손양원 목사의 설교 분석

Abstract

Rev. Yang-won Sohn thought that the way of preserving the pure pulpit was to preach the Bible-oriented gospel. He felt that to preach human ideas is the same as defiling the pulpit. The examples of the abusing the pulpit was the sermons during the latter period of Japanese occupation of Korea. He believed that such abuse of the pulpit was exercising a seriously negative influence on the Korean church of his days. Plainness was another feature of Rev. Sohn's sermons; he preached in words which can be easily understood by all classes of people regardless of their education and age. The theology of his sermons expresses the traditional evangelicalism. Majority of Rev. Sohn's sermons were pastoral for the purpose of bring up the people spiritually and strengthening their faith. The most prominent of his sermons are those on prayer, evangelism, and consolation of the leprosy patients. The second category of Sohn's most notable sermons are those that contain prophetic messages and the third, on martyrdom. Homiletically, there is not much in Sohn's sermons which is excellent. We cannot find any profound exposition of the biblical texts in his sermons. We cannot find any excellence neither in his style nor in his logics. Applying the modern standard of Korean pulplit, his sermons give an impression that his sermons are superficial and rudimentary. Neverltheless, in some of his sermons we can feel his pure spirituality and extraordinary piety. Especially, his sermons on prayer are powerful and moving. In his sermons which call for the complete devotion for Christ are found the theology of the Cross or the theology of suffering. Particularly in his sermons on martyrdom during the Korean War, we find his unusual spirituality. There we realize that his martyrdom was not just an accident.