About theology

From the Pastor to you:

Theology comes from the words Theo (God) and logy (study or logic), meaning “the study of God.” Yet theology itself can never be perfect, for no human reasoning or assertion can fully comprehend the greatness of the infinite God. Theology is a valuable tool for deepening our understanding of Scripture, but it remains a secondary source, while the primary source is always the Bible—the Word of God. Therefore, when a church teaches a one-sided or distorted theological view, it often results not in edification but in harmful bias and judgmental attitudes.

Within the evangelical tradition, it is considered spiritually healthy to honor a diversity of theological perspectives. Yet when one insists that a single theological system or tradition holds absolute authority, it risks straying from the very essence of faith. Evangelicalism encompasses a variety of theological schools, among which one of the most influential is Wesleyan tradition. Rooted in the conviction of the absolute authority of God’s Word, it seeks to spread Scriptural holiness and calls for a faithful human response to God’s grace. Wesleyan theology upholds the principles of free will and sanctification, emphasizing a life transformed by grace. From this tradition emerged the Holiness Movement, which highlights entire sanctification and the pursuit of holy living. Denominations that trace their heritage to this stream include the Global Methodist Church, The Salvation Army, The Church of the Nazarene, The Wesleyan Church, The Free Methodist Church, the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), and other Holiness bodies.

Another major stream within evangelicalism is Calvinism, also known as the Reformed tradition, which emphasizes God’s sovereignty, divine election, salvation by grace, and the perseverance of the saints. Denominations rooted in this theology include Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Interestingly, in Korea, the Presbyterian and Reformed traditions account for more than 60% of the Christian population. This historical predominance dates back to the early 20th century, when missionaries from Presbyterian synods in the United States and Canada first brought the gospel to Korea in 1882. Their strong organizational structure, commitment to education, and emphasis on evangelism enabled the church to grow rapidly, even during periods of social crisis such as the Japanese occupation and the Korean War. This Presbyterian influence later extended to Korean diaspora communities, which is why many Korean-American churches in the United States follow the Reformed tradition. In contrast, while Presbyterianism dominates in Korea, Methodism represents about 10% of the Protestant population in the United States, making it the second-largest Protestant denomination after the Baptists (12%). Meanwhile, Presbyterians and Reformed churches comprise only about 0.5%–1% of the U.S. population, indicating that the Reformed tradition has a comparatively smaller presence in the American religious landscape.

The Lutheran tradition centers on justification by faith alone (sola fide) and maintains a balance between the sacraments and the gospel, as represented by the Lutheran Church. The Baptist tradition emphasizes believer’s baptism upon personal confession of faith, congregational autonomy, and the supreme authority of Scripture—producing influential leaders such as Charles Spurgeon and Adrian Rogers, and represented by the Southern Baptist Convention and various Independent Baptist churches. The Pentecostal tradition highlights the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit, spiritual experiences, and evangelistic empowerment, embodied by denominations such as the Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal fellowships. Finally, the Evangelical Anglican tradition seeks to unite historic liturgy with gospel-centered faith, exemplified by Evangelical Anglican churches and leaders like John Stott and J. I. Packer.

In this way, the evangelical faith embraces a variety of theological traditions that coexist with mutual respect. The key is to hold firmly to the essence of the gospel rather than to any single theological framework. Theology must never replace or stand in for God Himself; it is only a means through which we may know and revere Him more deeply. To claim that one theological tradition alone is correct and all others are wrong is, in itself, a sign of a sectarian and heretical spirit. Even if there are minor theological differences, do not hastily belittle others. None of us knows how God may choose to use them. When Martin Luther broke from Catholic rules and married as a clergyman, people said his family would be cursed. Yet far from cursed, Luther had six children and built a joyful home. Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli were persecuted and branded as heretics by the Catholic Church, but their theology bore lasting fruit—spreading through Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Baptist movements, and even the Puritan revival. In contrast, figures like Hans Denck, the fanatical spiritualist; Jan Matthys, the radical millenarian; and Thomas Müntzer, who incited the German Peasants’ War, appeared briefly in the sixteenth century but soon disappeared. What is not of God inevitably fades with time. But when God’s hand is truly upon someone—when lives are transformed and revival breaks forth through their ministry—we must recognize it. To deny that God has worked through Reform tradition, Wesleyan tradition or Lutheran tradition is ultimately to deny the sovereignty of God Himself. We are called to complement one another as one body of Christ, journeying together toward the heavenly banquet, not wounding each other through theological pride.

The Reformation was not merely a reformation of theology; it was the outpouring of God’s reign into the world. The true test of discipleship lies in how much we love one another. Luther and Zwingli, who clashed fiercely over the Eucharist, and Wesley and Whitefield, who sharply disagreed over predestination and sanctification—perhaps in heaven they now embrace and laugh together, saying, “Why did we argue so much?” Being different does not mean being wrong. God calls us to fill each other’s gaps and together paint a fuller picture of His kingdom. Unless something is genuinely heretical, totally deviating away from the Truth of the Gospel, there is no need to draw swords against our brothers and sisters in Christ. Now is the time for all believers, across denominations, to love one another and unite for the expansion of God’s kingdom throughout the world.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Won Kim, the lead pastor of RockSpring Chcurch