著者

川村 輝典

出版者

東京女子大学

雑誌

東京女子大学比較文化研究所紀要 (ISSN:05638186)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.52, pp.41-56, 1991

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1. The purpose of this paper is to call into question the term "Kokai-ism" a term denoting the concept that the ideal stand of the Christian Church in Japan is evangelical, superdenominational, and independent. Judged from this point of view, many important elements of the real church of Japan in Meiji Era are excluded. 2. Thus the establishment of Presbyterian churches by C. Carrothers, H. Loomis, and J. C. Hepburn has, as a consequence of sentimental reasoning, been treated relatively negatively and as yet not ecclesiastically. From a scientific point of view, this gives the impression of careless thinking. 3. The breakdown of Kokai-ism was achieved not by the independent work of the Presbyterian churches but by the nonecclesiastical character of the Kokai herself. The Presbyterian Church of Japan founded one new church after another and with the Dutch Reformed Church and the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland established the United Church of Japan. 4. The establishment of the United Church of Japan in October, 1877, was quite opportune and an incident of great historical importance for the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Japan. The original ideal of Kokai-ism has been realized not in herself but in the United Church of Japan. This church was established by the several churches, each of which maintained the clear character of the denomination and was as yet not closed, but wished to unite herself with the Congregational Church of Japan.