Shincheonji Church of Jesus

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Shincheonji Church of Jesus

신천지예수교증거장막성전
Abbreviation	SCJ
Founder	Lee Man-hee
Founded at	South Korea
Type	Christian new religious movement
Headquarters	Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Region served	Worldwide
Official language	Korean
Chairman	Lee Man-hee

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Korean: 신천지예수교증거장막성전), commonly known as Shincheonji Church of Jesus or simply Shincheonji, is a Christian new religious movement established in South Korea by Lee Man-hee on March 14, 1984. The name "Shincheonji" is derived from the Korean words for "new heaven and new earth" (신천지), a reference to the Book of Revelation.

Beliefs

Shincheonji Church of Jesus teaches that Lee Man-hee is the Promised Pastor mentioned in the Bible, who will lead 144,000 adherents to salvation. The church emphasizes the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation and believes that the Second Coming of Christ has already occurred in a spiritual sense. Members are taught to interpret the Bible through a series of Bible study courses that are unique to the church.

Organization

The church is organized into 12 tribes, each named after one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Each tribe is led by a tribe leader who oversees the activities and administration of the church members within their jurisdiction. The headquarters of Shincheonji is located in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

Controversies

Shincheonji has been the subject of various controversies, particularly in relation to its secretive nature and aggressive proselytizing tactics. The church has been accused of cult-like behavior and has faced legal issues in several countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the church came under scrutiny when a large outbreak was traced back to its members, leading to widespread criticism and legal action against its leaders.

Activities

Shincheonji is known for its extensive evangelism efforts, both in South Korea and internationally. The church conducts regular Bible study sessions, worship services, and large-scale events. It also engages in various charitable activities and community service projects.

See also

• Christianity in South Korea
• New religious movement
• Lee Man-hee