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G od of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace: Reflection from an A sian and K orean Church Perspective
Author(s) -
Hong In Sik
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international review of mission
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.118
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 1758-6631
pISSN - 0020-8582
DOI - 10.1111/irom.12006
Subject(s) - economic justice , shalom , sociology , faith , theodicy , just society , environmental ethics , theology , politics , law , political science , philosophy
The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches ( WCC ) will be held in Busan, Republic of K orea, from 30 O ctober to 8 N ovember 2013, on the theme “God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace.” Having recognized the importance and urgency of the WCC theme, I would like to reflect on, and review it especially from the perspective of the A sian and K orean church. I suggest that we rethink the questions of:1. Hunger, Poverty, and Illness: Justice and Shalom . There is an urgent need for an ecumenical programme in A sia, and it ought to be focused on justice and shalom. 2. Cultures and Religions: The challenge for A sian C hristianity is to find an authentic A sian identity for the sake of the gospel. 3. Ecological Destruction . What do we expect from the 10 th WCC Assembly? (1) A deepening of the topic justice : Discussing life and peace through the lens of justice; (2) A deepening of the economic‐political perspective : Critical analysis of the neo‐liberal economic system through theology and C hristian faith in order to warn of it's the satanic character; (3) Recognition of the new Pentecostal and charismatic force in C hristianity: Deepening its study and reflecting on potential theological reductionism; (4) Discussion of an inclusive rather than exclusive ecumenical mission : From monologue to dialogue. We continue our call, our action, and our reflection in order to participate in God's mission that people may have justice, life, and peace. This is God's shalom, so that we can fully enjoy the feast of the church worldwide, celebrating the 10th meeting of the WCC in the K orean city of Busan. As the church in K orea and A sia, we hope that the festival will be an opportunity to reaffirm that another world is possible.