한국교회 견신례 교육의 대안적 방향에 관한 연구

Abstract

Purpose of study: The purpose of this essay is to seek an alternative direction for confirmation education within the context of Korean Protestant Church, addressing the following issues: 1) Confusion in the use of terminology on confirmation, 2) Superficial understanding of confirmation, and the absence or privatization of confirmation theology, 3) Formalized confirmation education based on the concept of rites of passage, and 4) The absence of denominationally structured confirmation education. Research content and method: To achieve this purpose, this essay attempts to foster an intradisciplinary and interactive dialogue on confirmation through a biblical, historical, and theological approach. Biblically, confirmation is to be understood as the unity of the baptism of water and the baptism of Holy Spirit, associated with the consecration of the baptized as royal priests through the baptism of Holy Spirit. Historically, as a part of the rite of Christian initiation, confirmation was a unified rite that has undergone a process of separation and reunification. Theologically, the rite of confirmation affirms the covenant of the Triune God given in baptism and is positioned between baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Conclusions and Suggestions: In conclusion, this essay suggests an alternative form of Confirmation education that is oriented towards the following objectives: 1) Education that forms the identity given in the baptismal covenant, 2) Education that reflects characteristics of both baptism and the Lord’s Supper, 3) Education that integrates the Bible, doctrine, and life of confirmand and, 4) Education based on an organic educational system.