I too am confused about apostasy in your review. By the way, for all its synergism, Roman Catholicism is also compassionate in this way: In Roman Catholic thought, apostasy is not true apostasy if it is coerced.

I would be curious if the reviewer has read "Silence and Beauty" by Makoto Fujimura, in order to get a more contextual approach to this book, centered in Japanese culture. There might be some overlap between what is discussed in that book and our Lutheran understanding of the theology of the cross.

Great review, otherwise!