| Part of a series on |
| Calvinism |
|---|
 |
 Calvinismportal |
According to a 2021 Gallup Korea poll, 17% of South Koreans identify as Protestant; [1] this is about 8.5 million people. About two-thirds of these are Presbyterians. Presbyterians in South Korea worship in over 100 different Presbyterian denominational churches who trace their history back to the United Presbyterian Assembly. [2]
In the past, Christianity in Asia was not very common. Of Asian countries, Korea had the most Christians. As Korean Protestantism began with the Western missionaries to Korea, the majority were American Presbyterian and Methodist. [3] Protestantism was introduced to Korea in the late 19th century through missionaries. Lay people like Seo Sang-ryun and Baek Hong-Joon spread their knowledge of the Gospels after their conversion, and Christianity, of which the Catholic form had been suppressed in the middle of the 19th century, began to grow again in Korea.
Protestant missionaries in Korea
In 1884, Seo founded the first Protestant Christian community in Korea. The following year, the first American Protestant missionary and physician, Horace N. Allen of the Northern Presbyterians, arrived in Korea, and began medical work in 1885. Horace G. Underwood, a fellow Northern Presbyterian missionary, later joined this effort. His efforts were to "Christianize" the Koreans. [4] Many people witnessed the extraordinary expansion of Protestant Christianity thanks to the early missionary method. Park (1992) states how the Nevius Plan and indirect missionary programs such as educational, medical, and social services. The indirect missionary method was effective because most Koreans in the beginning were apprehensive and hostile toward the Westerners to include missionaries. Through indirect programs, early missionaries slowly diminished the hostility and distrust of natives. The missionaries could communicate and sometimes convert Koreans. Clearly, the indirect missionary method worked well enough since small Protestant churches arose. [4]
The Presbyterian Church of Victoria began mission work in 1889, followed in 1892 by the Southern Presbyterians, and in 1898 by the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Together they formed the Council of Mission of Presbyterian Churches and in 1901 opened the Pyongyang Theological Seminary in Pyongyang.
In 1907, the Independent Presbytery of Jesus Christ was formed, and seven Korean pastors were ordained. In 1921 the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Chosun was formed and sent seven missionaries to China. [5]
During and even somewhat before the Japanese occupation, churches from practically all Christian denominations faced many hardships and were actively persecuted by the Japanese administration. The imposition of Shinto rites of worship further exacerbated religious persecution during the occupation. While South Korea was under rule of Japan at the time, they decided to open up their “personal boundaries” to other countries, such as the United States, who were responsible for introducing Protestantism to Korea. During this era, South Korea was mostly practicing Buddhism.Many Presbyterians were among those who resisted and fought for Korean independence. Following the conclusion the Second World War, the withdrawal of Japan, and the partitioning of Korea, Presbyterian churches in the communist-leaning northern parts of Korea were dissolved. In the Syngman Rhee-led parts of Korea south of the 38th Parallel they were reconstructed in 1946. The 33rd general assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Chosun was held in 1947. Two years later the name "Presbyterian Church in Korea" was adopted. The Christianity movement expanded rapidly after the Korean War. People needed hope after such destruction and annihilation, many turned towards religion to keep hope alive.
To be considered Protestant, Baker (2016) [6] defines “those who confessed belief in a specific Protestant creed, and they were expected to meet regularly for worship services in a Protestant church”. Protestants gave more credit to women for institutional roles in the church, much farther than Catholics have. Also assigning women titles such as exhorter and deaconess. [6] In 1989 there were nearly 30,000 protestant churches. In the same time there were nearly one fourth of South Korea’s 40 million people were protestant Christian. [7] No less than 25 percent of the population in South Korea is now Protestant Christian. [4] Currently, Protestant churches are to be found in nearly all of the larger villages, also the towns and cities. Seoul is filled with so many church buildings and signs of the cross, that it has been called "a city of churches." [4] In 2011, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism there were almost 78,000 Protestant churches in Korea. [6] South Korea has the world’s largest church congregation at the Yoido Full Gospel Church.
The following year saw significant growth for the Presbyterian church in Korea. Among the reasons contributing to the growth in size of Christian communities in Korea was the fact that unlike in other countries, Christianity was not associated with colonial or imperialist power. The Protestant Christian message came to Korea at a time when the religious and cultural heritage of the country had lost much of its strength and relevance for the common people. In addition to being unencumbered by imperialist or colonial connotations, the Christian communities themselves contributed to their own growth. Presbyterian churches adopted what was called the "Möbius method" in which each new convert was strongly encouraged to become an evangelist and convert others, and much like the Möbius strip this practice is intended to make Christianity in Korea boundless. Together with the post-World War II revival movement, these factors contributed greatly to the immense growth of Christianity in Korea in the decades since.
Eventually, Korean Christians established their own churches not just in Korea but in other parts of the world; Korea is second only to the United States in the number of missionaries sent abroad. Several thousand Korean Presbyterian missionaries are active in many other countries.
Growth, however, was not free of turmoil, but accompanied by schisms. After World War II but before the end of the Korean War the Presbyterian Church in Korea (고신, Go-shin) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (재건, Jae-gun) were formed. [8] A few years later the conservative and progressive parts of the Presbyterian Church separated. As a result, in the last major Presbyterian schism, the Presbyterian Church in Korea (통합, Tong-hap) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (합동, Hap-dong) were formed in 1959. [9] From these bodies several denominations separated. Today there are more than 100 Presbyterian churches/denominations in South Korea. [10] In the 21st century, a new General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Korea (Founder. Ha Seung-moo) in 2012 declared itself an authentic historical succession of Scottish Presbyterian John Knox.
The Korean Protestant belief in God or known as “Hananim”, meaning “God in heaven”. Their conception of the supreme God was presiding over the affairs of heaven and earth, and controlling the fate of humans. Contrary to Shamanism beliefs, which include but are not limited to seeking out a shaman for material wishes, longevity, health, male births and wealth -- Christians believe that God will supply their needs while remaining truthful, obedient and faithful to God. However, Korean Protestants were obligated to incorporate some aspects of shamanistic rituals. [7]
The belief of God also was the creator and sustainer of the universe, who has the power to liberate from suffering, healing, provide salvation or giving consolation. Similarly to Korean Shamanism, shamans were able to cast out evil spirits and cure diseases, just as how the teachings of Jesus Christ has done. [7]
All of these churches have the same confessional basis the Apostle Creed and the Westminster Confession.
Korean Presbyterians have many outreach programs. Many are very conservative, some are liberal. There are close connections with the United States and Canadian Presbyterian churches.
Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) was a Protestant denomination based in South Korea; it is currently separated into many branches.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong) is an Evangelical Presbyterian denomination, which is the biggest Christian church in South Korea. The headquarters of the church is in Seoul, South Korea.
The Conservative Presbyterian Church in Korea was formed in 1963 when Pastor Kim Oh-Sung gathered 102 congregations to form a new denomination. Choi Sung-Gon became the moderator. Their conviction was that the neo-orthodox theology was the main reason of the division between the Presbyterian Church in Korea (TongHap) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong). The conservative Calvinism was propagated in this new church. For 5–6 years the church was inactive. Graduates from SungHwa seminary — Cho Won-Kuk, Kim Duk-Sun, and Chung In-Young — met in 1972 and succeeded in restoring the denomination. When HapDong divided in 1979, many ministers and about 200 congregations joined non-mainline churches of HapDong. Only 22 stayed in BoSu. In 2004 it had 12,779 members and 110 congregations. It affirms the Westminster Confession and the Apostles Creed.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (JeongTongChongHap) was founded by Pastor Park In-Soo. Later he joined the JongHap Presbyterian church. In 1983 he and his supporters founded the JeongTongChongHap. The Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession are the recognised standards. In 2004 it had 60,000 members and 120 congregations.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongJeongShin) is a Reformed denomination in South Korea. It subscribes to the Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession. In 2004 the church had 112,275 members and 186 congregations.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (DongShin) was founded in 1972 as a result of a split in the Presbyterian Church in Korea (DokNoHoe). Two groups in the DokNoHpe opposed each other under the leadership of Kim Chang-Gil and Chung Dae-Shin. The DaeShin grew, but suffered further divisions. Bang-Bo Shin and GaeHyukJeongTong, and Presbyterian Church in Korea (BoSu) also separated. DongShin become a small denomination largely in and around Seoul. The Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession are the generally accepted standards. In 2004 there was 5,264 members and 56 congregations.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongJinRi) was founded in 1980, but the origin goes back to Pastor Hur Kwang-Jae, who founded the Gospel Seminary in 1976. This Seminary become the nucleus of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (BokUm). In 1979 a break occurred in the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong), and they contacted the non-mainline part. But they soon separated, to maintain their own character. Finally in 1980 the HapDongJinRi was founded. It subscribes the Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession. In 2004, the denomination had 44,747 in 397 congregations. Later Jan Jong-Hyun a pastor with his church separated and joined the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongJeongTong).
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongYeChong) is a Reformed and Presbyterian denomination in South Korea. Under the leadership of Rev. Chun Byung-Hun, Rev. Choi Young-Su and Lee Sang-Yun the denomination was founded in 1988 at Seoul YeChin Church. In 2004 there was 32,178 members in 65 congregations served by 70 ordained ministers the church had 7 Presbyteries and a General assembly. It subscribes the Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea is a Reformed Presbyterian denomination in South Korea. The church was constituted in 1985, when it split off the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongJinRi). The first moderator was Pastor Lee Geun-Su. The Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession are the official standards. In 2004 there was 11,765 members in 100 congregations.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea was separated from the Presbyterian Church in Korea in 1993. It has Presbyterian church government.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea HapDongBoSu I was created in 1974 as a division in the Presbyterian Church in Korea (DongShin). The next year, BoSu I adopted a new constitution. For many years BoSu welcomed pastors from many other denominations. In recent year 60 churches withdrew and joined other denominations. In 2004 it had more than 10,700 members and 92 congregations with 89 ordained clergy. The Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession are adopted.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea HapDongBoSu II was result of a split in the Presbyterian Church in Korea HapDongBoSu I. It had participated in the union movement to restore the unity of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong) but the attempt failed and it became an independent denomination. The HapDongBoSu I is a conservative Calvinist denomination opposed to both the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches. It belongs to the larger conservative denominations and runs nine seminaries and ten Bible schools. It has Presbyterian church government, the standards are the Westminster Confession and the Apostles Creed. In 2004, the church had 669,346 members in 1,300 congregations.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongYeChong I) was formed when 4 Presbyteries split from the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongBoSu) under the leadership of Pastor Dogo Bong-Mun. The denomination subscribes the Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession. In 2004 it had 2,260 members in 45 local congregations and 66 ordained ministers.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (GaeHyukHapDong I) is a Presbyterian denomination in South Korea. It adheres to the Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession. In 2004 it had 24,000 members in 179 congregations in 7 Presbyteries served by 193 ordained clergy. The main body is the General assembly.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (GaeHyukHapDong II) is a Reformed denomination in South Korea. In 2004 it had 13,272 members in 125 congregations and 171 ordained ministers. It adheres to the Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDongGaeHyuk) was formed when a split occurred in the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong) it was the third non-mainline Presbyterian denomination, the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Chungham) or (HapDongBoSu). In 1984 it adopted the current name. The Apostles Creed and Westminster Confession are the standards. In 2004 it had 84,000 members in 1,200 congregations and 1,250 ordained ministers. It had 26 Presbyteries and a General assembly.
The Presbyterian Church in Korea (GaeHyukHapDong III) is a Reformed Presbyterian denomination in South Korea. In 2004 it had 4,065 members and 23 congregations. The denomination adheres to the Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession.
The Evangelical Reformed Church of Colombia, is a Protestant Reformed denomination, founded in Colombia in 1987 by Kim Wui -Dong, missionary of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap) and dissident Presbyterian churches of the Presbyterian Church in Colombia.
The Bangladesh Presbyterian Church (BPC) is a conservative Reformed denomination Evangelical in Bangladesh. It was organized in 2015, in Dhaka, by Rev. Kyung-Yeop Lee, missionary sent to the country by Presbyterian Church in Korea (TongHap).