Yonggi Cho's Understanding of the Holy Spirit

This thesis investigates Yonggi Cho's conception of Seongnyeong Undong (the Holy Spirit Movement: HSM) in his pastoral ministry activity at the Yoido Full Gospel Church (YFGC) in Korea. First of all, it examines how Cho's HSM developed at the YFGC from an historical perspective. Secondly, it discusses Cho's main theology and investigates this theology from a systematic theological perspective. Thirdly, it focuses on Cho's belief and practice from a practical, theological perspective. Some scholars say that Cho's theology, belief and practice, particularly of material blessings and Sinyu (divine healing) in his ministry, are similar to those in Korean shamanism. However, other scholars argue that his theological ideas came from the Bible and western theological doctrines and Westerners. The present study assesses these different arguments and concludes that Cho tried to base his theological ideas and his ministry activity on biblical foundations rather than on shamanistic and other Korean traditional cultures, even if he used Korean terms to describe them. The study is mainly based on literary research and is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the overall focus of the study. Chapter 2 examines the life and ministry of Yonggi Cho, and the development of Yonggi Cho's understanding of the HSM in his pastoral care since 1958. Using a historical theological method this chapter also shows how Yonggi Cho developed the HSM at the YFGC in his ministry through his written work. Chapter 3 deals with Yonggi Cho's theological background and his core theology — how he understands the HSM, and the root of HSM from systematic theological perspectives. It shows where his main theology came from on the basis of evidence provided in his numerous writings. Chapter 4 emphasises Yonggi Cho's understanding of the Holy Spirit (HS) in his belief and practice. It shows where his belief and practice came from, and discusses what his main belief and practices are from practical theological views. Chapter 5 concludes the study. Three main conclusions are drawn with regard to the 1) historical theological, 2) systematic theological, and 3) practical theological perspectives on Yonggi Cho's understanding of the HS. The thesis concludes that Cho was much more influenced by biblical and western understandings than he was by shamanism or by other Korean traditions, even though he borrowed words from their language