Ecumenical and/or Evangelical : Locating the Fivefold Gospel of Youngsan Yonggi Cho

Abstract

With the major shift in Christianity’s geographical center from north to south and west to east, it would be helpful to continue the conversation on what it means to be an Evangelical in the South Korean context. Part of our present understanding of Evangelical identity is based upon historical connections between churches in the United States and South Korea. Another aspect of discovering one’s shared history is by identifying theological roots, the very transmission of a faith confession or structure. By looking at the historical and theological landscape associated with Youngsan’s Fivefold Gospel, it is believed that Evangelical features are prominent with additional Ecumenical possibilities. In order to make a comparison between Youngsan’s Fivefold Gospel and Evangelicalism, we are using the Evangelical “quadrilateral” by David Bebbington. The four points are conversionism, activism, biblicism, and crucicentrism. These points will be lined up with the Fivefold Gospel, item by item, to see the relationship and how it reveals an Evangelical identity. The conclusion will offer a proposal of how the church which is Christ’s body and continues to bear the wounds of suffering and division (divided into rival camps: Ecumenical and Evangelical) can continue in dialogue and mission for the sake of unity.