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An Investigation of the Potential of Traditional Korean Narrative as a Model of Contextual Preaching for the Korean Protestant Church by Kyongkuk Han A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Knox College and the Pastoral Department of the Toronto School of Theology In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael's College © Copyright by Kyongkuk Han 2014 An Investigation of the Potential of Traditional Korean Narrative as a Model of Contextual Preaching for the Korean Protestant Church Kyongkuk Han Doctor of Philosophy University of St. Michael’s College 2014 Abstract This thesis proposes a model of Korean contextual preaching based on potentials of traditional Korean narratives and performances, and insights from representative contextual preaching. Korean preaching has mostly followed Western preaching style such as three points deductive style. However, at present, both preachers and hearers are expecting to have a fresh preaching method for Korean pulpit. In this reality, I am suggesting a model of Korean contextual preaching which reflect Koreans’ Koreanness. In this study, classifications of Schreiter and Bevans expands understanding of contextual theology, and among those models of contextual theology, the synthetic model of Bevans be a frame to set up a model of Korean contextual preaching, and emphasis on Korean traditional narrative and performances of Korean contextual theology provide a clue to connect between Korean narrative and a model of Korean contextual preaching. In addition, this study shows common elements of contextual preaching from investigations of Pauline preaching, Indigenized preaching (Liberation preaching, Black preaching), and the new homiletic. And also, this study confirms unique approaches of each contextual preaching. With potential from Korean ii traditional narrative and performances, insights from those contextual preaching aid to set up a model of Korean contextual preaching. As a result of certain study, I am suggesting a model of Korean contextual preaching which has three stages, Gilnori – Madang – Duitpuri. Basically, the preaching values and encourages hearers’ participation and invite hearer as co-partner in the process of the preaching. iii Acknowledgments Soli Deo Gloria! My supervisor, Prof. Dorcas Gordon, has guided and encouraged me through this homiletical journey at Knox College, University of Toronto. Her valuable comments and wonderful insights have enabled me to complete this dissertation. I will never forget her kindness and support. Prof. Paul S. Wilson has provided numerous homiletical insights and has accompanied me every step of my academic journey, and I express my sincere gratitude to him. My gratitude also goes to Prof. Nam Soon Song for her encouragement to continue my studies. I am particularly grateful for her insights regarding the development of a model of contextual preaching for the Korean church. My deepest thanks to my former advisor Prof. David S. Jacobsen, the late Prof. Arthur Van Seters, Prof. Charles L. Campbell and Prof. David L. Bartlett for their wonderful teaching and spiritual support. I also thank Prof. Glen Taylor, Prof. William Kervin and Prof. Stephen Farris for participating in various stages of this dissertation. I would like to express warm appreciation to my colleague, Dr. Sarah Travis, for sharing her excellent homiletical insights with me. In addition, I express my deepest appreciation to my churches: Hanil Presbyterian Church in KwangJu, Korea and YoungNak Korean Presbyterian Church in Toronto. Especially, I give thanks for Dr. Minho Song’s warm encouragement which enabled me to reach this point. In this essential moment in my life, I offer my deepest gratitude to my family, especially my parents, Dr. Chul Wan Han and Mrs. Sun Nam Kim. I could not be here without their iv unconditional love, support and prayers. Finally, I share my love and celebration with my lovely wife Hye Sun, and our beloved children, Haram and Charles (Yu-Bin)! v Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... vi INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1 I. Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................................ 1 II. Thesis Statement ........................................................................................................................ 2 III. Thesis Structure ........................................................................................................................ 4 Chapter One Pauline Letter as a Model of Contextual Preaching: 1 Cor 8:1 -11:1 as a Case Study .......... 5 I. How can we understand Paul as a contextual preacher? ............................................................. 5 II. The Ecology of Corinth. ............................................................................................................. 8 a. The Context of Corinth ........................................................................................................... 8 b. The Context of the Corinthian Church ................................................................................. 11 III. Background to food sacrificed to idols. .................................................................................. 16 a. Religious Background .......................................................................................................... 16 b. Eating food in the Greco-Roman world ............................................................................... 18 IV. The Exegesis of the Chapter 8 – 11:1 of 1 Corinthians .......................................................... 24 a. Research Points .................................................................................................................... 24 b. Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 8:1 -11:1 ..................................................................................... 27 V. Pauline Letter as a model of Contextual Preaching ................................................................. 42 VI. Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 47 vi Chapter Two Contextuality and Homiletics ..................................................................................................... 49 I. Contextual Theology ................................................................................................................. 49 a. Various Terms Regarding Contextual Theology. ................................................................. 49 b. Definition of contextual theology ........................................................................................ 53 c. Classification of Contextual Theology ................................................................................. 55 II. Contextual Preaching ............................................................................................................... 66 a. Definition .............................................................................................................................. 67 b. History of contextual preaching ........................................................................................... 69 III. Liberation Preaching ............................................................................................................... 73 a. Liberation Theology ............................................................................................................. 73 b. Definition of Liberation Preaching ...................................................................................... 75 c. Liberation Preaching and a “Hermeneutic of suspicion” ..................................................... 76 IV. Black Preaching ...................................................................................................................... 83 a. Black Theology .................................................................................................................... 83 b. Black Preaching ................................................................................................................... 85 c. Theory of Henry H. Mitchell about Black Preaching .......................................................... 87 V. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 95 Chapter Three The New Homiletic as a model of contextual preaching ......................................................... 98 I. The New Homiletic ................................................................................................................... 98 II. External contexts and the New Homiletic .............................................................................. 100 a. Broadening Suspicion of Authority .................................................................................... 103 b. Postmodernism ..................................................................................................................