연희전문의 역사와 학풍을 통해 본 기독교대학의 정체성

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the historical mission of Christian universities in Korea's modern and contemporary history, focusing on the history and academic traditions of Yeonhee College, the predecessor of Yonsei University. In addition, through this, it is intended to macroscopically reflect on the meaning and content of Christian education that Korean Christian universities facing various crises should have. Horace Grant Underwood (1859-1916) and Oliver R. Avison (1860-1956), during the patriotic enlightenment period at the end of the Chosun Dynasty, established modern higher education that could replace the crumbling feudal order through university education based on the Christian spirit. They established an interdenominational Christian university based on the ecumenical spirit, and wanted to provide equal educational opportunities to Chosun, which was captivated by the feudal status order. During this period, the person who established Christian liberal arts classes and chapels in Yeonhee College was missionary Harry A. Rhodes (1875-1933), who studied theology at Princeton University in the United States. He made Bible education and chapels possible, which were impossible to operate as regular subjects under the Private School Law of Japanese Government-General of Korea. Since then, Yeonhee's nationalistic academic style based on the Christian spirit was naturally formed around Jeong In-bo, Choi Hyeon-bae, Baek Nak-jun, and Baek Nam-un. This anti-Japanese nationalistic academic tradition had a profound influence on Yoon Dong-ju, who entered Yeonhee college in 1938. Yoon Dong-ju can be said to be a representative figure that symbolizes the Christian spirit of Yeonhee College. The history and academic tradition of Yeonhee College, which began as a Chosun Christian University, can provide a valuable precedent for how Christian higher education can merge with the history of the nation to Christian universities in Korea.