Moralism and Divine Agency in Korean Protestant Preaching: A Heidelberg Sermon Analysis of Sermons on the Prodigal Son

Abstract

“Moralism and Divine Agency in Korean Protestant Preaching: A Heidelberg Sermon Analysis of Sermons on the Prodigal Son”

Chanyoung Choi McMaster Divinity College Hamilton, Ontario Master of Arts (Christian Studies), 2026

This thesis investigates moralistic tendencies in contemporary Korean Protestant preaching, arguing that they are significantly shaped by Confucian ethical frameworks, particularly filial piety. Focusing on sermons based on the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), the study examines how cultural assumptions influence the balance between human agency and divine agency in preaching. Using the Heidelberg Sermon Analysis method, supplemented by rhetorical analysis informed by Appraisal Theory, selected sermons are analyzed to identify how grace, repentance, and moral obligation are articulated. The findings indicate that moralistic sermons often frame repentance and obedience as prerequisites for divine favour, reflecting Confucian hierarchical and transactional patterns. By contrast, sermons that foreground divine agency present repentance as a response to God’s prior grace. This study argues that moralistic preaching risks obscuring the gospel’s emphasis on God’s unmerited initiative.