Syncretism

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Syncretism
The Religious Context of Christian Beginnings in Korea

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David Chung - Author
Kang-nam Oh - Editor

SUNY series in Korean Studies

Price: $60.50
Hardcover - 278 pages

Release Date: April 2001

ISBN10: 0-7914-4941-6
ISBN13: 978-0-7914-4941-7

Price: $31.95
Paperback - 278 pages

Release Date: April 2001

ISBN10: 0-7914-4942-4
ISBN13: 978-0-7914-4942-4

Available as a Google eBook for other eReaders and tablet devices. Click icon below...

Summary

Argues that a syncretic worldview encouraged the remarkable growth of Christianity in Korea.

This book explains the explosive growth of Christianity since its introduction into Korea in the eighteenth century. In no other Asian country has Christianity taken root so strongly.

Author David Chung argues that it was the syncretic tendency of Korean religious culture that provided the context for the successful acceptance of Christianity. Working from the perspective of comparative religions, he explores how Korean society accommodated and assimilated religions of foreign origin, such as Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity through crude equation and subtle identification of these religions with Korean indigenous beliefs. Fundamentally shamanistic, Korean society received and grafted these religions onto its own and made a remarkable tapestry of beliefs, rites, and values into a comprehensive pattern. Syncretism finds this “religious tapestry” or internal chemistry working between Korean and Christian worldviews.

“Syncretism is a most important phenomenon in understanding Korean Christianity even today. This book gives us an eye-opening experience.” — Chan-Hie Kim, Claremont School of Theology

“Many scholars are asking why Christian churches are so successful in Korea in comparison to other neighboring Asian countries. A significant answer is provided in this book of Syncretism.” — Wi Jo Kang, Wilhelm Loehe Professor of World Religions and Mission at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Emeritus

David Chung is former President of Konkuk University and Hanshin University, Korea, and former Professor of Religious Studies, Carleton University, Canada.

Table of Contents

Editor's Introduction
Preface

PART I. THE PROBLEM: THE UNIQUE EVENT

Chapter One: Catholicism: Mirabiliter Ingressi
Chapter Two: Protestantism: A Success

PART II. CONTEXT: THE EVENTFUL AGE

Chapter Three: The Historical Stage
Chapter Four: Social Environment
Chapter Five: Method Employed

PART III. SYNCRETISM: TAPESTRY IN THE EASTERN SCENE

Chapter Six: Concept and Meaning
Chapter Seven: The Eastern Tapestry: The “Three Religions Are One” Principle

PART IV. THE CLUE: DIFFUSION AND CONVERGENCE

Chapter Eight: Confucianism and Christianity: Morphological Analogy
Chapter Nine: Buddhism and Christianity: Paradise in the Great Beyond
Chapter Ten: Taoism and Christianity: Unio Mystic
Chapter Eleven: Christianity and Popular Belief in Korean Society: New Discovery of an Old Faith

Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Glossary
Index

Related Subjects

Asian Studies
Christianity
Religion

39288/39287(NE/DG/)

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