칼뱅의 아디아포라 사상 고찰

Abstract

This study examines the adiaphoristic thought of John Calvin, which was the most prominent reformer, in the sixteenth century Reformation. Historically Calvin was imprinted as a negative image, such as dictator, strict theologian, and pronoun of intolerance. But these standardized image is formed through a fragmentary aspect about Calvin. His works emphasizing freedom of adiaphora in non-essential things show that Calvin had a flexible thought and tolerant attitude. The main object of this study is to find essential principles for the union and concord of the Korean Church which is at risk because of fragmentation and opposition today by studying and applying adiaphoristic thought from a new perspective. I first examined the study on Calvin’s adiaphora, and then studied what term Calvin used as the concept of adiaphora, and looked at the subjects that influenced the formation of Calvin's concept of adiaphora in two categories: philosophy and church history. In philosophy, ancient Stoic philosophy, and in church history, the fathers of the ancient church and fellow Reformers in the sixteenth century influenced the formation of Calvin's adiaphora. And I suggested that Calvin did not recognize the concept of adiaphora only ideologically, but applied it to specific theological themes such as the ceremony, the status of women, and the political system of the church. Calvin said that external norms and ceremonies other than the essence of faith, such as justification, worship, and salvation, were not explicitly mentioned in the bible, so they should be practiced freely according to the circumstances of the times and the church. Calvin also considered that the public leadership of women was acceptable in critical or special cases. In addition, Calvin, who preferred the elder system, did not argue that only the elder system was the correct system, but tolerated the supervisory system. Finally, I emphasized that adiaphora should be within the limits of love, order, and decorum. Based on this study, I hope that Calvin's adiaphoristic thought will be discussed in more deeply in Korean churches, and will be an important basis for the union and concord as they are specifically applied in theology and pastoral fields.