PASTOR KYU-OH CHUNG: INTEGRATING FAITH, EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IN KOREAN PROTESTANTISM

Authors: Dr. Min-Soo Kang, Dr. Jeong-In Park, Dr. In-Seok Seo, Dr. Kang-Hyun Kim, Soo-Young Jeong, Dr. Ho-Woog Kim, Dr. Moo-Jin Jeong & Dr. Jun-Ki Chung

ABSTRACT

This paper critically explores the life and influence of Pastor Kyu-Oh Chung, a seminal figure in Korean Presbyterianism, who embodied Reformed theology through his ministry, leadership, academic contributions, and socio-political engagement, with a particular focus on his advocacy for justice within the broader socio-political context of Korea. Chung’s 92-year journey (1914– 2006) is assessed across five dimensions i.e., as a lay leader, pastor, influential religious figure, academic administrator, and family head. His influence went far beyond simply reviving congregations with powerful sermons; it also included his pivotal role in influencing the direction of theological education, particularly as the first president of Kwangshin University, where he established the foundation for a new generation of scholars and leaders. This study aims to address the lack of research on Chung’s impact, focusing on the Japanese colonial period, the Korean War, and the subsequent military dictatorship era.

Keywords: Korean Presbyterian Church, Kwangshin University, Kyu-Oh Chung, Reformed theology, socio-political engagement

REFERENCES

  • Byun, N. (2024). Water Walls on the Left and Right. Seoul: Qumran Publishing.
  • Calvin, J. (1960). Institutes of the Christian Religion, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
  • Cho, B. (2006). Systematic Theology and Pneumatology Studies. Gwangju: Gospel Culture Press. Chung, J. (1996). Puritan History. Seoul: Word of Life Press.
  • Chung, J. (1998). Evangelical Movement. Gwangju: Gwangshin University Press. Chung, J. (2004). The   Spirituality of Desert Fathers. Seoul: Eunseong Press.
  • Chung, J. (2009). The Historical Significance of the Unity Between the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Hapdong and Gaehyuk). The Unity Movement of the Korean Presbyterian Church. Seoul: Saehan Press, 162–175.
  • Chung, J. (2015). The 26-Year History of the Reformed General Assembly. Gwangju, South Korea: Kwangshin University Press.
  • Chung, J., & Kim, H. (2017). Hwasun Jungbu 110 Years Church History. Gwangju, South Korea: Simmian Press.      Retrieved from https://www.kidok.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=109941.
  • Chung, K. O. (1984). By the Grace of God, I Am What I Am. Seoul: Korean Evangelical Literature Society.
  • Chung, K. O. (1991). A History of Korean Presbyterianism (2 Vols). Seoul: Korean Evangelical Literature Society.
  • Chung, K. O. (1994). An Exposition of the Apostles’ Creed. Seoul: Korean Evangelical Literature Society.
  • CMC (Chung and Moon’s Children). (1994). The Children of the Parsonage. Seoul: Hanbul Cultural Publishing.
  • Frame, J. (2015). A History of Western Philosophy and Theology. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.
  • Gadamer, H.-G. (1975). Truth and Method. London: Bloomsbury Academic.
  • Goldsmith, M. (2007). What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful. New York: Hyperion Press.
  • Hattie, J. (2008). Visible Learning. London: Routledge.
  • Jeong, K. (1994). Pastor Jung Kyu-Oh, the Preacher. Children of the Parsonage. Seoul: Hanbulmunhwa Publishing.
  • Jeong, M., Chung, Y., Han, W., Lee, J., Kim, H., & Seo, I. (2021). Political Consciousness of Early Korean Mission Schools (1907–1937). Journal of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, 5(3), 756–769.
  • Jeong, Y. (2022). A Study on the History of Schisms and Unification Movements in the Korean Presbyterian Church. Ph.D. Dissertation, Baekseok University.
  • Jung, H. (2020). 15 Years of the Presbyterian Church Union: Reflecting on the Present and Building the Future. Kidok News, October 23, 2020. Retrieved on September 7, 2024 from https://www.kidok.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=208631.
  • Kim, H., & Chung, J. (2021). A Study of the Emergence of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Korea. Journal of Positive Psychology & Wellbeing, 5(3), 770–779. Available at https://www.journalppw.com/index.php/jppw/article/view/573.
  • Kim, K., & Chung, J. (2023). The Public Roles of Early Korean Protestant Christianity and Future Prospects. European Journal of Science and Theology, 19 (3), 57–72.
  • Kim, K., & Chung, J. (2024). Public Theology and Its Application: A Case Study of Goryeoin Ministry in South Korea. The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society, 15(1), 57–73.
  • Kim, N. (2007). Hae Won: Rev. Kyu-Oh Chung. Seoul: Saehan Press.
  • Kim, S. (2005). Why did the Hapdong and Gaehyuk (Reformed) denominations split? Retrieved on September 7, 2024 from https://www.newspower.co.kr/3827.
  • Kim, S., & Chung, J. (2013). Modern Church History. Seoul: Gibbeum Madang Press.
  • Kim, S., & Chung, J. (2014). John Milton’s Particularism & Universalism. Seoul: Gibbeum Madang Press.
  • Koh, K. (2000). Exploring the Institutes of the Christian Religion. Seoul: UBF Press.
  • Koh, K. (2004). The Logic of Calvin’s Theology. Seoul: UBF Press.
  • Lee, D. (2016). Theological Conflicts and Division of the Korean Presbyterian Church in the Post- Liberation Era. Korean Christianity and History, 44(0), 103–168. https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/landing/article.kci?arti_id=ART002090478.
  • Lee, J., Bak, C., Jang, J., & Kim, H. (2021). South Korea’s Response to the Myanmar Military Coup in 2021. The Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 27 (3), 1243-1250.
  • Muller, R. (2012). Calvin and the Reformed Tradition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
  • Park, J., Seok, J., & Chung, J. (2024). The Spiritual Fruits of Desert Fathers (2). International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 7 (8), 4054-4065.
  • Rheem, S., & Chung, J. (2024). The Spiritual Fruits of the Desert Fathers (1). International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 7 (3), 1360-1367.
  • Ricoeur, P. (1984). Time and Narrative. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  • Ricoeur, P. (2006). Memory, History, Forgetting. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  • Seo, I., & Chung, J. (2021). The Importance of Mount Jiri Mission Site Conservation In South Korea. NVEO   NATURAL VOLATILES & ESSENTIAL OILS, 8(6), 4965-4977. https://www.nveo.org/index.php/journal/article/view/4371.
  • So, J. (2010). Causes of Division, WCC Problems, Historical Development. Retrieved on September 7, 2024, from https://blog.naver.com/kjyoun24/60100306918.
  • Whitmore, J. (2009). Coaching for Performance. Boston, MA: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.