“Suffering ... Why Me?”: The Threefold Blessing and Manifold Sufferings in the Pentecostal Theology of Hope of Pastor David Yonggi Cho

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This essay suggests that Pastor David Yonggi Cho’s Pentecostal theology of hope, based on an ingenious Korean contextualization of the classical Pentecostal fivefold gospel and threefold blessing, is a creative synthesis of faith-based, hope-filled attitude that appeals to God’s promises for health and well-being while struggling amidst the calamities of life. Having been born in the aftermath of the sufferings of the post-war Korea, this Pentecostal approach to struggles of life represents an alternative to what is known under the umbrella term Minjung-theology, an option for the more liberal side of the Korean Protestant Church. While fully eschatological in its orientation, Pastor David Yonggi Cho’s theology also endorses the this-wordly aspect of a holistic salvific vision, including spiritual, psychological, and physical restoration as well as divine assistance in family, finances, and social life.
The essay argues that the many criticisms against the alleged prosperity gospel—type of faith proclaimed in the Yoido Full Gospel Church miss the target and do not adequately describe this contextual Pentecostal theology.
Based on a careful analysis of Pastor’s key sermons and writings available in English and engaging some other Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal theologians, a constructive Pentecostal theology of suffering is attempted for the sake of the Korean and global Pentecostal movement.

참고문헌 (Reference)

1 Cho, David Yonggi, "When I am Weak, Then I Am Strong: A Sermon Series, Vol. 3" Logos Co. 2003

2 Smith, James K. A., "What Hath Cambridge To Do With Azusa Street? Radical Orthodoxy and Pentecostal Theology in Conversation" 25 (25): 97-114, 2003

3 Ma, Wonsuk, "Toward an Asian Pentecostal Theology" 1 : 2009

4 Dayton, Donald W, "Theological Roots of Pentecostalism" Zondervan 1987

5 Anderson, Allan, "The Vision of the Apostolic Faith: Early Pentecostalism and World Mission" 97 (97): 295-314, 2009

6 Althaus, Paul, "The Theology of Martin Luther" Fortress 1966

7 Sollivan, Samuel, "The Spirit, Pathos and Liberation: Toward an Hispanic Pentecostal Theology" Sheffield Academic Press 1998

8 Mittelstadt, Martin W, "The Spirit and Suffering in Luke-Acts: Implications for a Pentecostal Pneumatology" T & T Clark International/Continuum 2004

9 Menzies, William W., "The Spirit and Spirituality: Essays in Honour of Russell P. Spittler" T & T Clark International/Continuum 141-149, 2004

10 Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti, "The Spirit and Spirituality: Essays in Honour of Russell P. Spittler" T & T Clark International/Continuum 150-163, 2004

11 Yong, Amos, "The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh: Pentecostalism and the Possibility of Global Theology" Baker Academic 2005

12 Kim, Sam Hwan, "The Question of Good and Evil in the Full Gospel Faith: A Study of the Theological Foundation for the Threefold Blessing of Dr. Yonggi Cho" Hansei University 281-294, 2002

13 Kim, Sebastian C. H., "The Problem of Poverty in Post-War Korean Christianity: ‘Kibock Sinang or Minjung’ Theology?" 24 (24): 43-50, 2007

14 Cho, David Yonggi, "The Fourth Dimension: The Key to Putting Your Faith to Work for a Successful Life" Logos Co 1979

15 Cho, Paul Yonggi, "The Fourth Dimension: More Secrets for a Successful Faith Life, Vol. 2" Bridge Publishing 1983

16 Pannenberg, Wolfhart, "Systematic Theology, Vol. 3" Eerdmans 1998

17 Cho, David Yonggi, "Suffering…Why Me?" Bridge Publications 1987

18 Dau, Isaiah Majo, "Suffering and God: A Theological Reflection on the War in Sudan" Paulines Publications Africa 2003

19 Anderson, Allan, "Spreading Fires: The Missionary Nature of Early Pentecostalism" Orbis 2007

20 Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti, "Schriften der Luther-Agricola-Gesellschaft 42" Luther-Agricola Society 1998

21 Louis, Gabriel Reuben, "Response to WonsukMa" 4 : 2009

22 Burgess, Richard, "Nigerian Pentecostal Theology in Global Perspective" 7 (7): 29-63, 2008

23 Volf, Miroslav, "Materiality of Salvation: An Investigation in the Soteriologies of Liberation and Pentecostal Theologies" 26 : 447-467, 1989

24 Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti, "March Forward to Hope: Yonggi Cho’s Pentecostal Theology of Hope" Hansei University 75-85, 2004

25 Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti, "March Forward to Hope: Yonggi Cho’s Pentecostal Theology of Hope" 28 (28): 253-263, 2006

26 Cho, David Yonggi, "March Forward to Hope: A Sermon Series, Vol. 2" Logos Co. 2002

27 Luther, Martin, "Libronix Digital Library" Fortress Press 2002

28 Warrington, Keith, "Healing and Suffering in the Bible" 95 (95): 154-164, 2006

29 Anderson, Allan, "David Yonggi Cho’s Pentecostal Theology as Contextual Theology in Korea" Hansei University 15-42, 2002

30 Menzies, William W, "David Yonggi Cho: A Close Look at His Theology & Ministry" APTS Press/Hansei University Press 27-42, 2004

31 Yung, Hwa, "David Yonggi Cho: A Close Look at His Theology & Ministry" APTS Press/Hansei University Press 69-93, 2004

32 Anderson, Allan, "David Yongg Cho: A Close Look at His Theology & Ministry" APTS Press/Hansei University Press 133-159, 2004

33 Bae, Hyoen Sun, "David Yongg Cho: A Close Look at His Theology & Ministry" APTS Press/Hansei University Press 161-177, 2004

34 Chan, Simon K. H., "David Yongg Cho: A Close Look at His Theology & Ministry" APTS Press/Hansei University Press 95-111, 2004

35 Lee, YoungHoon, "David Yongg Cho: A Close Look at His Theology & Ministry" APTS Press/Hansei University Press 3-23, 2004

36 Cho, David Yonggi, "Born to Be Blessed: Behold, All Things Are Becoming New" Logos, Co. 1993

37 Cho, David Yonggi, "A Call in the Night: A Sermon Series, Vol. 1" Logos Co 2002