Re-imaging God in Korean Context

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/god-korean-context

Introduction

### Course Review: Re-imaging God in Korean Context If you're seeking a unique theological exploration that intertwines culture, spirituality, and contemporary thought, I highly recommend the course "Re-imaging God in Korean Context" available on Coursera. This course delves into the dynamic relationship between Korean cultural frameworks and theological development, making it an indispensable resource for students, theologians, or anyone interested in the intersection of faith and culture. #### Overview As the name implies, "Re-imaging God in Korean Context" provides a comprehensive overview of how theological methodologies have evolved within Korea's diverse cultural landscape. By the end of the course, learners will not only grasp the influences shaping Korean Protestant churches and indigenous theology but also gain introspective insights into their own perceptions of God relative to their cultural backgrounds. #### Syllabus Breakdown The course is divided into five thoughtfully designed modules, each shedding light on a different facet of God’s representation in Korea: 1. **Image Matters to Theology (and You)** The opening module sets the stage by examining the rapid growth and dynamic nature of Korean Protestant churches. It emphasizes a methodological shift in contemporary theology, moving from mere conceptual understanding to the more profound realm of human imagination. This foundational shift opens up exciting avenues for exploring various images of God within a Korean context. 2. **God as Father: Psychoanalytic Approaches to God-Image** This module offers a compelling psychological perspective on the formation of God-images, particularly focusing on the image of God as a Father. Drawing upon Freud’s psychoanalysis, the discussions lead to illuminating insights about how early parental relationships shape our unconscious perceptions of the divine. This is a crucial aspect for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of personal spirituality. 3. **God as Heaven: Korean Confucian Culture and God-Image** Diving into Korea's Confucian heritage, this module beautifully illustrates the concept of “Chon” (heaven) and its implications for understanding God. By analyzing the interplay between transcendental and immanent ideas, students will appreciate how these cultural roots have shaped the formation of God images in Korean Protestantism. 4. **God as Rice: A Dialectical Imagination of Minjung Theologians** This module highlights the innovative work of Korean Minjung theologians, specifically Kwok Pui-lan’s approach to biblical interpretation as “Dialogical Imagination.” The focus on rice as a central image illustrates the connection between faith and the socio-political context, underscoring how localized contexts can generate powerful theological discourse and invigorate social movements. 5. **God as Spirit: Where Pentecostal Spirituality and Liberationist Spirituality Meet** The course concludes with an exploration of how traditional shamanistic beliefs have influenced the healing aspects of Christianity through the Pentecostal movement. This module showcases the synergy between different spiritual movements and emphasizes a unified interpretation of God as Spirit, enriching the theological imagination across diverse cultural contexts. #### Recommendations "Re-imaging God in Korean Context" is more than just a theological course; it’s a self-reflective journey for anyone grappling with their understanding of God amid their cultural identity. The course is suitable for both beginners and advanced learners, and the engaging content is presented through a variety of multimedia resources, making it accessible and insightful. I recommend this course to: - Theology students seeking to broaden their cultural horizons. - Pastors and church leaders interested in contextual theology. - Those exploring the implications of personal backgrounds on their spiritual perceptions. - Anyone curious about the unique blend of Korean culture and Christian thought. Overall, this course offers a rich tapestry of insights and theological reflections that warrant serious consideration. Enroll in "Re-imaging God in Korean Context" today to empower your spiritual journey through the lens of Korean culture and beyond.

Syllabus

Image Matters to Theology (and You)

The chief goal of the course will be to understand a rapid growth and dynamic development of the Korean Protestant churches and indigenous theology by exploring various images of God in Korea. The first module will focus on an important methodological shift in contemporary theology from conceptual intellect to the human imagination.

The second module will discuss one’s formation of God-image as a Father with a comprehensive understanding of Freud’s psychoanalysis since many psychoanalytic theorists have argued that one’s early experience of parental relationship has an unavoidable, unconscious impact upon the formation of one’s own God-images.

The module 3 will examine the image of a heavenly God in the cultural context of Korea with the emphasis on Korean Confucian understanding of the "Chon" (heaven). Noting the collective (cultural) representations of the "Chon" (heaven), the interplay among transcendental and immanent images of God in the formation of the Korean Protestant churches will be discussed.

The module 4 will focus on Kwok Pui-lan’s proposal of biblical interpretation as “Dialogical Imagination” in which the Korean Minjung theology strengthens the power of theological imagination. This module will demonstrate how the immanent image of God as rice to the Korean Minjung theology became the central theme of the Christian social movement in Korea.

The last module will first examine how shamanistic beliefs affected the healing ministry of Christianity through the Pentecostal movement in Korea. The module will show that both the Korean Pentecostal group and the liberationist group can commonly interpret God as Spirit to be a fundamental base for their theological imagination.