Theology of Silence

Abstract

This article explores Endo Shusaku’s views of God and silence with the aim of sketching what I take to be Endo’s theology of silence. In service of this goal, I will delineate how Japanese culture and events in Endo’s life contributed to shaping his views of God and silence, which ultimately led to Endo’s theology of silence—one fitting his Japanese sensibilities. In Endo’s divine drama of silence, Christ, who is the eternal suffering companion, is the inhabiter of silence, while the Kakure Kirishitans—the oppressed and weary—are the pilgrims of silence. In the space of silence, ultimate beauty is revealed. God does not leave those who suffer alone; they are his to be comforted. Endo’s Christ is ineffectual to deliver from harm, yet he is effectual to comfort those who seemingly cannot be comforted and to love those who are seemingly unlovable.