Korean Discourse on Mission: The Spiritual Vision for the Nation of Rev. Kyung-Chik Han

This article takes up the theme of mission discourses by looking at how contrasting Korean Protestant mission theologies – church growth discourse and minjung theology – have been taken up to support international agendas. The context from which they come is illuminated through a critical study of the “spiritual vision for the nation” of Rev. Kyung-Chik Han, founder of Youngnak Presbyterian Church and national leader. It is argued that Han’s theology is a more mainstream discourse which arises from the period of colonization by Japan and the struggle for the nation, and that it has been distorted through being included under church growth. This investigation of Korean discourse on mission concludes with some observations about mission discourses more generally.