“Exploring Yonggi Cho’s Thought and Ministry from the Perspective of Worldview”

Over the course of fifty years, Yonggi Cho achieved extraordinary church growth, ultimately forming the world’s largest church. However, he has also received considerable criticism about his teachings and ministry. One such criticism relates Yonggi Cho’s ministry to shamanism. Another, from a theological perspective, points to his association with prosperity theology. Yet others have argued that he ignores social issues and reform. For the last decade, however, theologians have attempted to appraise him more positively, attending to his practice of Pentecostalism, his contextualized ministry and the legitimacy of his biblical foundations.1 The purpose of this article is neither to criticize nor advocate the work of Yonggi Cho, but rather to enhance understanding of his thought and ministry by exploring his worldview. The author notes that past reductionist evaluations of Yonggi Cho have hindered us from viewing him accurately. By contrast, the worldview approach of this article enables us to gain a more comprehensive, balanced view of Yonggi Cho. One’s worldview is the lens through which one sees, interprets and copes with the world. The author’s thesis is that Yonggi Cho’s unique worldview anchors his theology, message, teachingand ministry. The author asserts that many of his contemporaries in Korea responded significantly to his worldview and consequent ministry to make meaningful sense of their lives.