미군정기 교육주도세력의 기독교적 배경 연구: 백낙준, 김활란, 오천석을 중심으로

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the Christian background of education-led forces during the U.S. military administration, focusing on Paik Nak-jun, Kim Hwal-ran, and Oh Cheon-seok. I tried to find out what Christianity meant and played a role for them during the late Joseon Dynasty, Japanese colonial era, and the U.S. military administration. This study collected data from their autobiographies. The educational implications of this study are as follows. The first positive effect of Christianity is that Christianity provided them with educational opportunities. The second positive effect of Christianity is that missionaries served as shields for Koreans from Japanese interference and oppression. The third positive effect of Christianity is that Koreans were able to form power and exert influence through Christian organizations. However, Christianity did not play only such a positive role. The first of the negative effects of Christianity is the policy of separation of politics and religion. This was a factor that made Korean Christians conform to Japanese colonial rule, which is an aggressor and unfair political power. The second negative role of Christianity is that the elite group formed through Christian organizations showed the same line and led to pro-Japanese and anti-national acts during the Japanese invasion war . The third negative role of Christianity is that it accepted Christianity in the same sense as civilization, enlightenment, and democracy. It was very meaningful that Paik Nak-jun, Kim Hwal-ran, and Oh Cheon-seok were able to do many activities and exert their influence with a sense of mission as educators through Christianity. However, as religious people, individuals should not simply follow religious lines blindly, but should reflect more deeply. A century later, Christian educational institutions and Christian educators should be able to understand and reflect on the meaning and role of Christianity in the history of modern and contemporary education in Korea and make developmental efforts for the nation and country beyond a specific religion.