ABSTRACT
Syngman Rhee’s government was often called a “Christian Government.” Protestant adherents helped him become the first president of the Republic of Korea; Rhee, in turn, offered many privileges to them. Thus, the Protestant Church was inseparably linked to Rhee’s political destiny. During his twelve-year term, Protestants churches grew rapidly, and Protestants became the mainstay of government. As churches grew, internal conflicts occurred, resulting in schism. Some were theological, but others were political. The theological tug-of-war in global Christianity exacerbated the situation. Nevertheless, denominations made sincere efforts to expand and grow.
