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Falsehood is lifted and truth prevails
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글쓴이 :
관리자
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The Christian Council of Korea (Korea’s largest Christian organization) announces, “No heresies found in Rev. Park Yoon-Sik.”
The Christian Council of Korea (CCK) (Pastor Hong Jae-Chul, Executive Chairman)
held an Executive Committee meeting on December 17, 2013, and decided to absolve Rev. Park Yoon-Sik, the senior pastor emeritus of Pyungkang Cheil Church, of all her-esy accusations. CCK’s special committee on heresy evaluation reported: “The committee reexamined Rev. Park who had been labeled as a heretic by both the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches in Korea (Tonghap) and the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches in Korea (Hapdong). As a result, no heresies were found in Rev. Park,” and the executive committee approved. (CCK is Korea’s largest Christian Organization with 76 religious bodies and 19 associations.)
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Summary of the article from Kookmin Daily News dated Dec. 18, 2013
Decision and conclusion on Rev. Park’s beliefs and theology
1. Decision on Rev. Park Yoon-Sik’s beliefs and theology
CCK’s special committee on heresy evaluation reported that the evidence with which the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap) and the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) used to label Rev. Park Yoon-Sik as a heretic was either mostly fabri-cated, caused by misunderstanding, or distortion of the truth.
Although advanced in years, being almost 90 years of age, Rev. Park has steadily developed his beliefs and theology. As a result, he compiled the long years of his theological research and his beliefs into the History of Redemption series. The nine books of the series published from 2007 to 2013 clearly reflect his Bible-centered, Reformed theological beliefs.
CCK’s special committee on heresy evaluation is aware that controversies were present in the past; we conclude, however, since Rev. Park has been developing his beliefs and theol-ogy, we must recognize his clear, definite beliefs and theology at the present, rather than what was unclear in the past. Through the first nine books of the History of Redemption series, many theologians and pastors have been recognizing Rev. Park for his theological orthodoxy.
First, on October 21, 2012, the Knox Theological Seminary in the US (located in Fort Lauder-dale, Florida) conferred Rev. Park with an honorary doctorate of divinity to acknowledge the scholarly contribution of his work, the History of Redemption series. The President of Knox Theological Seminary, Dr. Luder G. Whitlock, Jr., explained that Knox conferred the honorary doctorate to commend Rev. Park for his work in spreading the gospel of the redemptive his-tory to the world. Knox recognizes that such international contribution was made possible by the History of Redemption Series translated in Hebrew as well as in 16 other languages [at the time of conferment], as well as the establishment of nearly 300 churches worldwide.
After a thorough examination of the English version of the first four books of the History of Redemption series, Knox Theological Seminary acknowledged that the books were of world-class excellence in defining redemptive-historical theology. The seminary stated that the conferment of the honorary doctorate has been decided by the board of faculties and board of directors at Knox Theological Seminary. They also explained that this honorary doctorate is worth much more than the Nobel Prize. Hence, Rev. Park’s honorary doctorate in divinity from Knox for the merit of the History of Redemption series proves the interna-tional recognition of the soundness of his faith and beliefs.
Second, the leading theologians and pastors both in Korea as well as abroad have praised and recommended the History of Redemption series as a world-class biblical literature. One million books have been sold to this date, and they are being taught in many churches and various theological seminaries worldwide. The number of ministers who have been taught with the History of Redemption series to this day has reached over tens of thousands world-wide and is no longer countable.
Furthermore, the History of Redemption series has been translated into 18 languages, in-cluding English, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Cantonese), Spanish, German, Urdu, Khmer, Indonesian, Nepali, Hebrew, Sinhalese, Tamil, Thai, and Burmese. The series is recognized and highly regarded by all the countries of the world for magnifying Jesus Christ. In particular, a great spiritual movement has begun in the Muslim society as many people are converting to Christianity through repentance, baptism, and Bible study.
A man may die but his books remain. We cannot separate the author from his books. Rev. Park’s History of Redemption series is grounded in his Reformed orthodox beliefs; we have therefore decided that his theological doctrine contains no heretical aspects whatsoever and that his faith is purely evangelical and Reformed. At this point, the Korean religious groups should accept the decision of CCK that “Rev. Park is without heresies” and make way for the gospel of Jesus Christ to expand throughout the remaining years of Rev. Park’s life.
The essence of the gospel and love of Jesus Christ is about accepting and embracing those who strive to correct and rectify their past, no matter what type of sins and wrongdoings were committed in the past. Although the prodigal son left home, the gospel and love of Jesus Christ teach us to receive him back when he returns home. In the light of the con-science of scholars who have preached from the pulpit and fostered disciples for decades, the members of the special committee on heresy evaluation confirmed that no heresies were found in Rev. Park. We have agreed unanimously that the History of Redemption series, the fruit of Rev. Park’s life, deserves recognition from academic and religious societies. It is a great joy that CCK has finally absolved Rev. Park from the chains of accusations of heresy and has provided an institutional strategy to share with the churches in Korea the grace of God that Rev. Park has received.
2. Conclusion on the faith and theological beliefs of Rev. Park
After thorough examination of the faith and theological beliefs of Rev. Park, CCK’s special committee on heresy evaluation reports that no heresies have been found in Rev. Park.
Moreover, we conclude that the previous evidence used to label Rev. Park as a heretic was false and inaccurate.
(1) We have examined the reports submitted by Pastor Choi Sam-Kyung from the Presby-terian Church of Korea (Tonghap), reports submitted by Professor Park Yong-Kyu from the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), and all court records. As the result, we confirm that all these accusations against Rev. Park have been fabricated and far from the truth.
(2) The nine books of the History of Redemption series authored by Rev. Park contain no attributes of heresy and its contents are very biblical, evangelical, Reformed, and redemp-tive-historical. Moreover, he received an honorary doctorate in divinity from Knox Theo-logical Seminary because of their high regard for the History of Redemption series. Numer-ous seminars on the History of Redemption series have been held at various seminaries and churches and the books have been accepted as textbooks in many schools all over the world. Some of these institutions that have endorsed the History of Redemption series are Knox Theological Seminary, Faith Theological Seminary, Logos Evangelical Seminary, Torch Theological Seminary in the US; STT SATYABHAKTI (SATI) and Jaffray Sekolah Tinggi Theolo-gia in Indonesia; Tung Ling Bible School in Singapore; Lanka Bible College & Seminary in Sri Lanka; Phnom Penh Bible College in Cambodia, etc.
(3) CCK’s special committee on heresy evaluation confirms that Rev. Park’s sermons are Christocentric and that his evangelical and Reformed theology is firmly rooted in the bible.
(4) Rev. Park acknowledges the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Apostle’s Creed; accordingly, he believes in God the Trinity. He does not deify himself but believes that he is a creation of God who needs to be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. These are his theological beliefs and the entirety of his ministry. It has been verified that Rev. Park’s views on Christology, theology, and creation are biblically sound.
(5) The 87th general assembly of Tonghap in September of 2002 announced the heresy of Choi Sam-Kyung, who worked in the forefront to bring accusations against Rev. Park, for Choi’s beliefs in tritheism, denial of the Holy Spirit, and fabrication of lies. Then on Novem-ber 24 and December 15 of 2011, he was found to be the most heinous heretic who asserts tritheism and the “theory of conception during (Mary’s) menstruation.” The Policy Practice Committee of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea also announced him as a heretic on December 30, 2011, and this ruling was also accepted by CCK.
(6) CCK’s special committee on heresy evaluation summoned Rev. Park on November 26, 2013 and interviewed him with 52 questions. Rev. Park provided clear, definite answers to all the questions, and CCK confirmed his theological soundness.
In conclusion, after a thorough examination in accordance with the article 13 in chapter 3 of re-trial regulations and with the articles 12 and 14 of absolution, CCK’s special com-mittee on heresy evaluation confirms: No heresies have been found in Rev. Park, and his conservative, Reformed faith and beliefs are Bible-centered. We therefore decide to submit this report, along with Rev, Park’s answers, to the executive board of the Christian Council of Korea (CCK).
December 2, 2013
Special Committee on Heresy Evaluation
Christian Council of Korea
Chairman of Committee: Dr. Lee Kun-Ho (Dean of Graduate School, Joongang Theological Seminary of the General Assembly)
Secretary: Pastor Yoon Duck-Nam (Korea Baptist Association, formerly Chairman of Heresy Prevention Committee)
Committee members: Dr. Na Chae-Un (Dean of Graduate School, Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary), Dr. Do Han-Ho (President of Baptist Theological Seminary), Dr. Cho Young-Yup (Professor of Systematic Theology, Kyeyak Graduate School of Theology), Dr. Yoo Heung-Ok (Presently Dean of Graduate School, Holiness Church Theological Seminary), Dr. Kim Hyang-Joo (Presently Professor of Systematic Theology, Korean Theological Seminary), Dr. Park Woo-Sam (Presently visiting Professor in Hoseo University), Dr. Shin Chang-Su (Presently Professor of Busan Presbyterian University), Dr. Lee Byung-Soon (President of the pastors of General Assembly of Presbyterian Church), Dr. Kim Won-Nam (President of Missionary of General Assembly of Presbyterian Church), Pastor Um Jung-Mook (Former President of Reformed General Assembly of Presbyterian Church), Pastor Kang Gi-Won (President of General Assembly of Presbyterian Church), and Pastor Doh Yong-Ho (Secretary of Constitution Protection of General Assembly of Presbyterian Church)
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It is truly remarkable that the slander against Rev. Park and Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church and the consequent misunderstandings have all been resolved before the close of 2013. This event relieved Rev. Park and the congregation of Pyungkang Cheil Church from the indescribable suffering and tears because of the tenacious maligning for the past 30 years.
The History of Redemption Series recommended by an overwhelming number of influential scholars
Efforts to resolve the misunderstandings actually sparked at the publication of the History of Redemption series in the year 2007. Religious societies in Korea as well as abroad gave rave reviews; strong recommendations from influential and trustworthy scholars followed, transcending religious denominations and bodies. It certainly was not easy for these in-fluential scholars who represent the Christian society in Korea to recommend the books of a pastor who had been involved in a heresy dispute. In fact, they had no reason to do anything in favor of Rev. Park whom they had never met or for Pyungkang Cheil church, which they had never visited or known much of. Moreover, they could have felt uncom-fortable with the subtitle “for the first time in history” in the History of Redemption series.
That is why these scholars had to examine the books more thoroughly and meticulously than anyone else did. What was the result? Some of their reviews for the books were: “all seminaries around the world should adopt these books as their textbooks,” “a great book that teaches the Bible clearly,” “must-read books for all Christians,” etc. Furthermore, these scholars started to take action on their own accord to absolve Rev. Park from the false heresy accusations. Being familiar with the climate of the Christian society in Korea, the scholars closely investigated Rev. Park’s theological views and pastoral activities for “many months in multiple conclaves.” Consequently, they made several public statements that no heresies are found in Rev. Park?even before CCK made the final decision.
The one who actually accused Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church of heresy was denounced “as the most heinous heretic.”
This dispute came to a turning point in December 2012. For many years, Pastor Choi Sam-Kyung worked at the forefront in attacking Rev. Park and Pyungkang Cheil Church. However, CCK and the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong), which had been his main work stage, recently denounced him as “the most heinous heretic in the history of Korean Christianity.” He had publicly presented unacceptable assertions such as the theory of conception during (Mary’s) menstruation (denies the virgin birth of Jesus) and tritheism (denies the Trinity). He even published them in journals.
The religious society raised an outcry for introspection at the fact that such a man had been active as “the heresy evaluator” and the “chief ” of the Heresy Evaluators Committee within major religious bodies and Christian organizations in Korea. The society then turned its attention to the injustice suffered by Pyungkang Cheil church. Consequently, CCK listed Pyungkang Cheil Church in their statement in 2012 to absolve the false accusation against the church. Then, decisive evidence was presented. A voice recording of a conversation between Pastor Choi Sam-Kyung and the late Pastor OOO (name withheld in respect for the deceased) was disclosed for the first time in decades, revealing their conspiracy to frame Rev. Park of heresy.
For many decades now, the so called “heresy evaluators” have worked actively in the Korean Christian society without validations and credentials. Abusing the exclusiveness of the field to their favor, they freely wielded their swords of self-claimed expertise, and many innocent victims fell at their sword. Strangely, the real heretics with undeniable fallacies remained unharmed. The innocent victims, on the other hand, would trip and fall over their absurd standards. Sometimes, they were powerlessly abused by the greed, jealousy and fabrications of these heresy evaluators.
Many of the religious bodies recognized the few accomplishments of these heresy evalu-ators and therefore disregarded their numerous harmful effects. At times, their envy led them to employ these heresy evaluators against rapidly growing churches. They cornered churches to heresy for “different” interpretations, which are biblically permissible and not “wrong” at all. They ostracized pastors whose biblical studies are intense and deep, arguing that such pastors are “different.”
The level of biblical understanding in Korean churches has seen a great decline across the board. As the churches no longer paid attention to the Bible, the world began to criticize them for their fortune-seeking, secularized, and materialistic beliefs. Then, an ironic in-cident happened at the end of last year: a leading heresy evaluator asserted “tritheism”?which denies the Trinity, the fundamentals of Christianity?and the “theory of concep-tion during (Mary’s) menstruation,” and CCK pronounced him “the most heinous heretic.”
Subsequently, the Policy Operation Committee of Hapdong, the largest religious body in Korea, also pronounced him a “heretic.” They announced, “Choi Sam-Kyung is a heretic who opposes the Reformed faith, and all those who protect or support him, including The Church and Faith magazine, will be considered as his followers.”
Pyungkang Cheil Church was one of the victims that “the most heinous heretic” had been falsely accusing for heresy for so many years. When Pyungkang Cheil Church was under his attack, many wondered at the reason. The most common response was “There is no smoke without fire.” Others reacted with human rationality, saying, “I have no idea but let’s just not go to that church.” However, few pastors and believers actually came to attend the worship services in person or researched on the facts. To this day, none of those who personally examined Pyungkang Cheil Church has said, “Yes, this church is heretical.”
The leading scholar in the Korean church history, Dr. Min Kyung Bae (honorary professor in theology at Yonsei University) as well as other renowned scholars gave book reviews that were beyond a mere acknowledgement. Their words of praise and awe for the History of Redemption series stirred up the religious and academic societies. Finally, the Gradu-ate School of the Reformed Theological Seminary, which is known for its highest level of biblical understanding in Korea, began an investigation on Rev. Park’s theological views and concluded, “No wrong was found in the theological views of Rev. Park.”
Nevertheless, a small group of individuals who had been spreading biased accusations and lies on the internet intensified their activities. The sad reality is that the simple act of “con-demning a person of heresy” easily catch people’s attention, while “absolution of heresy”?which is ten-times, hundred-times more difficult to do?is often overlooked and veiled. In contrast to the small number of people who accused of heresy, a much greater number of influential figures with much higher academic authority have publically announced that there is no fallacy in Rev. Park’s theological beliefs. Yet, little of this is known?at least on the internet.
Reckless false accusations provoke disgust
The main accusation is that Rev. Park is from the Jeondokwan (a heretical sect in Korea) and the Unification Church. The accusers presented the old data as if they were estab-lished facts and affixed the doctrines of the Unification Church to Rev. Park. They dis-torted certain parts of his sermons and linked them to the doctrines of the Unification Church. From the sources of unidentifiable origin, they listed words that were provocative to Christians to induce them to think that those were the words used by Rev. Park in his sermons. It is easy to detect how they took the passages?which authoritative professors have already defined as “just different exegesis of the Bible”?and exaggerated them into heretical doctrines.
With distorted and exaggerated facts with hasty conclusions, they have complicated the matter so much, that no laity could follow their logic. They intended to provoke disgust in people, so that the people would conclude, “Whoever this is, he is a pastor with big prob-lems.” These were the typical methods of the so called “heresy evaluators” who influenced the religious society in Korea. A third party will never find out that these heresy evaluators were the very people who denied the truth that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit; in fact, for many decades, they asserted that Jesus was conceived during menstruation. Only recently, they were denounced as the most heinous heretic. Unfortunately, the laity will never know which pastors and professors assisted and partook in such heresy.
Final ruling of Seoul Superior Court: “Rev. Park is from neither Jeondokwan nor the Unification Church”
The assertion was far from the truth from the very beginning. The 13th civil case of the Seoul Superior Court ruled that Rev. Park was from neither Jeondokwan nor Unification Church. It was found that an evangelist from the Unification Church had the same Korean name as Rev. Park.
In 2009, the Superior Court ruled: “From April 1958 to March 1962, Park served as an evangelist at Dongmasan Church af-filiated with the Southern Division of the Korean Christian Methodist Church, located 75-1 Hwewon-dong, Masan-si. Based on this fact, it is hard to believe that Park also worked or studied the doctrines at the headquarters of the Jeondokwan or Unification Church during this period.” Since the court also acknowledged other evidences, such as governmental records submitted by the plaintiff Rev. Park, the claims that Rev. Park was from the Unification Church cannot be valid.
Despite a lost case, various accusations in new and different forms reappear over the Internet
Recently, a picture submitted by the heresy evaluators turned out to be a decisive factor in disclosing the truth that Rev. Park was not from Jeondokwan. Nevertheless, they have again produced new forms of fabricated claims, pretending or exaggerating as if they have found new evidence. They have also republished the same information that had already been pronounced invalid by the court, as if they were valid. They are using the Internet to redistribute the accusative articles from a religious magazine (for which the publisher had already made a public apology) and even the contents of lies (for which the instigator has already confessed in the court).
The court ordered to delete all writings pertaining to false theory of Rev. Park’s heresy found in the book Heresy and Falsehood. Nevertheless, the book is still widespread on the Internet and is being used as a sacred reference. Moreover, the falsified articles from The Modern Religion?for which Tak Myung-Hwan, its publisher, wrote an apology in all Christian newspapers in 1990?are still circulating over the Internet.
The superior court has ruled that Rev. Park is not from Jeondokwan. Yet, a pastor still posts on the Internet: “although the case has been lost, this still does not prove that Rev. Park did not come from Jeondokwan.” Well, we can also turn that argument around and say this: just because a certain organization has several people by the common name Park Yoon-sik, that does not prove Rev. Park from Pyungkang Cheil Church is from that organization. With so many of such distorted and obstinate arguments, it is no longer possible to re-spond to every single one of them. It is truly difficult to convince those who have already shut their eyes and ears with a determination to slander against someone. They have even gone as far as producing sloppy evidence by fabricating pictures.
Constitution’s true intention to protect the freedom of religion has been misunderstood as “victory based on facts”
There are also claims about winning a certain lawsuit against Pyungkang Cheil Church.
This, however, is another misconstruction of the intent of the ruling in the case. When it comes to freedom of the press, the Korean constitution allows greater freedom in matters of religion than for general publications. Nevertheless, Chongshin Seminary professors still lost the first and second trials in a defamation lawsuit, and this proves that their claims were factually irrelevant. Especially, in regards to the ten grounds of heresy submitted by the Chongshin Seminary professors, the 21st civil department of Seoul Superior Court addressed each one of them and ruled that they “cannot be seen as truth.”
Concerning the newspaper announcements published by the professors of Chongshin Seminary, the court pointed out clearly: “It was intended to mislead the readers into be-lieving that Park Yoon-Sik and his teachings?which he had founded and preached?are heretical according to the orthodox Christianity. Hence, this caused people to accept the plaintiffs as heretical organization, ultimately defaming the plaintiff ’s refutation.” Further-more, it was decided that “the manuscript of the Ten Steps Bible lesson as submitted by the professors of Chongshin Seminary . . . cannot be regarded as trustworthy. Therefore, based on the details and the evidence above, the announcements and other claims given cannot be considered true.”
The following is the reason why the Supreme Court nevertheless made a decision not to classify the defamation lawsuit within the class of illegality: “Even though their claims are far from the truth, the freedom of religion will be greatly weakened should the defendants be punished.” Simply put, this means, “There is no need to punish them although their
claims were not factual.” Nevertheless, Chongshin Seminary professors publicize this court decision as if they had won this case based on facts. This is like trying to cover the sky with one’s hand. It is not the proper attitude for those who are supposedly practicing scholarship.
What is most heartbreaking is that people might reach out for the History of Redemption series, only to reconsider because of those false claims rampaging through the Internet. This is probably also felt among other scholars who have read the History of Redemption series and resolved to help Pyungkang Cheil Church break off these accusations of heresy.
While these scholars evaluate the History of Redemption series as “a valuable series that will save Christianity in Korea,” naysayers on the Internet retaliate with claims that “Rev. Park wrote the History of Redemptive series as a way to cover up his heresy.”
The History of Redemption series that captures the fifty years of ministry and theological beliefs
The History of Redemption series is a distillation of Rev. Park’s 50-year ministry as well as his theological beliefs. In his foreword, Rev. Park shares his experience in Mt. Jiri, where he engaged in life-risking prayer and in-depth reading of the Bible for more than three years in 1950’s. During the time, he received the illumination of the Holy Spirit and came to a deep understanding of God’s administration of redemptive history. The History of Redemption series reveals truths in the Bible and the redemptive-historical administra-tion therein “for the first time in the history.” Some of such findings include the fact that Noah actually took 70 to 80 years to build the ark, not 120 years, and that Adam and his 9th descendant Lamech lived 56 years contemporaneously. What is shocking to the world is that such elucidations have been made solely through the Bible, not through any newly developed theory, doctrine, or a recent archaeological discovery.
Even then, the heresy identifiers pick up phrases like “understanding,” “through prayer,” and “in the mountain,” and distorted them into interpretations such as, “I received direct revelations from God” or “Only I have been given this understanding,” to claim that “he shows the close-minded characteristics typical of many religious sect leaders.” However, the books were published as a direct result of such prayers and understanding, and many renowned scholars in Korea as well as in other countries already confirmed that the work does not deviate from the Bible and only testifies the Bible. Isn’t this something that people can easily find out for themselves when they read the books? Because the scholars read the books, they were able to write their commentaries and recommendations, and the books have sold more than one million copies in Korea as well as in other countries.
People can have their own opinions. However, the credibility of their words and the au-thoritativeness of their testimonies can vary drastically. The content of claim and its logics, more than anything else, will prove that. In the midst of all the accusations, if the books were truly not the first in world history as printed on the book, then lawsuits would already have been submitted. Likewise, if the books were not written directly from the Bible, then controversy regarding heresy would have arisen immediately. If the books were a mere formulation of already existing biblical commentaries, the series regarded as the “specialty publication on theology” could not have sold more than one million copies. In fact, it seems impossible for a series of theological books to spread farther and farther out into the world with the subtitle ‘The First Time in History.” It would also be impossible to receive the kind of commentaries penned by numerous internationally renowned scholars in their efforts to promote the books. The theological seminaries in Korea and also in other coun-tries would never have chosen the books as their textbooks, either. The books have been translated into eighteen different languages?English, Japanese, Chinese, German, Rus-sian, Spanish, Tamil, Indonesian, Urdu, Khmer, and Hebrew?and have become bestsell-ers, selling hundreds of thousands of copies abroad. Let alone theological literatures, what other books in Korea have accomplished this?
A tree is known by its fruit. A person’s words and writings reveal his thoughts and ideas.
Especially in Rev. Park’s case?where his books are not in the form of a testimonial or an essay, but a twelve-volume series with each book averaging 400 pages fully packed with biblical content only?people must realize that the author has poured his entire life into these books for all to see.
For the past 50 years, there have been many stories concerning the ministry of Rev. Park, but the History of Redemption series should be the truest, most accurate resource and evidence above all the others from the past.
Written by a special report team for True Peace
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