[theqoo] 'JYP' PARK JINYOUNG, CULT CONTROVERSY ENTERS NEW PHASE; RELIGIOUS BODY REVIEWING FOR 'HERETICAL NATURE'

Although Park Jinyoung, the head of JYP Entertainment, as well as a singer and producer, has personally addressed allegations that the religious group he leads, "First Fruits, is a cult or heretical sect, the religious community remains skeptical.

According to a report by CBS No Cut News on the 22nd, the Presbyterian Church of Korea, one of the country's major Presbyterian denominations, is currently conducting a formal review regarding Park Jinyoung and the "First Fruits" group.

At the 108th General Assembly held approximately three years ago, the Busan Presbytery submitted a petition calling for a study into the "heretical nature" of Park Jinyoung; the denomination has since been conducting this study, which has included processes such as written inquiries. The PCK Tonghap denomination plans to present the findings of the study on Park Jin-young at its General Assembly in September 2027.

This development came to light shortly after Park Jinyoung personally addressed the religious controversies surrounding him.

In a video released on the YouTube channel "First Fruits" on the 19th, Park described his group as a "church with a solid foundation and a clear lineage," emphasizing that a denomination should be defined by its doctrine rather than the past affiliations of its members.

According to his explanation, "First Fruits" was influenced by Wesleyan Methodism regarding the means of attaining eternal life, while its interpretation concerning the possibility of losing that eternal life once gained was shaped by the fundamentalist Independent Baptist tradition associated with Peter Ruckman. Park Jinyoung asserted that the points where they differed from established denominations represented doctrines that First Fruits had begun to formulate anew.

In particular, Park designated their church as the "Gospel faction for the uncircumcised" and presented the group's interpretations regarding union with Jesus and the forgiveness of sins.

Public criticism from the theological community also followed.

In a column contributed to Christian Today on the 23rd, Dr. Sung Wook Chung, a professor of systematic theology at Denver Seminary, pointed out that Park Jinyoung’s views "seriously conflict" with traditional Christian faith.

Professor Jeong criticized Park Jinyoung’s explanations regarding the relationship between the Father and the Son, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, and the divine essence shared by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He noted that while Park does not claim Jesus is a mere created being, nor does his view perfectly align with ancient Arianism, there are certain structural similarities.

Park Jinyoung has consistently denied allegations of any affiliation with the Christian Gospel Baptist Church, a group often referred to as the "Salvation Sect". He explained that he does not belong to any specific church or denomination, describing the group in question simply as a Bible study gathering he started with friends.

At the time, a representative from the Christian Gospel Baptist Church also confirmed that Park was not a member of the denomination.

Although Park recently attempted to confront the allegations of heresy and cult involvement head-on, the religious controversy surrounding him has entered a new phase as the denomination itself conducts a formal review and theologians continue to voice public criticism.