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The Bible and Empire in the Divided Korean Peninsula in Search for a Theological Imagination for Just Peace

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The Bible and Empire in the Divided Korean Peninsula in Search for a Theological Imagination for Just Peace University of Dublin Trinity College The Bible and Empire in the Divided Korean Peninsula In Search for a Theological Imagination for Just Peace A Dissertation Submitted For the Degree of DOCTOR of PHILOSOPHY By Youngseop Lim Irish School of Ecumenics February 2021 Declaration I declare that this thesis has not been submitted as an exercise for a degree at this or any other university and it is entirely my own work. I agree to deposit this thesis in the University’s open access institutional repository or allow the Library to do so on my behalf, subject to Irish Copyright Legislation and Trinity College Library conditions of use and acknowledgement. Signed: _____________________________________ Date: _______________________________________ iii Summary The major objective of this thesis is to examine the relationship between biblical interpretation and imperialism in the context of the Korean conflict. This study takes its starting point in the questions of what caused the Korean conflict, and what role the Bible has played in the divided Korean church and society. In order to find answers to these questions, this study is carried out in several steps. The first step is to explore just peace and imperial peace in the Bible as a conceptual framework. The second step seeks to reconstruct the history of Korean Christianity, the relationship between church and state, and the impact of American church and politics from postcolonial perspective. As the third step, this study focuses on the homiletical discourses of Korean megachurches in terms of their relation to the dominant ideologies, such as anticommunism, national security, pro-Americanism, and economic prosperity. The last step is to present examples of theological efforts for overcoming colonial-imperial settings and creating theological imagination for just peace. This thesis is composed of eight chapters, each of them dealing with a different aspect of the relationship between the Bible and political ideologies. Discussing just peace and imperial peace in the Bible, Chapter 1 defines biblical justice and peace as counter- imperialistic features. Chapter 2 reviews the historical background of the Korean church in political fluctuation. Chapters 3 illustrates how the Bible, theology, and Christian missions have been threatened by colonial-imperial phenomenon, ranging from the mid- nineteenth century until quite recently. Chapters 4 and 5 focus on analysing the homiletical discourses of Korean megachurches that have influenced social discourse and practices. In Chapter 6, theological alternatives to surmount colonial-imperial contradictions are drawn by suggesting examples of biblical interpretation as a key driver of social change. On the basis of the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that the Korean church and society have been divided politically, socially, and theologically by colonial-imperial ramifications. Korean churches have not been immune to the impact of American imperial theology and the Cold War rhetoric. In particular, theological discourses created in the Korean mainstream churches have functioned as supporting the colonial-imperial ideologies, rather than implementing biblical just peace. Nonetheless, this study suggests the possibilities for the re-enactment of the theological alternative to division and conflict, and reaffirms the feasibility of overcoming imperial peace and its ideology through theological imagination for just peace. v Acknowledgements The way from the commencement to the finalisation of this research has been one which I have journeyed with church members, professors, friends, colleagues, and family. Along the way there have been a lot of prayers, encouragement, and support of Kyungdong Church and Seokwang Church. I owe great thanks to Rev. Park Jong-hwa, Chae Soo-il, Kong In-woong, and members of churches that words do not have the force to convey. My warmest thanks also go to church members studying in Dublin with me, Lee Hyun-joo, Seo-yeon, Cho Seong-hwan, Park Gye-hyung, and Eun-gi. I believe that it was not by accident but divine grace that we spent several years together in a foreign land, far away from home. None of this project would have been possible without the continuous support, insight and encouragement of my supervisor, Jude Lal Fernand. He has been tremendously helpful in shepherding me through the process of studying in Dublin as well as producing this dissertation. With his profound knowledge, his willingness to work hard to make the world a peaceful place has inspired me to ponder on the kind of world we want to make and how we can contribute to achieving it. My respect and gratitude for him can hardly be expressed in words. I also owe thanks to his family, Nadee and Raveesh who have always given a favour to me. At the outset of this study I was accompanied by Professor Andrew Pierce. He has contributed greatly to my reflection on the method, theory, and role of ecumenical theology. His lectures and insightful comments on my topic have been invaluable to the progress of this research. I direct my heartfelt thanks for these years of supervision and encouragement. I moreover direct my sincere thanks to Volker Kuester who, with his expertise in the field of Minjung Theology and hermeneutics, served as an external examiner at my viva voce examination. His comments and suggestion have been of enormous value in the final phase of elaborating and bringing forth this dissertation. Along the way there are several people who have encouraged and supported me. I wish to express my gratitude to Gillian Wylie, John O’Grady, Mary, Iain Atack and his family, who have given favours to me. My dear friend and colleague Kim Sung-hwan, Hong Chang-hyun, and Ha Kyung-eun walked with me through the almost entire study process. Their kindness, love, and rich conversation have been a true source for renewed energy and joy. I also direct great thanks to friends, members of Friends Church including Helen, Haku, Kasper, Averil and her family. We were faced with unexpected difficulties like the vi unpredictable Irish weather, but we could make priceless and treasured memories due to their love and help, as much of the beauty of the Irish landscape, Thanks are due to my friend and English proof-reader Jan Grosvenor for her work. She pored over each word of this dissertation, and we spent many years discussing career, research, and concerns of family. My heartfelt thanks go to my family in South Korea and my dear Dongjin. My mother- in-law and family have backed up my studying in Dublin with their love, faith and prayer. Without them believing in me and keeping me in their thoughts and prayers, I never would have made it. I also owe a special word of thanks to Dongjin Kim and his family Heeju and Jiwoo. Having accompanied each other since the very first day of this theological journey, sharing our life, faith, and knowledge has deeply inspired and supported my ministry and study. His encouragement and enthusiastic support have meant the world to me. Finally, to my beloved wife Kim Eunsil, my son Yunseo, and my daughter Rijin: Eunsil has been my most engaged interlocutor and most stalwart friend. As stiff twin compasses are two, she has become the fixed foot, and her firm faith has made our circle just, in these difficult times. Our beloved Yunseo and Rijin have continually provided breaks from ideologies and theories, and the motivation to finish my work with expediency. I shall finish with my Lord Yahweh. Without the Lord’s Word, I would have never found the path of just peace. vii Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 0.1 “God of life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace” ............................................................................................. 1 0.2 Division of Churches in a Divided Society .............................................................................................. 2 0.3 Research Questions, Structure, and Aims .............................................................................................. 4 0.4 Korean Protestant Church as Research Object .................................................................................... 6 0.5 Mapping the Scope of the Research Field............................................................................................ 11 0.5.1 The Bible and Empire in Biblical Studies ..................................................................................................... 11 0.5.2 The Modern Political Application of Biblical Discourses ...................................................................... 16 0.5.3 Imagination and Ideology ................................................................................................................................... 18 0.5.4 Postcolonial Hermeneutics and Homilies .................................................................................................... 23 0.6 Research Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 26 0.6.1 Critical Discourse Analysis in Qualitative Research ................................................................................ 26 0.6.2 Postcolonial Biblical Criticism .......................................................................................................................... 30 1. JUST PEACE AND IMPERIAL PEACE IN THE BIBLE ...................................................33
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