@article{ART003378972},
author={Lee Jaewook},
title={Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance},
journal={The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics},
issn={1229-8387},
year={2026},
number={65},
pages={511-544}
TY - JOUR
AU - Lee Jaewook
TI - Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance
JO - The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics
PY - 2026
VL - null
IS - 65
PB - The Society Of Korean Christian Social Ethics
SP - 511
EP - 544
SN - 1229-8387
AB - This study critically examines whether the political engagement of contemporary Korean Protestantism rests on consistent theological principles, employing Abraham Kuyper’s concepts of sphere sovereignty and the right of resistance as its analytical framework. Two contrasting cases are selected: the government’s quarantine measures restricting worship during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) and the emergency martial law declared on December 3, 2024. The theological discourse mobilized in each case is compared through primary sources, including official denominational statements, academic forum proceedings, and the ruling of the Constitutional Court.
The analysis reveals a clear asymmetry. Major conservative denominations and umbrella organizations invoked sphere sovereignty swiftly and forcefully against restrictions on worship, yet remained silent or withheld judgment before a crisis of the constitutional order. This study argues that structural factors alone cannot justify the difference, which stems rather from an inadequate theological grasp of the accountability inherent in sphere sovereignty and the universality of the right of resistance. On this basis, it proposes three principles for a Korean reconstruction of Kuyper’s thought: the universal extension of the subjects of sphere sovereignty, the consistent application of the right of resistance, and the institutionalization of accountable autonomy.
KW - Abraham Kuyper;Sphere Sovereignty;Right of Resistance;Korean Protestantism;Political Engagement
DO -
UR -
ER -
Lee Jaewook. (2026). Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance. The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics, 65, 511-544.
Lee Jaewook. 2026, "Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance", The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics, no.65, pp.511-544.
Lee Jaewook "Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance" The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics 65 pp.511-544 (2026) : 511.
Lee Jaewook. Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance. 2026; 65 : 511-544.
Lee Jaewook. "Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance" The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics no.65(2026) : 511-544.
Lee Jaewook. Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance. The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics, 65, 511-544.
Lee Jaewook. Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance. The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics. 2026; 65 511-544.
Lee Jaewook. Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance. 2026; 65 : 511-544.
Lee Jaewook. "Kuyper’s Theory of the State and Political Participation of Modern Korean Protestantism: Focusing on Sphere Sovereignty and the Right of Resistance" The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics no.65(2026) : 511-544.
