김교신의 생명 이해

Abstract

Kim Kyo-shin's understanding of life can be summarized as follows. Firstly, about creation: He thought that creation in the Bible was thorough and complete, but in this scientific era it had to be explained by scientific methods in detail. The problem of time and process in creation can be solved through a paradigm shift between theology and science. If unsolved problems still remain, we have to consider a time 'gap' between 'the Bible era' and today. Secondly, about life: His understanding of life had threefold meanings. First of all, all lives are equal. Animals and plants have the same value in their lives as human life. Secondly, each life has its own function and mission. Therefore, it is impossible to rank their value by a single measure. Lastly, the value of lives comes from ‘hopes of resurrection’ which already dwell in them. If we consider history as life, we can predict that in suffering and hardship it can revive someday. Thirdly, about nature and environment. He emphasized natural values. Natural is better than artificial, rural than urban, because the original state of nature receives peace from the Creator. God, as a geographer, pays attention to the relationship between environment and human beings, and between natural conditions and historical situations. That is, geography and history have such a close connection with each other that we have to consider nature and history, environment and human together.