 Moderator's column  The Presbyterian Layman Volume 34, Number 1, Posted January 24, 2001
Upon reading my report, many people expressed surprise to learn that there are so many Presbyterian denominations in South Korea. In fact, there are many more Presbyterian denominations than the 25. The 25 that came together for that special worship service are the larger denominations. “Why are there so many Presbyterian divisions in South Korea?” people ask. Korean Christians faced hardships One of the historical reasons is that Korean Christians have had to face many hardships requiring serious commitment to be followers of Christ, including persecution and even martyrdom for their faith. As they were trying to be faithful, their convictions were strong and clear, often within a narrowly defined belief system. Compromises in their understanding of faith did not come easily, and splits and divisions were inevitable results. For example, when Korea was under Japanese control, Christians faced a critical test because they were forced to follow Shinto Shrine rituals. Some church leaders refused to obey the government edict because they considered the rituals to be idol worship. Other church leaders followed the order simply as acts of civil obligation. Those who objected and disobeyed the order were imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese authorities. Some died in prison. Liberation and division After World War II ended in 1945, Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule and imprisoned church leaders were freed. They soon assumed leadership positions in the church. They declared that the church leaders who obeyed Japanese government orders for Shinto Shrine rituals should be disciplined as “unfaithful” and their status as ministers taken away. There quickly came a division between those who had been imprisoned and claimed that they alone were “pure” and worthy to be true leaders of the church and those who were not willing to accept such claims. That was the first major split in the predominantly Presbyterian church in Korea. Many unfortunate divisions over the past century have plagued Presbyterians from South Korea. During my recent visit, however, I was grateful to see signs of a new effort to heal the wounds and divisions of past years in a spirit of reconciliation. Having seen the pain of division among Presbyterians in Korea, I offer my sincere prayer for our own denomination, that we may uphold the prayer our Lord offered: “ Father, I ask ... that they may all be one.” I believe that both the mission and the unity of the church must be emphasized together. Syngman Rhee |
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