Resurrection and Church

By Kwon Yule-jung

Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian calendar. Unlike many Western countries that celebrate it, in Korea it is not marked off on the calendar. Actually, the meaning of Easter is not only lost on Koreans but also for many Christians. As far as a deeper understanding goes, many Christians are ignorant of the meaning of the day.

In the orthodox Christian world, Eastertide begins on Ash Wednesday, 40 days before Easter. The previous day is Shrove Tuesday. The two days are marked for symbolic penitence for all sins committed, whether intentionally or otherwise. The period of 40 days is known as Lent. Jesus Christ suffered all kinds of hardships and adversity before He was crucified. The fourth Sunday after Ash Wednesday is known as Mothering Sunday in England, the significance of which is not very unlike Parents Day in Korea. Well-educated and well-brought up children show their humble obedience to their parents by handing out cards emblazoned with beautiful pictures or special gifts in return for their unconditional and endless love.

One week before Easter, each day has special significance. Holy week begins with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus' riding on a donkey when he entered Jerusalem. The Savior was greeted with deep admiration and respect. The people in the holy city welcomed the Lord, waving palms. The plant is a symbol of peace.

Satan tried to tempt Jesus on many occasions. He successfully resisted all of them. Nevertheless, the King of Kings was betrayed and sold for just 30 silver coins by one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot. It reminds us of the frequent cases of betrayal in the secular world.

He washed the feet of each of his remaining 12 disciples one day before the Crucifixion. The day is called Maundy Thursday, one day before Good Friday. Some people in Korea make a gesture of washing the feet of criminals or of their juniors to follow Jesus' example. When I was assigned to work at Northamptonshire County Council in England, I came to know about the day from my favorite colleague, Anna. Korea's churches are barely acknowledge the day.

At last, Jesus Christ was hauled away to Golgotha on Calvary crucified with two criminals. The crucial event is marked on Good Friday. The Resurrection took place on Easter, marking one of the Holy mysteries in the Christian world, Virgin Birth and His promise to come to the world for a second time. Easter Monday falls on the first Monday following the full moon after the vernal equinox.

Easter's meaning is much more significant than simple historic records. On this auspicious day, Korea's churches are required to reflect deeply on what fundamental reforms they need to undergo in accordance with the spirit of Jesus' resurrection.

Korea's history of Christianity starts in the late 18th century with Catholicism and nearly one century later with Protestantism. Coincidentally, three American missionaries, Appenzeller, his wife and Underwood set their feet on Wolmi Island in Incheon on April 5, 1885 (Easter). Such an event could be interpreted as a Heavenly command that Korea's churches should fulfill the missions of the Resurrection.

During it's relatively short history in Korea, Christianity showed spectacular development by grabbing nearly one third of the entire population. In particular, Protestant churches mushroomed to number nearly 60,000 with 12 million adherents according data from Christian associations. However, the number of churches and churchgoers has declined in Korea since the early 1990's.

Korean pastors are notorious for their greed in expanding the reach of their churches and other affiliated property, indifferent to holy missions after they coerce church members to donate as much as possible in the form of tithes on birthdays, graduation, entrance into schools, new jobs and many holy festive days. They pile up wealth mostly for themselves, beyond imagination and common sense. They are blamed for the needs of social charities falling on deaf ears. They evade even minimal tax on their enormous income. Their massive earnings veiled by bogus missions is usually handed over to their children after they retire at 70 or 75, 10 or 15 years longer than other ordinary retirees.

In a nutshell, a very few Korean pastors leading the mammoth churches lack huge amounts of money. They also wield power by sacking junior pastors when they act contrary to their directives. Their autocratic power shows no restraint. There is no democratic means of check and balance in most large churches. They detest opinions different from their own because they are used to delivering their sermons in the pulpit unchallenged. They know that only they will know how much has been collected. The total amount of offerings, amounting to billions of won, is only known to the head pastor and financial trustees.

Not all Korean church leaders belong to this category, however. Most try to just make ends meet. Korean society is showing great fear toward extreme disparities in wealth, education, fame and so on. The most typical example may be different income levels and social status of Korea's Christian pastors.

Korea's churches are besieged not by many pastors, but by pests. Unless this is remedied, there will be no more development at all. Only the complete repentance and reflection of pastors for more fundamental reform, nearly the equivalent to the task of Korea's reformation, will be the best and foremost way for more desired Christianity.

Kwon Yule-jung is director of the management division at Daejeon National Cemetery. He can be reached at england6227@hanmail.net.