마르틴 루터의 사회복지 배경과 국가 주도형 사회복지 제도의 실현

Abstract

It is often said that the Churches of Korea have no future. For, whereas the Church should constantly adapt itself for the changes of human life among the fluctuation of history and culture, they failed to adjust themselves to the historical and cultural changes and to offer a new paradigm for the changing reality. Now is the time when the Churches of Korea should put their main effort into the social welfare that the modern culture requires. For the purpose, we attempt to learn a lesson from Reformer Martin Luther. The doctrinal failure of the Medieval Church at the time of Luther can be summarized mainly into 2 points. First, the concept of ‘good work-righteousness,’ that is, the belief that one can be saved through charity and merits was predominant. Second, Matthew 25 was literally interpreted, so that the poor were advocated on the basis of the thesis ‘The poor are the treasure of the Church’ even to the extent that they were identified with Jesus. As a result of such an interpretative error, the Medieval age was ravaged by the increase of beggars and vagrants. Luther rediscovered the ‘justification by faith,’ Then he insisted, “All good works (charity) without faith are idolatry.” According to him, whoever has faith naturally does good works, which are manifested as service and love for neighbors. Luther defined the Church as the community sharing commūniō with Christ. He understood commūniō as ‘sharing one’s own wealth with one another’ and ‘bearing the burden of others respectively.’ Luther changed it into the social welfare system led by the state. Moreover, he himself drew up the Leisnig ordinance for the poor and those refusing to work, enlightening beggars and vagrants, and expected their rectification and decrease by providing the common fund. It is the time for the Churches of Korea to serve their neighbors and societies and to share with them in accordance with the command of the Lord, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luther is asking Church ministers to practice sharing. We can learn a great lesson from Luther.