Open AccessThe Church in Korea: Persecution and Subsequent Growth
Author(s) -
Sang Gyoo Lee
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
unio cum christo
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2473-8476
pISSN - 2380-5412
DOI - 10.35285/ucc1.1-2.2015.art16
Subject(s) - persecution , prosperity , context (archaeology) , church growth , politics , religious persecution , communism , history , religious studies , christianity , political science , ancient history , law , philosophy , archaeology
Persecution of Christians in Korea, like that of Christians in ancient Rome, reveals that Christian teaching clashes with surrounding cultures. A survey of the persecutions of Christians in Korea in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (first of Catholic Christians, then by Japanese, and finally under communism) reveals both political and religious factors. Yet, recalling Tertullian, the author reminds us that persecution is seen to result in the growth, purification, and strengthening of the church. Finally, the author recalls the amazing church growth in Korean history and concludes with a warning about the danger faced by the church in the context of economic prosperity.