Holiness and Wholeness: Toward a Holistic Christian Spirituality in the Korean Syncretic Context

grantor: Emmanuel CollegeThis thesis is to explore how an authentic Korean Christian spirituality can be developed and deepened in the syncretic religious context. Its aim is to strengthen a distinctive Korean Christian identity through a holistic spirituality, which reflects upon a concern for wholeness and a desire for integration. It stresses "both-and" way of life that is integrative and inclusive, in contrast to a dualistic "either-or" way of life that sees things as irreconcilable opposites. The goal of this thesis is to move toward a spirituality centered in Jesus Christ, which is at the same time deeply inculturated into Korean life. It is the journey forward toward true holiness and wholeness. Therefore, this thesis proposes that Korean Christians must find ways to integrate the polarized Christian spiritualities that exist among them, and in doing so, must acknowledge and value Korea's own ancient syncretic heritage, which has sustained Korean people for many centuries.Th.D