주체사상과 기독교의 대화 가능성

A Possibility of Encountering Between the Juche Idea and Christianity

This study is an attempt to create a possibility to have a dialogue between Christianity and the juche idea. Due to the strong anti- communism in the South Korean Church, it has been very difficult to initiate dialogue between them. The juche idea is the ruling ideology of North Korea, and plays the role of a substitute religion. It dominates everything, including politics, economy, military, culture, social life and individual life. In order to understand North Korea, its society and its people, it is necessary to know what the juche idea is. It may help to prepare for reunification of Korea and the post reunification period. For an effective mission in North Korea, it is worthy to analyze the juche idea ideologically and theologically. Christianity and the juche idea have different worldviews and methodologies: while Christianity has a theocentric view, the juche idea has an anthropocentric idea. Christianity, particularly Reformed theology, has a God-centered view of history, whereas the juche idea has a human-centered understanding of it. Reformed theology believes in God's revelation and providence, but the juche idea pursues revolutionary practice for liberation. Although there are differences and disagreements between Christianity and the juche idea, we can discover similarities between the juche idea and minjung theology. The juche idea differs from Reformed theology, but is closer to minjung theology. Both the juche idea and minjung theology affirm that human beings are the subjects of history, and emphasize the struggle for liberation from oppression and exploitation.