칼빈의 교회론이 한국교회에 주는 의미

Abstract

The ecclesiology of Calvin, in its doctrinal aspect, is ‘the place where God’s word is preached rightly, where the Sacraments are performed correctly as the body of Christ. But when his ecclesiology is regarded as apologetic, the church should be the place where discipline is carried out in a trustworthy and sincere way. Here Calvin criticized the Mass, which in the Catholic church was focused on man’s worship of Mary, the Saints and even on holy treasures instead of God. He pointed out the unbiblical theory of salvation through the merit of the human being. He also criticized the seven Sacraments, the clergy’s selling of indulgences, and the false church politics and said they were harmful for the Christian faith. The remedies, presented by Calvin were rooted in God’s Word and on the habits and the standards of the early church. The foundation of the church is the Word of God. The ground of the church is based not on human judgment, the authority of the pastor, but on the apostles and the instruction of the prophets. But the position of the preacher is important: when the Word of God is preached effectively, the role of the Holy Spirit is evident. What is said by Calvin regarding the sacraments? It is one way to address our ignorance and dullness and another way to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an outward sign by which the Lord seals on our consciences the promises of his good will toward us, seal in the writing on our hearts and reflected in the mirror of our lives in which we see the abundant grace of God in order to sustain the weakness of our faith. Calvin believed that regular discipline sustained the life of the church, just as it is needed also in the society, in the family and in the school. What is the purpose of the discipline? 1. Those who lead a filthy and infamous life may not be called Christians 2. The good are to separate themselves from the wicked, so as not to be corrupted by the constant company of the wicked, as commonly happens 3. Those overcome by shame for their baseness begin to repent. And he said that such severity as is joined with a ‘sprit of gentleness’(Gal. 6:1)befits the church. The problems of the Korean church, reflected in the view of Calvin, are: 1.the Korean church’s emphasis on love rather than justice means it becomes insensitive to sin 2. Christians are not well educated in the church. They are baptized without pre-formation 3. Churches are evaluated by quantity rather than quality 4. churches focus on trends and special events rather than worship in the church 5. church congregations seek to live Christian lives to gain recognition from the pastors rather than from God. When we establish the Korean church on Calvin’s ecclesiology,where: 1. God’s word is preached rightly 2. the Sacraments are performed correctly as the body of Christ and 3. the performance of discipline is done sincerely, then church members will be satisfied in their Christian lives and God will be pleased with this and He will raise up the Korean church rightly and bless it without ceasing.