Page 14 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

INTRODUCTION

The Research Problem and Thesis

In Korea today one of the most often heard and discussed topics is “crisis,” as in financial

or economic crisis, political crisis, morality crisis, education crisis, environmental crisis, etc.

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After a remarkable and exceptional economic development since the 1960s, contemporary
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Korean society suffers from variety of negative effects. Korean society is a “risk society.” In the

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midst of this social crisis, the Korean churches also face a church crisis. The Korean church

1 Sang-Jin Han, “The Korean Path to Modernization and Risk Society,” Korea Journal 39
no.1 (Spring 1998), 6, “For the last three decades, Korea has represented one of the most
dynamic economies in the world, with the average annual growth rate of 7.1 percent from 1965
to 1990, the highest GNP growth rate in the world, according to the International Bank of
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) The Korean GNP per capita, was less than US$100 in
1965, increased to US $10,076 in 1995.”
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The expected perils of rush-industrialization came true when Korean society faced
financial and economic crisis in 1997. Scholars raised their voices in many fields. The issue of
Korea Journal 39 no.1 (Spring1998) titled as “Korea A ‘Risk’ Society?” is one example.

3 The two most influential homileticians in Korea published an article concerning the
crisis of the contemporary Korean church. Sung Kuh Chung, “Hankuk Kyohoe-eui Wigi
Keukbok,” (Overcoming the crisis of the Korean church] Sinhak Jinam (Review of theology)
256 (August 1998): 181-202; Chang Bok Chung, “Talkyohoe-eui WiGg-wa Kyohoe
Barosewoogi,” (Crisis of the church and straightening up the church) Kidokkyo Sasang
(Christian thoughts) 495 (March 1997): 29-37.

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