한국기독교의 현상(現狀)에 대한 역사적 검토 - 사회참여 특성에 따른 시기구분을 중심으로 -

Abstract

Today, the Lee Myoung-bak administration is estimated as christian government again, since the first republic of Korea. But this image is a factor lead to anti-christianity emotion, on the contrary. Social recognition on the Korean christianity has not given positive estimation on the status quo of Korea christianity. The Purpose of this paper is to investigate on the status quo of Korean christianity centered on division of period depended on the specific character of participation in public affairs. Early Korean christianity has received christianity as not religious dimension but ideology of political power. Passing through the great revival movement 1907, Korean christianity was transformed to emphasize the individual inner matter rather than social problem. To be sure, through the 3ㆍ1 Independent Movement, we can find some case of a part motivation of faith turning to the national energy, but main stream was focused on individual or hereafter faith. This tendency continued historical situation as minority's resistance and majority's adaptation in the age of sufferings caused by demand of Shinto shrine worship in the last years of the Japanese reign. But this minority's resistance that made faith-based motivation was shown powerfully political resistance. After the Emancipation of August 1945, Korean Christianity formed ‘christian government' with special benefit through the age of American military government and the course of founding Rhee Seung-man administration. The close relationship of church and state which made in this process, was continued in the last years of Rhee Seung-man regime in spite of the dictatorship and unrighteousness. This disposition was unchanged in the Park Chung-hee administration. Minority progressive christians came forward to full-scale democratization movement for the chance of ‘constitution amendment of election for the third term(三選改憲)' in 1969. They made 'Minjung Theology' together with current of world theology and displayed theological propheticality. But, in this course, the trouble and struggle between the conservative majority christian who striving for the quantitative growth and the progressive minority christian positive participating to the society were deepened. This progressive minority christian powers were participated immediately in the front of political affairs through the age of Kim Dae-jung and No Mu-hyun administration. But, in this process, they lost propheticality at that time of democratization movement and social confidence. On the other side, conservative majority christians got an opportunity to make the next term administration through the struggle for political power and the concentration for against campaign. But Korean christianity in the age of Lee Myung-bak administration was criticized by Korean society more and more because of it made troubles much more. As a whole, it is impossible of we cannot conclude that the Korean protestant christianity at the present is received the lowest estimation in the rebel of recognition of general society in Korea. However, the Korean christianity has a historical heritage that leaded suffering national history undertake together with the corss. Also, the faith energy of people christian is still powerful. Also, the Korean christianity has a tradition of prophetical theology that lighted on the dark situation of Korean history. And, little by little, an atmosphere intend to conversion of thinking, reform sense of value, rectification of target is perceived. Also, the Korean christianity is conscious of the mission of cooperation missionary work with Japanese and Chinese christianity as well as newly discovering the role of Korean christianity in the world christianity. This is the imperishably affirmative hope and task.