The Importance of Preaching for The Transformation of Christian in Korea

201 Pages·2016·1.45 MB·English

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF DIVINITY

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREACHING FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF CHRISTIANS
IN KOREA

A Thesis Project Submitted to
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

BY
HO JUNG LEE

Lynchburg, Virginia
January 2016
Copyright © 2016 by Ho Jung Lee
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All Rights Reserved
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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF DIVINITY

THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET

B+
______________________________
GRADE

______________________________
Dr. Frank Schmitt
MENTOR

______________________________
Dr. David Hirschman
READER
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ABSTRACT

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREACHING FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF CHRISTIANS
IN KOREA
LEE, HO JUNG
Liberty University, School of Divinity, 2016
Mentor: Dr. Frank Schmitt

Korean Christians have had a problem with the transformation of their values and
life-styles following their conversion. This thesis project will attempt to prove that one of the
most important factors in the transformation of new believers, is biblical preaching. It will
further attempt to show that much of the preaching in Korea is non-Christocentric, and this is
especially ineffective in transformation. To produce transformation in new believers,
churches need Christocentric preaching. This thesis project will explore Christocentric
preaching’s historical background, principles, and importance. This project will also present
the advantage, need, and importance of doctrinal expository preaching, especially in the
background of the Korean church. Materials used include written sources and surveys of
Korean pastors and members from their churches. To summarize, this thesis project will
attempt to show the importance of preaching, especially Christocentric and doctrinal
preaching in the transformation of lives of new believers, and give some helps in preparing
and preaching these types of sermons.
Abstract length: 144 words.
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DEDICATION
Most of all
To my savior Jesus Christ, the Lord and God father, for your powerful love and grace
in my life, and faithful leading during studying to Liberty University Seminary,
especially, this project.
To my beloved wife Ju Young Park, for your dedicated endurance, prayers, and love during
the long theological research process in America;
To my respectful father, mother and mother-in-law, for your steadfast prayers, love, and
supports;
To my mentor Dr. Schmitt, for your delicate guidance and advices and encouragements to
carry out this thesis project;
To my reader Dr. Hirschman for your insightful suggestions;
Just especially,
New Vision Church in Korea, to senior pastor and members of adult and young adult group,
for your prayers, supports, and encouragement.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………. iii
DEDICATION…………………………………………………………….…………………. iv
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ………………………………………..……………...…… 1
The Statement of the Problem ………………………………………………...…….. 5
The Statement of Limitations ……………………………………………………….. 8
The Theoretical and Biblical Basis …………………...…………………………….. 9
A Statement of Methodology ………………………..………….………….……… 12
A Review of the Literature …………………….….……..………………….…..… 14
CHAPTER 2 THE NEW MAN IN CHRIST …………...………………………………..… 17
The Definition of New Man …………………………………..…………………... 17
The New Man in the Old Testament and New Testament ..……………………….. 21
The Korean Church …………………………………..………………………….... 24
Overview of History ……………………..……………………………….. 24
Problems in Korea Christian History ...………………………………...…. 31
The Influences of the Problems on New Believers …………..………...… 35
Solutions to Problems ……………..……………………………………… 37
CHAPTER 3 TRANSFORMATION OF NEW BELIEVERS …………………………...… 39
Transformation Methods that work ………………………...……………………… 39
The Condition for Transformation ……………...………………………… 46
The Experiences of Transformation and its Merits and Weakness ...……... 49
Church’s Responsibility in Helping New Believers to Grow ………………..……. 50
Church’s Responsibility to propagate to word of God …………..……….. 51
Pastor’s Responsibility in Helping New Believers to Grow …………...………….. 57
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Summary …………………………………………………………..………………. 64
CHAPTER 4 USING PREACHING TO PRODUCE SPIRITUAL
GROWTH OF BELIEVERS …………………………………………..………...………… 67
The Current Preaching Methods in the Korean Church ……………...……………. 67
The Textual Sermon …………………………………………...………….. 68
The Topical Sermon ………………………………………...…………….. 69
The Textual-Topical Sermon ……………………………………..………. 70
The Expository Sermon ……………………………………..……………. 70
The Theological Sermon ………………………………………...……...… 72
The Ethical Sermon …………………………………………...………….. 72
The Hegelian Outline ………………………………………...…………… 73
The Bipolar Preaching …………………………..………………………... 74
The Four Pages of Sermon Pattern ……………………..……………….... 75
Poor Types of Preaching …………………………………….……………………. 76
Not related to Biblical Text ……………………...……………………...…78
Based on Desires of Preacher ……………………..……………………… 80
Does not Concentrate on God ………………………………...…………... 82
Too many Illustrations ………………………………………..…………... 84
Sentimentalism ……………………………......………………………….. 86
Lacks Theology …………………………….……………………………. 87
Good Types of Preaching ………………………………………………………… 88
The Bible-Centered or Gospel-Centered Preaching …………………….. 89
Jesus-Centered Preaching ……………………………………………….. 94
Sound Doctrine Centered Preaching …………………………………….. 98
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The Practical Example of Good Preaching in Christian History ……….….…..… 100
Summary ………………………………………………………….……….…...… 108
CHAPTER 5 SERMON PREPARATION OF KOREAN PASTORS …………..……. 110
Survey on Preaching of Korean Pastors ……………………………………...…... 110
The purpose and Process of the Survey ……………………...………….. 110
Data Collection …………………………………………..……………… 110
Sampling Procedures ……………………………………………..……... 110
Participants …………………………………………………...………….. 111
Data Analysis: Need for Changed Christian ……………..……….……... 115
Data Analysis: Preaching Preparation and Preaching Style …………...... 118
Brief Summary on Survey ………………………………..…………...… 124
Helpful Guidelines for Pastors on Sermon Preparation ………..………………… 124
Paul’s Letters as Sermon …………………………..……………………. 124
Brief Summary or Paul’s Letters as Christocentric Doctrinal Preaching .. 127
The Book of Romans ……………………………………...……. 127
The Book of 1 and 2 Corinthians ……………………..………... 128
The Book of Galatians …………………………………...……... 129
The Book of Ephesians ………………………………..……….. 129
The Book of Philippians …………………………..…………… 130
The Book of Colossians ………………………..…………….… 130
The Books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians ………..…..……………... 131
Brief Analysis of Paul’s Letters ………..………………………. 131
The Importance of Doctrinal Sermons ……..…………………………… 132
Method to Preach a Christocentric Doctrinal Preaching ……………...… 136
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Summary ………………………………………………………………..….…….. 155
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION ……………………………...………..…………………. 157
Appendix A Consent Form ………………………………….……………………...………167
Appendix B Questionnaire …………………………………….……………….………… 169
BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………………………… 180
Institutional Review Board Research Approval ……………………………………………189

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