Page 31 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

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the Holiness. Among them, Kil was the most famous preacher; he was social reformer, leader
of the national independent movement, and a powerful revivalist.

Preaching in the Stage of Persecution (1919-1945)

During this epoch, the Korean Church was under severe persecution by Japanese

Imperialists. The period consists of two sections: 1920-1934 and 1934-1945. Three events

underscore this separation. The first is the change of colonial policy of Japan; the second is the

division among Korean preachers on the matter of Shinto Shrine worship; and the third is that the

year 1934 is the Year of Jubilee, the fiftieth year of Korean Christianity.

Preaching from 1920 to 1934

Samil Un Dong, the Independence Movement occurred on the first of March in 1919. It

was a peaceful demonstration that expressed the Korean’s resolution for independence to the

international community. Notwithstanding the restless and brutal reaction of Japan, the

demonstration lasted about three months. This movement also exposed the brutality of Japanese

colonial policy; and because of consequent global pressure on Japan, she began a new and

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gentler policy, namely “Politics of Cultural Rule.” The church used this opportunity to

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promote its evangelistic campaign. Yet, the scheme of the campaign was to “Japan-ize the
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Koreans” by changing language and culture. In this context, Korean preaching was

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Ibid., 68.
29
Kang, Christ and Caesar, 51.

30 Samuel Hugh Moffet, The Christians of Korea (New York: Friendship Press, 1962), 71.

31 Clark, Christianity, 10.