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A Change of Allegiance  /  Chapter 7 : From Samurai to Sanctuary: Xavier's Mission in Japan  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 1
Dean Taylor contrasts Danjiro’s test—“they would want to see whether your life corresponded with your teaching”—with later Western “might is right” assumptions; where does your own life visibly confirm (or contradict) what you say you believe about Jesus’ kingdom?
Another way to ask: Where does your everyday life clearly match (or not match) what you say you believe about Jesus’ kingdom?

Direct Answer Based on Dean Taylor’s teaching, the clearest “test” is whether your day-to-day choices show allegiance to Jesus’ kingdom values (trust in God, enemy-love, meekness) or to the world’s values (power, security, and pragmatic self-protection).

Support from Transcript:

  • Danjiro’s criterion: people “would first ask you many questions… [and] want to see whether your life corresponded with your teaching.”
  • Taylor describes a Western shift after WWII: “might and power had won… To be strong was to survive,” and this mindset shaped “the church as well.”
  • Beatitudes were marginalized: “Blessed are the meek” and “Blessed are the peacemakers” became “nice decoration.”
  • Jesus’ kingdom purpose is different: “the all-encompassing goal is not our happiness… but… to love God and to glorify him with every aspect of our lives.”
  • Taylor admits how pragmatic instincts can hollow out obedience: “I had allowed pragmatic thinking to creep in… by minimizing the promises of God and teachings of the Bible.”
Discussion Follow-ups Where does your lifestyle most clearly mirror cultural confidence in strength or control? What practices would make your “correspondence” visible to an outsider watching your life?

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