(1) What are the ideas of Christianity?

To reiterate, what are the core beliefs of Christianity? Let's look at some representative examples.

First and foremost is the idea that "each individual is an irreplaceable being." The central message of Christianity is that "God created the world, including humanity, and loves all that lives in it." It is believed that each human being is a precious being created by God, and that their very existence has value. God's love is called "agape" in Greek, and agape is given unconditionally and without expectation of anything, regardless of gender, race, achievements, or even whether or not a person has faith. By having a shared understanding that "every human being is cherished by God, no matter who they are," a spirit of cherishing both oneself and others is nurtured.

Furthermore, Christianity is characterized by cherishing each individual's talents as gifts from God and respecting the diversity of each person. It emphasizes the idea of "being both A and B" rather than a binary choice of "A or B." For example, in Christianity, Jesus Christ is believed to be "the true God and the true man." In our society, too, we often find ourselves saying things like, "That person is serious but also funny," or "(Regarding a certain event) people have different perspectives, but I can understand both sides of the argument." Multifacetedness can be described as a state where there are multiple yardsticks, rather than evaluating and dismissing someone based on a single standard such as "can do/cannot do something" or "is it valuable to someone/is it not valuable to someone." An important aspect of Christian education is that we learn to recognize that "this person has their own good points," rather than judging different personalities as good or bad.

Furthermore, at our university, we cherish the phrase "salt of the earth and light of the world" found in the New Testament, Matthew 5:13-16, and the concept of "servant leadership." Salt acts as a preservative, preventing the corruption of people and society. Light warmly illuminates lonely individuals while also illuminating injustice and revealing truths. The Bible says, "You are the salt of the earth," and "You are the light of the world," but what is important here is that for human beings, being "salt of the earth and light of the world" is not a "goal to strive for" but a "certainty." It is a phrase that encourages action, saying, "You are already the salt of the earth and light of the world, so fulfill your roles." This phrase expresses a deep trust in humanity, similar to the "parable of the talents" mentioned earlier, and is expected to help students break free from negative beliefs such as "I'm useless." After hearing this, some students commented, "The 'already' part made me feel relieved, as if my own worth was being acknowledged," and "It motivated me."

Those who embody this "salt of the earth, light of the world" are "servant leaders." A servant leader is someone who serves society while exercising leadership, and is therefore not "just a convenient person." For this reason, they need to continuously refine the knowledge, skills, experience, and character befitting a leader.

(1) Worship

Based on these ideas, the three pillars established to realize Christian education at this university are "worship," "regular subjects related to Christianity," and "Christian activities."

Worship is a visible manifestation of faith and a central forum for conveying "what our university values in Christian education." Therefore, in addition to regular university worship services, we conduct major ceremonies, including the entrance ceremony and the degree conferment ceremony (graduation ceremony), in the form of worship services.

Major ceremonies at our university are designed to allow all attendees to participate while maintaining their own religious, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds. This embodies our university's inclusive spirit of welcoming people with diverse values and cultural backgrounds. There is absolutely no pressure to convert to Christianity.

One thing I'd like to mention here is that at our university, the send-off and victory celebration for the track and field club (long-distance block) in the Hakone Ekiden, as well as the victory celebration for the baseball club, begin with an opening prayer by the religious Chief in front of the chapel on each campus. It's always a pleasure when, after leading the opening prayer, baseball players running around campus during practice come up to greet me. One particularly memorable experience was when I offered a prayer at the unveiling ceremony for a plaque commemorating the 2,000 hits achieved by alumni Toshihito Iguchi and Hiroki Kokubo (current manager of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks). A graduate who attended told me that it reminded him of the hardships he faced in the baseball club. It was very impressive to see that he listened carefully to the words of prayer and connected them to his own experiences.

① Introduction to Christianity

Another pillar of Christian education is the Christian understanding-related subjects, including the compulsory course "Introduction to Christianity I." "Introduction to Christianity I and II" aim to deepen students' understanding of Christian thought by providing them with a foundational knowledge of the Bible.

For example, in my first-year course, "Introduction to Christianity I," I use the "World Religion Distribution Map" (source: "Christian Yearbook 2024-2025," Christian Newspaper Company) to introduce the role of religion around the world. First, Christianity is the world's largest religion, with believers accounting for approximately 33% of the world's population. Adding Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism to this, the four major religions alone account for approximately 77% of the world's population. There are many other religions in the world, so overall, those with no religion are a minority. Against this backdrop, I introduce how religion is a lifestyle and the foundation of moral values for many people around the world. Furthermore, Christianity is deeply intertwined with various fields around the world, from economics and art to daily life. Therefore, I also convey that learning about Christian knowledge and ways of thinking is of great significance from a general education perspective.

Furthermore, the course will touch upon the history of our university, the missionaries who worked hard to establish the school, and other collaborators. While there will be a report assignment on worship services, this is intended to allow students to learn about Christianity in a practical setting and is not intended to encourage conversion. Through this course, we hope that students will deepen their understanding of the ideas, logic, and values of Christian faith that have been passed down through generations at Aoyama.

Related video: [Student-led course introduction video] Learning from the "The Aoyama Standard" / Introduction to Christianity I

② Service-Learning

In service-learning, we emphasize fostering a sincere attitude of learning from reality by having students listen to firsthand accounts from those who continue volunteer activities and by having them participate in hands-on activities themselves. By witnessing the complexity of social issues, students can move beyond theoretical discussions and gain a more realistic perspective. It is also a valuable opportunity to practically learn about diverse ways of thinking, acting, and living, as well as servant leadership. We hope that this class will serve as a catalyst for students to think about "what they can do."

③ Soper Program

Another unique subject at our university is the "Soper Program." This program is designed for students aiming to become teachers at Christian schools and offers a comprehensive set of specialized subjects. The program completion certificate is a valuable asset for students hoping to be employed at a Christian school. Approximately 10 students complete the program each year, and several of them actually become teachers at Christian schools.

In addition to the The Aoyama Standard courses, our university offers many other courses related to understanding Christianity, including art, history, politics, philosophy, and ethics. In every class, there is a wish that students keep in mind the fact that "everyone is created in the image of God and is a precious and irreplaceable being with dignity," as stated in a passage from the Book of Genesis: "God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

For more information on our Christian activities, which are another pillar of our organization, please refer to "Our Christian Activities (Student Voices)" below.

Many students at our university have never been exposed to Christianity before enrolling, so before learning about Christianity through classes and worship services, they often have the misconception that "this has nothing to do with me" or feel a certain tension. However, after learning about it, those feelings fade, and I think many students come to understand that "even though the Bible is an ancient document, it contains messages that resonate with us living in the modern age." When we covered the miracle stories of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, one student wrote on their response sheet that "more than the extraordinary nature of the miracles, I was encouraged by the image of Jesus Christ reaching out to people in distress."

■ About "Introduction to Christianity"
In the required course "Introduction to Christianity," I learned about the fundamental ideas of Christianity and the interpretation of the Bible. In addition to general knowledge about the Bible, I feel that my understanding of faith and its cultural influence has broadened. My understanding of Christianity also deepened outside of lectures. For example, in worship services, I was able to hear about the questions the preacher had faced in their life and their answers. A friend of mine, a self-funded Korean international student in the School of International Politics, Economics and Communication, said that she sometimes felt anxious about living alone in Japan, but that "because I am a Christian, I was able to overcome difficult times by feeling that Jesus was by my side." Through these experiences, I realized that for people of faith, Christianity is not just knowledge, but a spiritual support. Through studying Christianity, I feel that I have been exposed to new values and have gained a more multifaceted perspective.

■ About Worship Services
No special preparation or knowledge is required when attending worship services for school assignments or other purposes. Simply being mindful of basic etiquette—removing your hat, refraining from talking, and putting your smartphone on silent mode—is sufficient. Beyond that, just sit quietly, listen to the hymns, close your eyes gently, and spend the time peacefully in your own way. I myself attend worship services, regardless of school assignments, when I feel tired or want to calm my mind.

■ By learning about Christianity, I began to see world history and international politics in a more three-dimensional way.
I am studying international politics. When we covered European integration and the history of the Cold War in class, I grappled with the question, "Why were these countries able to cooperate despite their history of conflict?" I found that the underlying reason was the Christian values of "love for one's neighbor" and "forgiveness."
Furthermore, while studying the Reformation and Enlightenment, I learned that doctrinal differences influenced the formation of political systems and national ideologies, and I realized that history is not merely a series of events, but a continuous flow of ideas. I remember being particularly impressed by the moment when having a basic understanding of Christianity allowed me to understand the textbook descriptions in a much more comprehensive way. Moreover, I have become more aware of biblical motifs in everyday life, such as in movies, music, and literature, and I feel that my understanding of culture has deepened.

■ The charm of the chapel, filled with light and tranquility
I feel that the campus chapel is a place where I can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and quietly reflect on myself.
Particularly striking are the stained glass windows, where soft light filters through and expands the colors. The way the light enters changes depending on the time of day, and I find beauty in how the atmosphere subtly changes even in the same place. Stained glass can be found in the entrance hall of the Aoyama Campus Chapel and inside the chapel at Sagamihara Campus. Furthermore, the sound of the pipe organ is not only beautiful as music, but also has a resonance that envelops the entire space, calming the mind. Regardless of nationality or culture, I think the charm of this chapel lies in the strange sense of peace one feels when they are in this quiet space of prayer.

■ About Christian-related subjects and worship services
In Christian-related classes, I found it meaningful to connect the words and content of the Bible to contemporary social issues and topics close to my own life. The worship service reports assigned as class homework involve summarizing the content of the service and my own insights, and in the process, I was able to clarify vague questions and make new discoveries, further deepening my understanding of the Bible. You are free to attend worship services even outside of class assignments. No special preparation is needed to attend; simply singing hymns and opening your Bible in the sanctuary is sufficient. The preachers cover a wide range of topics and speak with unique personalities, so many people find it more interesting than they expected. I recommend starting by checking the titles of sermons in the weekly bulletin and attending the ones that interest you.

■ My experience studying abroad and Christianity
To Asia Study abroad at partner universities with interfaculty agreements I studied at Thammasat University in Thailand. The presence of Christianity was a great support for me even while studying abroad. As a Christian myself, I was able to naturally expand my circle of friends through worship services and the church, which provided a sense of belonging. I realized that even though we were of different races and cultures, having Christianity as a common ground allowed me to gain the trust of those around me and be accepted as a friend.