Dr. Youngyup Cho, former I.P.M. Missionary

1. Reverend Park’s History of Redemption Series is Bible-Centered, Calvinistic, and Based on Reformed Orthodox Beliefs and Theology
Among the recent books published from the perspective of History of Redemption, Rev. Park’s Series of the History of Redemption books stand out the most. His Redemption Series adds great value to the religious faith to ministers of course, but also to congregation members, professors, seminary students and anyone else.
Rev. Park’s Redemption Series consists of five books. In the future, other books will be published. The following books are published through Huisun (Tel +82-2-2687-6078): The Genesis Genealogies (1st book); The Covenant of the Torch (2nd book); The Unquenchable Lamp of the Covenant (3rd book); The Mysterious and Profound Providence of God (4th book); and The Promise of the Eternal Covenant (5th book).
Rev. Park confesses, “As I look back at the days that I have lived, I confess that it is completely by the grace of our living God that this old servant is still alive today to share the gospel of the cross and blood of our Lord ? the gospel of glory. It is the power of Christ’s precious blood tat was shed on the cross that forgave all my sins and saved me though I was the foremost of all sinners. This year marks the fifty-first year since this inadequate servant has served this church. I have exerted all my efforts in maintaining the orthodox faith by continuously studying Calvinism and the reformed orthodox theology taught by the predecessor of my faith, Dr. Hyung Yong Park.”

1.1 “Redemption Series” ? a Distinctive Title
Rev. Park’s does not use the general and universal word “salvation” but instead uses “redemption.” This has a symbolic connotation.
Generally “salvation” in Greek is soteria (Luke 19:9; John 4:22; Acts 4:12; Rom 11:11; 2 Thes 2:13; 2 Tim 3:15; Heb 2:3, 11:7; 2 Pet 3:15; Jude 1:3). To the contrary, “redemption” is lutrosis and apolutrosis which contains the detailed definition of salvation (Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45; Heb 9:12; Luke 1:68; 2:38).
Redemption occurred when Jesus Christ offered His life as a ransom for the sins of His chosen people to release them from Satan’s authority and from death.
In addition, Rev. Park was correct in choosing the words “Redemption Series” for his books as these words are Biblical, Calvinistic, and based on orthodox theology.
1.2 “Series” ? Continous History of Redemption
Five books dealing with Rev. Park’s thesis of “redemption” have already been published as part of the redemptive-historical series, with more books still to come. This is a result of Rev. Park’s dedication to reading the Bible at least two hours each day and fruits that he bore from his constant studying and researching of the Bible. We need to emulate Rev. Park’s true attitude of ministry as depicted on page 11 in the Introduction of the second book of the Redemption Series.
Rev. Park states, “I am only a sinner greatly indebted to our Lord’s great love and the gospel of the cross (Rom 1:14). For this reason, I prayed and vowed in my heart, 47 years ago, to pray at least two hours and read the Bible at least three hours each day. By God’s sovereign grace, I have prayed and read the Bible to this day, without missing a single day. Until the day of my last breath in this life that God has granted me, I will push forward with prayer and the Word, and boast only of the cross (1 Cor 2:2; Gal 6:14).” This is what we need to truly emulate from his ministry.
Rev. Park’s study of salvation is purely based on the Bible, is Calvinistic and orthodox theology. Jesus Christ is the star in the Redemption Series, method of redemption is the atonement from the cross of Jesus Christ. The principles of his sermon are based on content, original text, and doctrine of the Bible.

2. Main Star of the Redemption Series ? Jesus Christ
Rev Park’s books contain many themes, but the theme that stands out is “God’s Redemption.” His redemption series show “Bible is not only history of the Israelites but it is creation ? a starting point of great historical action where the new heaven and earth are completed for God’s Redemption.

2.1 Principle of Redemption
Rev. Park Yoon Sik displays three principles of Redemption:
? Firstly, Jesus Christ through the redemption work, paid the price for all sinners (John 10:11; Rom 5:6; 14:15; 1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:5; Gal 3:13; Tit 2:14)
? Secondly, the wage was the blood of Jesus Christ (Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18-19)
? Thirdly, all those who are redeemed belong to Jesus Christ as He purchased us with His precious blood (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:22-23). This is proof of thorough Calvinistic and reformed orthodox theology.
2.2 Method of Redemption is Atonement from the Cross of Jesus Christ
Rev. Park’s Redemption Series contains three views of Atonement
First, God determined the death of Jesus Christ on the cross in God’s Administration of Redemption.
The Cross of Jesus Christ was not a sudden or coincidental act.
This was determined by God. Jesus said in Luke 22:22 “the Son of Man is going as it has been determined.”
Second, Jesus Christ accomplished the Redemption through the cross once for all, the affect of redemption is eternal.
Jesus Christ was the only sacrifice that God could trust. There was no one who had the value of a sacrifice to be atonement except Jesus to redeem the sinners. Therefore, Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice once for all. Hebrews 9:12 states “And not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
This biblical redemptive perspective is often visible in Rev.Park’s Redemption Series. He shows Jesus Christ is the eternal High Priest (Heb 7:21-24), in addition He is the eternal sacrifice that was offered once for all (Heb 7:26-28; 9:26, 28; 10:10; Rom 6:10). The word “once for all” is hapax in Greek, which means once forever. Therefore, the atonement from death of Jesus Christ at the cross is not temporary but has achieved eternal salvation.
Third, completion of Redemption will be fulfilled at the second coming of Jesus Christ
Rev. Park writes, “God who began the redemption in the first coming will complete in the second coming. When the Lord returns, the dead in Christ will resurrect in their holy body and the living will transform to their holy body fulfilling complete salvation (1 Cor 15:51-54; 1 Thess 4:16-17). From the time Adam sinned, God’s history of redemption did not stop and it will be gloriously completed at the coming of the Lord.” I believe this is related to the revelation of salvation in the Bible.
Rev. Park’s sermons on Redemption Series are focused on the precious blood from the cross of Jesus Christ.

3. Revealing the Redemptive-Historical Sermon Model

A good example of a redemptive-historical sermon is a study on Moses’ death. Rev. Park believes that it is not just an assessment about Moses who guided the Israelites through the desert for 40 years as their leader, but about his frankness of not being able to enter the promised land because of his state of unbelief. Regarding Moses’ unbelief he writes, “Although God had clearly commanded that Moses bid the rock to produce water, Moses through his own stubbornness, struck the rock twice, thereby disobeying the Word of God (Num 20:8-12). His rebellion against God’s Word is equivalent to the sin of divination (1 Sam 15:23).”
However, Rev. Park does not stop with the historical and objective accounts, but connects this Word to Jesus Christ. In Exodus 17:6, God tells Moses to strike the rock, but in Numbers 20:8, He tells him to speak to the rock for it to pour out water.
Why? Rev. Park connects the historical text to Jesus Christ:
“The rock in Numbers 20:8 in Hebrew is ‘sela’ which means since it was a rock that already had a crack (more like a crag or cliff), it did not need to be struck by a staff but only spoken to.
This crack reminds us of the whole process in which Jesus was beaten, torn to shreds, and experienced wretched suffering till he had to carry the cross.”
Essentially, the continual evocation of Jesus’ cross leads the readers’ hearts only to the cross, making us tearfully confess how valuable and precious that redemption is through the cross of Jesus Christ.
“The brutal Roman soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head (Matt 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2, 5). When this crown of thorns, with thorns that were thicker than fingers, was so forcefully put on his head, these thorns pierced into his head so that His lifeblood was flowing all over. Blood from his head so much that Jesus could not even open his eyes. The Lord’s entire face covered in blood. Pilate and the Roman soldiers whipped Jesus to the point that not even one part of his body was left in tact. (Matt 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1). The ends of these whip had iron claws so that each time he was whipped, they tore into his flesh to the point that his bones were being revealed (Ps 22:14, 17; 38:3). They whipped his back so hard that it was as if they had plowed his back and lengthened their furrows (Ps 129:3).”
“Just the fact that God, who bigger and greater than all creation, came to this lowly, despicable earth becoming Immanuel and taking part of human history to find us is something for which to be thankful. Yet, He took it upon Himself to hang on the cross, allowing His holy body to be pierced so that his precious holy blood poured out, without even sparing one drop. Because of blood of the cross, we were redeemed and received forgiveness
for our sins (Matt 20:28; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18-19). He died on the cross and after 3 days, this resurrected Jesus Christ (Rom 1:4; 1 Cor 15:3-4) triumphs over our sins and judgment even now. Until we at last receive salvation, He continues to intercede for us at the right hand of God’s throne (Rom 8:34), so how can we express that love from our small mouths?

4. Doctrine of God’s image
Rev. Park's view on doctrine of God's image clearly coincides with Reformed theology. As shown below, he has expounded on the reformed view of the doctrine of God's image in the ethical, spiritual, and intellectual aspects; the human body which reflects God's image; and hegemony of the creation on the basis of Genesis 1:26-27.
Firstly, it is a moral image.
Ephesians 4:24 and Colossians 3:10 give a condensed view of what moral image is.
That man was created in God’s image means that he was created with true knowledge, true righteousness, and true holiness.
Secondly, it is a rational and intellectual image.
With man being created in God’s image, he came to have an upright mind, heart, and will. Accordingly, he came to perceive God immediately and also comprehend, feel and move quickly.
However, because of the Fall, man’s rational and intellectual image became marred. Now, through faith in Jesus Christ, those things have been recovered.
Thirdly, it is a spiritual image.
Because God is spirit (John 4:24; 2 Cor 3:17), Man, who was formed in God’s image, naturally also has a spiritual image. A person who has a spiritual image comes to have spirituality and immortality. However, through the Fall, man forfeited spirituality and immortality. Now, through faith in Jesus Christ, our dead spirits are made to live again.
Fourthly, the human body reflects God’s image.
As the human body is the vessel that houses the immortal spirit, it displays God’s image as a tool that rules over all creation.
This is the dominion over all things.
Some day, not only our souls, but also our flesh will be fully restored in all its glory (Rom 8:23). On that day of redemption, our bodies will transform into supernatural bodies that transcend time and space (1 Cor 15:49-52; 2 Cor 3:18). Then, God’s
Word that “this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Cor 15:53) and “who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Phil 3:21) will be accomplished.

5. Doctrine of the Covenant
With regard to the Doctrine of the Covenant, Rev. Park believes in the Covenant of Works and Covenant of Grace. Regarding redemptive history, he believes and adheres to the orthodox Calvinistic soteriology, which evinces that he is a man of God.

5.1 The Covenant of Works
After God establishing Eden toward the east, He placed Adam, representative of all mankind, there (Gen 2:8) and entered into a Covenant of Works with him. (Hosea 6:7). Right away, He told Adam “but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Gen 2:17). However, through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, the Covenant of Works established through God’s Word was breached.
5.2 The Covenant of Redemption
The Covenant of Redemption, established to redeem fallen mankind, was predestined before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4-5).
Because man could not keep the Covenant of Works, he was kicked out of Eden. Thus, in order to redeem mankind, God had to send his Son, Jesus Christ, who would enter into a new covenant with Him and fulfill that promise. In other words, Jesus Christ kept the Covenant of Works that Adam could not keep. God the Father required this from Jesus in order for this to be fulfilled.
First, through the coming of the woman’s offspring, He was taking on the form of humanity (Gen 3:15; Gal 4:4-5; Heb 2:11-15)
Second, by paying the penalty for our sins on the cross (Gal 3:10-13), Jesus Christ satisfied the righteousness of the law.
Because Adam could not keep the Covenant of Works, Jesus Christ came to die on the cross and through His blood, he fulfilled the righteousness under the law. Furthermore, He truly fulfilled all of the covenantal requirements (Heb 7:22; 8:6)
5.3 The Covenant of Grace
The Covenant of Grace is the covenant that God established with sinful mankind. Since the Covenant of Grace is the basis for the Covenant of Redemption, sinners can receive redemption and eternal life by believing in Jesus Christ. However, considering that redemption, which is freely given to us as a gift, has no other condition but believing in God (Eph 2:8), it is clear that the Covenant of Grace is based on God’s unilateral grace.
This means that faith and repentance, not our merits, that are the essential elements of the Covenant of Grace.

6. The Doctrine Regarding Conception by the Holy Spirit
I believe that Rev. Park is a man of God who believes, confesses, and testifies the Word as it is - that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.
“Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and in borrowing Mary’s womb was born.” In Matthew 1:16 it states “… Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.” If we were to follow the same format that has been repeated throughout Jesus Christ’s genealogy it should have been recorded as “and Joseph was the father of Jesus.” However, Matthew 1:16 breaks the fixed format and records that “Jesus was born from Mary.”
To say “Mary, by whom, Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah” is to reveal clearly that through God’s sovereignty, Jesus Christ was born from Mary and that there was absolutely no relation to Joseph’s bloodline or will.
Then, what is the reason for recording it in this way? First, it shows that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 1:18 it states “… when His mother Mary had been betrothed  to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit” and in Matthew 1:20 it states “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, the birth of Jesus came about as a result of the Almighty God’s direct intervention. Jesus was not born of a relation between Joseph and Mary but He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born having borrowed Mary’s body and thus has no blood ties with Joseph.
Secondly, it shows that Jesus has come as “the offspring of woman.” The “offspring of woman” that appears in Genesis 3:15 is Jesus Christ born from a virgin. This is why in Galatians 4:4 it states “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman…” Since Jesus Christ is the “offspring of a woman” essentially he has no “human father.” Jesus was not born of a relationship between a man and woman but was born from a virgin solely in being conceived by the Holy Spirit. He is our Savior and the “true God and true Man” being in the same nature as us while lacking the sinful character. Jesus Christ being the exception, all human beings are descendents of man. To say the offspring of man is to say that the origin and the principle agent of human is man (Matt 1:1-17; 1 Cor 11:8).
The descendents of man are all sinners (Rom 3:10), and are those born on this earth through human generative methods. However, Jesus is the offspring of woman, conceived by the Holy Spirit and therefore is not the offspring of man.
Thirdly, it shows that Jesus was born from the body of a virgin. Jesus being born from the Virgin Mary is the fulfillment of the prophesy in Isaiah 7:14. It prophesies “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” The “virgin” here in Hebrew is alma. In the Old Testament this term is used in referring to an unmarried young woman or in other words a virgin. (Gen 24:43 “maiden”, Exodus 2:8 “girl,” Song of Songs 1:3 “maiden”, 6:8 “maidens”) Furthermore, in the Septuagint, the Old Testament Hebrew Bible translated into Greek, “alma” is translated as parthenos (virgin) and even in the New Testament, Luke 1:27 refers to Mary as “virgin” (parthenos). This term refers to “a mature woman who has not had sexual relations with a man, in other words, a virgin.”

7. The United Praise of Theologians and Pastors Regarding Reverend Park’s History of Redemption Series
Thus far, Rev. Park has published books 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the History of Redemption Series. He says that several more volumes will be published. I think that this is God’s great providence. There are 21 theologians and pastors who have written commentaries and reviews on this History of Redemption Series and their positions are as follows.

Dr. Kyung-Bae Min (Honorary Professor at Yonsei University, Distinguished Professor at Baekseok University)
Dr. Frank A. James (President of Reformed Theological Seminary, Professor of Historical Theology)
Rev. Tae-Deuk Lim (Former Moderator of the Hap-dong General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Korea)
Dr. Young-Bae Cha (Former President of the Chongsin University)
Dr. Andrew J. Tesia (President of the Research Institute of Reformed Theology)
Dr. Jae-Yong Joo (Emeritus Professor at Hanshin University)
Dr. Tae-Hyun Kang (Former President of Hanil University and Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Dean of Jeonju Kijeon College)
Dr. Yeong-Su Ye (Former President of Hanshin University)
Archbishop Kwang-Young Jang (Former Chief Archbishop of the Korean Methodist Church)
Dr. Ki-Ho Sung (Former President of Sungkyul University)
Dr. Han-Ho Do (President of Korea Baptist Theological University/ Seminary)
Dr. Kyung-Pyo Hong (General Archbishop of Asia, American Pentecostal Assemblies of God)
Dr. Suk-Tae Sohn (President of Reformed Theological Seminary)
Dr. Yong-Gook Won (Honorary Professor at Anyang University, Honorary President of the Korean Archaeological Society)
Dr. Ho-Hwan Kim (Former Professor at Chongsin University and Daeshin University)
Dr. Ui-Choon Hwang (General President of the United Presbyterian Council UPC USA, President of America Evangelism College)
Dr. Seung-An Lim (President of Korea Nazarene University)
Dr. Chae-Woon Na (Former Dean of Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary)
Dr. Il-Ho Lee (Former Vice President of the Europe General Assembly, President of Israel Studies Center)
Dr. Hak-Jae Lee (Professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, Member of the Translation Committee of the Korean Truthful Bible)

Each of these people are renowned scholars and senior prominent figures in Christian and theological circles. Furthermore, they are figures of great influence in their respective denominations and seminary schools. The reason these people have written commentaries and reviews of the History of Redemption Series despite receiving criticism was that they placed their conscience and honor on the line in witnessing Rev. Park’s faith and the depth and soundness of the book.

8. The Correct Evaluation of Rev. Park Yoon-Sik

8.1 I believe that Rev. Park is a servant of God who concentrates wholly on prayer and meditation, and extensive and intensive reading of the Bible.
In the introduction of the 2nd book of the History of Redemption Series, Rev. Park writes, “I am only a sinner greatly indebted to our Lord’s great love and the gospel of the cross (Rom 1:14). For this reason, I prayed and vowed in my heart 47 years ago to pray for at least two hours and read the Bible at least three hours each day. By God’s sovereign grace, I have prayed and read the Bible to this day, without missing a single day. If anything has been accomplished through this inadequate servant, I confess that it was not the work of this eighty-year-old sinner, but completely the work of the Lord” (pp. 11-12). I think that there is much to be learned from this confession of his.
8.2 I believe that Rev. Park is a servant of God who asserts Calvinism and the reformed orthodox faith.
In the introduction of the 2nd book of the History of Redemption Series, Rev. Park reveals “I have exerted all my efforts in maintaining the orthodox faith by continuously studying Calvinism and the reformed orthodox theology taught by my predecessor of faith, Dr. Hyung Yong Park.” Rev. Park denounces neo-Evangelicalism, liberalism, neo-Pentecostalism, and also various heretics while maintaining a reformed orthodoxy. Furthermore, just by the fact that my insufficient books (Dr. Youngyup Cho’s entire collection of systematic theology) are being used as textbooks at the seminary school makes me all the more confident that the faith and theology of Rev. Park and Pyungkang Che-il Church and that denomination are on the path of Calvinism and reformed theology.
8.3 I have heard from the church congregation that Rev. Park does not have a personal bank account. He is a man of integrity even when it comes to material possessions.
8.4 His ministry has not been passed down to his sons.
All of the Reverend’s three sons lead a good life of faith in America and are elders with important roles at the church. Yet despite all of that he has not passed his ministry down to any one of his sons.

9. Things about Pyungkang Che-il Church to model after.
Firstly, it is a church that is faithful to the Bible.
Secondly, it is a church of one body in which the pastors and congregation have become of “one heart and one will.”
Thirdly, it is a church that gives glory to God through the blessed praise of the 4,000 member choir.
Fourthly, it is a church of thorough patriotism in giving a prayer service for the nation. Pyungkang Che-il Church conducts a prayer service for the nation every Thursday to pray for the country and nation.
Fifthly, it is a church in which the pastors take the initiative and set an example for others in cleaning the church starting with the bathrooms. Pyungkang Che-il Church is a pure church both inside and out. There is a bidet installed on each of the toilets at Pyungkang Che-il Church, the church is clean and even the congregation members are hygienically clean.
Sixthly, it is a church that does not have a church bus. I understand that the congregation carpool together instead.
Seventhly, it is a church that is affluent in good deeds. I understand that Pyungkang Che-il Church is a church that works in outreach to non self-supportive churches, missions abroad, assisting church workers, funding scholarships for seminary school students and other students, and giving aid to those suffering from poverty. And there are yet many other things about this church that I believe we could take example after. Of course all churches on this earth are incomplete churches.

We are a new creation within Christ.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Cor 5:17)
Source . March 25, 2011 Kidok (Christian) Newspaper

I.P.M.(The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions)
The Independent Board Presbyterian Foreign Missions is a worldwide conservative Christian missions board organized by Dr. J. Gresham Machen.