[Shincheonji News] Shincheonji held a Bible test for established denominations. “Let’s stop the conflict and examine ourselves with the Bible”

[Shincheonji News] Shincheonji held a Bible test

for established denominations.

“Let’s stop the conflict and

examine ourselves with the Bible”

▎ 313 people took the exam in 11 regions across the country... Only one person from the established denomination attended.

▎ Shincheonji Church of Jesus asked, “One Bible, One God, let’s practice faith based on the Bible” 

▎ Shincheonji-Presbyterian Church set exam questions jointly. Suggesting the Bible Test 

Shincheonji Church of Jesus, The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Chairman Man Hee Lee, hereinafter referred to as Shincheonji Church of Jesus) held a joint Bible test with established denominations, aiming for stopping long-standing conflicts and condemnation of heresy between Shincheonji and established denominations and encouraging a life of faith based on the Bible.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus announced that they invite pastors of existing churches from 11 regions across the country, including Seoul, Suwon, Busan, Gwangju, Daegu, and Incheon, gathering together with Shincheonji Church of Jesus theology instructors and hold a 'Bible Test Challenge.'

This Bible test was conducted at the suggestion of Shincheonji Church of Jesus to stop conflicts between denominations, to check whether we are practice our faith based on the Bible before God and to check whether people are adding or subtracting the book of Revelation that we must know today so that we can check ourselves and have the right faith.

For fairness, the test questions were presented by two people: the director of the education department of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Church Assembly and a pastor from the Presbyterian Church. The test has a total of 10 questions and includes content of New Testament prophecy and the Book of Revelation. A total of 313 people took the test. (312 instructors from Shincheonji Church of Jesus instructors, 1 pastor from Full Gospel)

In order to hold the Bible test, Shincheonji Church of Jesus asked more than 30,000 pastors of existing churches in person or by mail to participate across the country. According to Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a total of dozens of pastors said they would take the test, but only one pastor who had served in the Full Gospel Church for 42 years participated.

This pastor said he was happy to attend, but at the same time expressed his regret over the significantly low attendance rate of pastors. He said “I don’t know I can say this, but we need to make an effort to meet together, but they gave up. If you promised, you should come. That part is upsetting. I will encourage my acquaintance pastors  to participate.”

A Presbyterian pastor who participated in setting questions for a test said “I prepared for this test with the hope that it would be a meaningful time to reflect on our faith once more while comparing each other (existing churches and Shincheonji).”

Shincheonji theology instructors who took the exam also felt disappointed, expressing their hope for exchanges with pastors of existing churches.

Son Yong-ho, a instructor at Daegu Church of the Thaddaeus tribe said, “There may be misunderstandings and prejudices toward Shincheonji, but we want to work together with an objective perspective, communicate and exchange, finding out what we can learn about each other.” An instructor Kim Su-jin, a senior lecturer at Pohang Church of the same branch, said, “I hope this becomes a way for us to coexist, hoping for heaven, talking and communicating in the same God, Jesus and Bible.”

 

Kim Woo-nam, an instructor at the Busan Church of the Busan James Church, also said, “I think that with today as an opportunity, the number of pastors who will take the exam together will increase. I also think that this beginning itself is important.”

An official from Shincheonji Church of Jesus said, “I don’t think it would have been easy for the pastors to respond to the Bible test offer. There were cases that pastors gave up on taking the test due to the opinions of those around them, and I understand that they had a lot of concerns. The purpose of the Bible test is not to find out who did better, but to humble ourselves before God and the Word, examine ourselves, and have the right faith. I hope that starting from this time, it will become more active in the future. Let’s become one through the Bible and coexist.”.