲绳本土宗教的所谓萨满教性质。本研究所收集的资料表明，由Yuta和Munushiri精神顾问支持的现有地方信仰体系与新兴的唯灵主义基督教之间存在着连续性和差异。

This study is dealing with the developement of the Christian Holy Spiritual movements in contemporary Japan. Our final purpose is discussing their cosmological and soteriological characteristics and making clear the social or cultural basis which might readily accept thesemovements.Main field of this study is Okinawa Prefecture where these movements are more conspicuous than other areas in this country. During our two years' research, various data were gathered on these movements, such as casting out of demons, healing of sick people, prayr for inner healing, ritual for purifing grounds and residences, and many testimonials about the experience of demons or the Holy Spirit. ln our discussion, both social and cultural factors for accepting these movements were noted.As for the social factor, the characters of kinship groups and local organizations can be noted. Owing to such characters, in contemporary Okinawa there are many sorts of extra-denominational ties among pastors and adherents.As for the cultural facter, we can particularly point out the so-called shamanistic character of indigenous Okinawan religion. Those data collected in this study are suggesting the continuity and differnces between the existing local belief systems supported by the spiritual counselors called Yuta and Munushiri on the one hand, and the newly arising spiritualistic Christianity on the other.