A Reformed perspective of the Presbyterian Church in Korea's adoption of their "Twelve Articles of Faith" in 1907

Abstract

Reformed churches (including the Presbyterian Church) have regarded themselves as confessional churches. They have represented through their confessions what they believe and what they should do. In this regard, the adoption of a confession is a very important issue that determines the identity of the church. The first presbytery meeting of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK), which was established in 1907, adopted "the Twelve Articles of Faith (TAF)" as their standard of faith. Since then, however, the PCK has not been built up with a clear identity as a Reformed Presbyterian Church. The reason is that, from its beginnings to the present, the PCK has been indifferent to their confessions (TAF, Westminster Confession of Faith [WCF]), and the confessions have been a mere formality which practically plays a small role in the PCK. Given this context, this study evaluated the justification of the PCK's adoption of the TAF in 1907 from a Reformed perspective on confessions of faith. To achieve this aim, the study investigated the historical background and motivations of the PCK's adoption of the TAF in 1907. In this process, the leading figures whose thinking was the basis of its adoption were also examined. As a foundation for the evaluation, the study conducted an investigation into the Reformed perspective on confessions of faith, and examined the theological tendency of the TAF through the analysis of the structure and content of the TAF. This study aimed to contribute to rediscovering the meaning and value of confessions as a precious heritage in the Reformed tradition, and to stimulating the restoration of this confessional heritage as a solution to the various problems and confusions in the PCK that are currently caused by the loss of identity as a Presbyterian Church.