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Towards Ecological Conversion - The Korean Protestant Church and the Theology of the Pain of God

  • The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics
  • Abbr : 기사윤
  • 2025, (61), pp.387~418
  • Publisher : The Society Of Korean Christian Social Ethics
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology
  • Received : March 15, 2025
  • Accepted : April 12, 2025
  • Published : April 30, 2025

HONG CHANGHYUN 1

1장로회신학대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper critically examines how the ecclesiology of the Korean Protestant church may have contributed to the escalating climate crisis. Despite existing creation care initiatives, it argues that a church-centered theology obscures the organic relationship between the church and all creatures, undermining ecological responsibility. The analysis focuses on three critical aspects: (1) a materialistic orientation that equates divine blessing with material acquisition, reinforcing consumerist tendencies; (2) an anthropocentric soteriology that severs ethical responsibility toward non-human life; and (3) a privatized form of faith that cultivates ecological apathy within the Earth community. To address these theological limitations, the paper proposes an ecological conversion of the church, drawing upon Kazoh Kitamori’s ‘Theology of the Pain of God’. This theological framework emphasizes com-passion for the broken order of God’s creation, reconciliation through living-together enabled by Christ’s cross, and sym-poiesis through the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work. The study ultimately envisions a renewed ecological ecclesiology in which the Korean church embraces ecological justice and sustainable coexistence with creation.

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