Fall 2004/Pasadena
ST532
Rhee
ST532: CURRENT ISSUES IN THE KOREAN CHURCH. Jung S. Rhee.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is designed to provide Korean students with theological
analysis and assessment of the current theological, ethical, and cultural
issues in the Korean Church including the immigrant churches in America, such
as secularization, fundamentalism, religious pluralism, mysticism, woman in
office, ecumenism, homosexuality, church growth, pastor succession and worship
renewal. Also, it aims for them to be acquainted with a history of Korean
theology as well as Korean religions that is helpful for in-depth understanding
of such issues.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Young Korean pastors who are educated in foreign institutions are
mostly confronted with a difficulty to adjust to the Korean churches due to the
poor knowledge and proper discernment of some current issues that are sensitive
and decisive in the Korean churches. This course will help them to understand
those issues prior to meeting such situations and successfully respond to them
in their Korean ministry.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This course will consist of lectures and discussions in bilingual
manner, i.e., English and Korean due to the lingual variety of Korean students
at Fuller. The course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Han, Soong Hong. A History of Korean Theology. 2 vols.
Jangshin University Press, 1996.
- Hertig, Young Lee. Cultural Tug of War: The Korean Immigrant Family and
Church in Transition. Abingdon Press, 2002.
- Kim, Myung Hyuk. Diagnosis of the Current Issues in the Korean
Church. Kyoujang, 1998.
- Korean Society of Oriental Philosophy, ed. Ontology and Anthropology of
Oriental Philosophy. Yonsei University Press, 1982.
- Kwon, Ho Youn, ed. Korean Americans and Their Religious Pilgrims and
Missionaries from a Different Shore. Penn State University Press, 2001.
- Lee, Sang Hyun, ed. Korean American Ministry: A Resource Book.
PCUSA, 1993.
- Rhee, Jung S. Secularization and Sanctification: A Study of Karl Barth's
Doctrine of Sanctification and Its Contextual Application to the Korean
Church. Free University Press, 1995. Chap 4 and 5.
- _________. Christianity in the Secularized Age. Ire Books,
2000.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Class attendance and active participation in discussions.
- 1500 pages of reading from the required reading list.
- Two papers on two selected issues.
PREREQUISITES:
- Korean (listening only, reading or writing ability not
required).
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.