Stumbled upon this book...looks very intriguing. In working on the manhood metaphor of knighthood for my sons, I have most often focused on the western medieval tradition. I have always had an interest in the samurai and the code of Bushido, however, I have shied away from it mostly because of the Zen overtones.
This book looks like it tries to reconcile, or at least circumvent the contradictions:
The samurai, whose very title means “one who serves,” were skillful warriors of feudal Japan who devoted themselves fully to the service of their masters, willing even to sacrifice their lives in service to their lord. Christians are also called by their Lord, Jesus, to take up their cross and follow Him, and to seek to lose their life for His sake (Matthew 16:24-25).
Author Paul Nowak ties the advice of these servant-warriors of old, pointing out how the selections from samurai texts relate to Christian teachings found in the Scriptures.
The book is a matchless resource for Christians intrigued by the mythos of the samurai or Japanese culture, or for pastors and other spiritual leaders who are looking for anecdotes that illustrate Biblical ideals
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