Christ and Caesar in Modern Korea

A History of Christianity and Politics

By Wi Jo Kang

Subjects: Asian Studies
Series: SUNY series in Korean Studies
Paperback : 9780791432488, 214 pages, March 1997
Hardcover : 9780791432471, 214 pages, March 1997

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Table of contents

Preface

1. Korean Politics of Isolationism and Roman Catholic Encounter

2. Introduction of Protestantism and the Opening of Korea

3. The First Protestant Missionary and Political Involvement1

4. The Progress of Christianity and the Awakening of Korean Nationalism

5. The Japanese Colonization of Korea and Christian Participation in Resistance Movements

6. Christianity and the Japanese Politics of Oppression

7. Christianity and the Japanese Politics of Cultural Rule

8. Christianity and the Japanese Politics of War

9. The Division of the Nation, the Korean War, and the Churches

10. The Politics of Anticommunism and the Unification Church

11. The Military Junta and the Politics of Conservatism in the Nation and in the Church

12. Christian Opposition to President Park Chung Hee

13. The Christian Movements for Democracy and the Assassination of the President

14. Democratization and the Anti-American Movement during the Rule of General Chun Doo Hwan

15. Christianity and the Politics of Reunification

16. The Christian President and the Politics of Reform

Conclusion: Christianity in North Korea and Its Future in Relation to Christianity and the Politics of South Korea

Appendices

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Description

A well-documented work on the history of modern Korea focusing on the history of Christianity in relation to politics.

Wi Jo Kang is Wilhelm Loehe Professor of World Religions and Mission, Wartburg Theological Seminary. He is the author of Religion and Politics in Korea Under the Japanese Rule and Christian Presence in Japan, and co-editor (with William J. Danker) of Future of the Christian World Mission.

Reviews

"This book is a clear and concise survey of the events and issues regarding the relationship of church and state in modern Korea. The author takes a historical approach in describing the events relating to the Korean Christian social movements which often have created friction and antagonism with the state or the government. This book also provides the historical, political, and social contexts for understanding the issues of church and politics in Korea from the beginning of Korean mission to the recent period. It has an excellent account and well documented descriptions regarding the beginning of Christianity in the late Chosen Korea, the persecution under the Japanese colonial rule of Korea, and the liberation and unification movements of the contemporary Korean church. What I like most about this book is that the author discusses the issues of church and state in a clear and consistent manner." — Young-chan Ro, George Mason University

"I like the way that the history of Christianity is presented in the broad context of political developments in Korea. Instead of a chronological approach, the book focuses on important issues in each epoch and recapitulates the dynamic interplay between Christianity and politics. It helps me to understand the significance of Christianity in shaping some critical issues that Korea has to face in her modernity." — Jung Young Lee, Drew University Theological School