공공성의 공간으로서 ‘교회-되기’를 위하여: 비혼여성 문제를 중심으로

Abstract

This study is about ‘empowering the church’ as a public domain which indicates that the church is a space of public spirits. The article addresses the problem of the loss of empowerment in the church due to the Christian culture in which the authoritative majority has been dominant, a dynamic which effectively closes the place to others. Korean churches have continuously engendered a family ideology that is influenced by a patriarchal Christian culture. In this situation, the minority groups of the church have been suppressed other groups such as unmarried women by patriarchal oppression. However, understanding this and other groups such as other types of families is necessary because the numbers of diverse types of families, such as a single-parent families, are skyrocketing. Jesus comforted minorities and gave the suppressed women the joy of liberation. Thus, the Ecclesia-Church, which succeeds in embodying the spirit of Jesus Christ, needs to become a public place that gives minorities liberation.<BR> This study aims to restore the spirit of the church as the public domain that helps unmarried women and other minorities to build their genuine identity as members of the church. First, we discuss the authentic meaning of ‘public spirit’ and explore how to recover it. Next, we discover how the today’s churches play a spatial role for minorities, especially unmarried women. Consequently, I hope that this study contributes to restoring Jesus Christ’s gospel offering salvation to minorities, which will, in turn, help to empower the church.