KJC Korea
Journal Central

This study explores the way of Korean reunification through the story of the reunification of Germany. Looking at the side effects have been obtained from a radical German reunification, the problem of two Koreas is the inherent mutual hostile emotion and disparate mind system. In the course of the discussions of the unification of financial equalization, political and social integration and cultural system, Koreans must put up with the quality of the changes. In understanding and engagement, Korean people should develop solidarity as partners jointly that is the initiation of the change of both Koreas. Considered the reunification of North and South Korea will be long and bumpy road. Therefore, internal integration, like German, is necessary for both Koreas based on the participation of all members of Koreans as they develop the political and economic integration as well as the mental and psychological integration.

Peace has been an issue related to faith in the Christian tradition as much as it has been an permanent issue for humanity. The reason why peace issue has been on the rise is because suffering inflicted by violence was transferred upon the weak, mostly due to power struggles. In relation to the issue of violence, nonviolent pacifism and realistic approach were traditionally proposed as alternatives in the Christian world view, The nonviolent pacifism, resisting with body the evil reality hiding behind the human conscience or human nature, appeals to the peace and love so that violence is no longer reproduced. This research examines the theoretical aspect of ‘Christian Realism’ in relation to the understanding of realism in general. Three aspects of the theory of Realism will be examined. Firstly, the concept of ‘Realism’ will be analyzed from the political ethics’ perspective. Secondly, ‘Christian Realism’ will also be analyzed and examined in line with Augustinian tradition. Thirdly, in the conclusion, Christian ethical alternative will be proposed. Thus, this research explores the meaning of Christian realism in terms of the issue of peace.

In East Asian thought, there is a Chinese idiom called “Gyungchunaein(敬天愛 人)” which is comparable to “Love of God and neighbor” which is the core doctrine of the Bible. This article analyzes the idea of Tasan(茶山) Jung Yak-yong(丁 若鏞), who made Sosasangje(昭事上帝) which is similar to the meaning of 'love of God and neighbor'. Former researches on Tasan had been focusing on the idea of 'Sangje(上帝)' rather than 'Sosa(昭事).', However, scholars have recently emphasized on the idea of 'Sosa(昭事)'. Thus, this article focuses on 'Sosa' which is an act rather than 'Sangje' which is the object of 'Sosa'. Tasan says that Sosajihak(昭事之學) is Gunjajihak(君子之學). In other words, Sosajihak does not simply mean a religious dimension, but the discipline that deals with the leader's way of Sachin and Sacheon. Based on this ethical foundation, this research makes a connection between Tasan and Christian ethics.

This study explores the concepts and core competencies of Christian Global Citizenship Education and examines the application of Christian Global Citizenship Education for young children. The core competence of the Christian Global Citizenship was derived from non-normality, worldliness, responsibility (as light and salt), love (hospitality), and practice. These five core competencies are composed of three dimensions. One dimension is Christianity identity, non-normality and worldliness, second dimension is love (hospitality), and third dimension is practice. Christian Global Citizenship Education for young children is developed from the third dimension to the first dimension by the developmental characteristics of young children. Therefore, by observing and learning the third dimensional characteristics from both the parents and teachers, the young children can develop towards the second dimensional characteristics which is love and hospitality, and finally moving towards the first dimension to build an identity as Christian Global Citizen.

This study points out a fundamental shortcoming in neoliberal phenomenon- based epistemology, i.e., its failure to conceive human nature from a holistic viewpoint. In a society where neoliberalism forms the basis of the economic system, the perception of humans as an incarnation of individual desires may be valid within the logic of social sciences but falls short of promoting social integration and co-existence. In order to solve the problems with the existence characterized by cut-throat competition driven by desires, one must analyze René Descartes’ conception of the modern subject—a concept which Hayek has deemed as problematic. Then, this study explores an alternative to the problems of neoliberal individualism through the works of Paul Ricoeur, a Protestant religious philosopher. I start with accepting Ricoeur’s sense of the selfhood that cannot be denied from the modern subject. My discussion then clarifies the undeniable selfhood within the modern subject, whose existence is defined as “cogito” (thinking), followed by my argument that ego, as the basis of a thinking subject, is a foundation for striving toward a good life and a just system.

This paper explores the Christian New Women's hybrid subject formed by her own “speech” in modern Korean protestantism. Some Korean protestant women made a modern speech as a member of Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Mission(SVM) from the 1920s to the 1930s. SVM was a forerunner of foreign mission bodies of North America from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, famous for a motto of “The Evangelization of the World in This Generation.” This organization gave a chance to Korean New Women to make a public speech in North America by inviting them. Aa a result they played the role of native informant, becoming a hybrid subject. This paper tried to explore the characteristics of the hybridity.

This research studies how Amish people have established a traditional, pure life of faith, and a primeval lifestyle based on that faith. First, Amish people's worship style has a profound meaning as communitarian as they have pursued community-centered worship services. Second, the Amish community's organization shows an excellent role model to Korean church as such that Amish diocese is normally composed of 25~40 families, and there are three types of duties -- composed of Bishop, Deacon, and Minister -- who are supposed to be chosen by drawing lots. The third point of the Amish community's characteristics is that their business system and work ethics are based on the ideas of humility and purity. Lastly, the Amish community has been able to overcome a history of hardship with patience as they have been trying to communicate with their neighboring communities.

The problem of disgust, which is prevalent in Korean society, is not solely the Korean Christianity’s responsibility. Nonetheless, the Korean Christianity will have to be restored to the messenger of the Good News, not the main culprit of fake news, through seriously thinking about this phenomenon of disgust. This paper contains concern about this. This study focuses on the patterns, activities, and motives of extreme right-wing Protestants who have attended Taegeukgi rallies. In particular, it analyzes their disgust projected on ‘North Korean sympathizing gay,’ a recently emerging object of their criticism, thereby discussing about how the Korean Church can solve this problem. As a clue to the solution of the problem, this paper suggests the role of Martha Nussbaum’s ‘judicious spectator.’

This article explores the meaning of work and labor from a feminist theological perspective. In addition, it articulates the relevance of basic income in improving the evaluation of work and promoting equality. In this neo-liberal economic system of our contemporary world, human beings become unstable in an undesirable labor system, resulting in a decrease in labor productivity. Moreover, the distribution of output through labor is biased, intensifying the disparity between the rich and poor and accelerating inequality. The introduction of this basic income cannot solve social inequality at once; however, such an experimental approach to feminist economics can make us examine and evaluate our labor as a whole, reconstruct the value and meaning of labor, satisfy the need for recognition as well as the definition of distribution, and contribute to restoring the essential meaning of work and labor.

Since humanity lives in a social system, human beings are ethical beings that should bear responsibility for all the interactions that take place in social relationships. It is useful that all ethics are social ethics. If you attach Christianity to it, it will become Christian social ethics. The Korean Protestant Church directly or indirectly participated in social problems in history. By doing so, this research proposes alternatives and directions for solutions. What is noteworthy here is how Christians have participated in the economic issue. This study evaluates this issue based on the Christian social and ethical aspects from the acceptance of Protestantism to the present till now. Finally, it would be a necessary task for Korean Protestant church today to suggest future plans.