A Critical Examination of Far-Right Korean Protestantism in the Age of Secularization and a Spiritual-Theological Alternative: Focusing on the Spiritual Tradition of the Early Egyptian Monastic Movement

• 발행기관: 한국민중신학회
• 저자명: Hyun Kee Na
• 간행물 정보: 『Madang: Journal of Contextual Theology』제44권, 3~23쪽, 전체 21쪽
• 주제분류: 인문학 > 기독교신학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2025.12.30

국문 초록

This paper examines the historical development and contemporary expressions of far-right Korean Protestantism, proposing a spiritual-theological alternative rooted in the early Egyptian monastic tradition. Far-right Korean Protestantism has emerged as a socio-political force, characterized by dualistic worldviews, prosperity theology, anti-communist ideology, and aggressive political mobilization. This study argues that this phenomenon represents a distorted form of spiritual seeking that arose as an exclusionary response to secularization, heavily influenced by American fundamentalism. Through interdisciplinary integration of sociology of religion, patristics, and spiritual theology, this research analyzes the contemporary far-right Protestant movement exemplified by Kwang-hoon Jeon of Sarang Jeil Church. It demonstrates that, despite its claim to resist secularization, far-right Protestantism has paradoxically become politicized and materialistic, thereby distancing itself from authentic contemplative depth. In response, this study proposes the spiritual tradition of Origen, Evagrius Ponticus, and John Cassian as a therapeutic alternative. Their teachings emphasize progressive transformation, universal love, communal discernment, voluntary poverty, and contemplative interiority, offering comprehensive resources for addressing contemporary pathologies. The comparative analysis reveals stark contrasts: instantaneous conversion versus lifelong formation, hatred versus radical non-judgment, authoritarian control versus mutual accountability, and prosperity gospel versus voluntary poverty. This paper shows that ancient monastic wisdom speaks powerfully to postmodern contexts, offering Korean Christianity a third way beyond both fundamentalist extremism and uncritical secular accommodation.

목차

1. Introduction

2. Secularization and the Formation of Far-Right Korean Protestantism

3. The Spiritual Tradition of Early Egyptian Monasticism as an Alternative

4. Conclusion

References

키워드

Far-right Protestantism Korean Christianity Secularization Fundamentalism Early Egyptian Monastic Tradition Origen Evagrius Ponticus John Cassian Early Christian Spirituality