Silence: Martyrdom, Missionaries, and the Battle Between Faith and Empire in Japan

By Tim Madsen

"Faith begins where answers end."

In Silence: Martyrdom, Missionaries, and the Battle Between Faith and Empire in Japan, a sweeping and contemplative study, the complex intersections of belief, power, culture, and conscience are laid bare. Inspired by Martin Scorsese's cinematic adaptation of Shūsaku Endō's acclaimed novel, this book offers a deeply researched and philosophically rich exploration of one of the most spiritually provocative stories in modern film and literature.

Set against the violent suppression of Christianity in 17th-century Japan, Silence examines how missionaries brought not only the Gospel but also the weight of empire-and how their faith collided with an ancient and resilient culture. Through ten insightful chapters, this book traces the historical events, theological dilemmas, psychological tensions, and cinematic artistry that define the world of Silence.

At its heart lies the story of Sebasti o Rodrigues, a Jesuit priest forced to choose between doctrinal purity and compassionate betrayal. Alongside him stands a cast of unforgettable figures: Kichijirō, the failed disciple who clings to grace; the Hidden Christians who risk their lives for forbidden worship; and the Japanese inquisitors who test the limits of conscience and power.

With a blend of historical context, spiritual reflection, and cinematic critique, this book investigates enduring questions:

Can faith survive in silence?

Is martyrdom always noble?

What happens when belief cannot translate across cultures?

And is it possible to follow Christ in failure and humiliation, rather than in glory?

For readers of theology, history, philosophy, and film-Silence: Martyrdom, Missionaries, and the Battle Between Faith and Empire in Japan is both a companion to Scorsese's film and a standalone meditation on belief in an age of noise, doubt, and moral complexity.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FMQCHHKN
• ISBN13: 9798298488204
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"