David Jang
David Jang | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Education | B.Th., M.Div. Hanshin University M.A. Yonsei University Ph.D. Dankook University |
| Occupation(s) | Professor Theologian Minister |
| Religion | Presbyterian Christian |
David Jang (born October 30, 1949) is a Korean professor, Christian theologian and pastor. He has founded several Christian organizations, including Olivet University in San Francisco, Christian Today, Christian Daily Korea, and Christianity Daily in Los Angeles, CA. He is currently a member of the North American Council of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA),[1] the president of World Olivet Assembly,[2] international president of Olivet University,[3] and president of the Holy Bible Society.[4] Jang was also the 88th President of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Korea.[5] He has travelled around the world, including East and South Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America, advising churches, educational institutions and other Christian ministries.[6][7][8]
Career
Early life and education
Jang grew up in South Korea in a Christian family and was raised in the Presbyterian tradition. As a young man he spent much time in Bible study, vigil prayer meetings, and evangelism. He pursued theological studies at Hanshin University and received two degrees, Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) and Master of Divinity (M.Div.).[5] He also earned an M.A. in Communications from Yonsei University, and completed his formal studies with a Ph.D. in Public Administration of Social Welfare from Dankook University.[5]
While he was studying, Jang participated in mission and teaching, serving in campus fellowships and churches, and lectured in theology.[9]
Christian Today
In 2000, Jang founded Christian Today which came to have the most number of visitors among religious news websites in Korea.[10] Jang aimed for the media company to provide online in-depth coverage across all areas in Christianity,[11] encourage a spirit of unity and reconciliation within the church, promote international recognition of Christian culture, and contribute to global mission work.[11]
Olivet University
In the year 2000, Olivet Theological College and Seminary (OTCS) was established in both Los Angeles and in Seoul, Korea, which was held jointly with the Southern Cross College Korea Campus. Jang was a member of the faculty of Southern Cross College and the first director of its Korea campus.[9]
By 2004, the seminary expanded and incorporated into a university with five colleges - Olivet Theological College & Seminary, Jubilee College of Music, Olivet College of Journalism, Olivet College of Art & Design, and Olivet Institute of Technology - in the institution’s new home in San Francisco.[12] Dr Ralph D. Winter advised Jang on the relocation and expansion plan, and later served as the honorary chairman of Olivet University.[13][14] Olivet combines Winter's focus on training men and women in biblical scholarship and leadership with Jang’s emphasis on practical skills for preaching.[15]
The university moved into the former University of California Berkeley Downtown Extension Campus, near the Moscone Center in 2005.[16]
Other activities
In 2006, Jang handed over the presidency of the university to Dr. David James Randolph in order to concentrate on mission field work.[17] Jang continues to serve at Olivet University as a professor of theology and international president.
Since 2007, Jang has been a member of the North American Council of the WEA.[1][18] Also in 2007, he also began work with the Holy Bible Society whose mission is to make "the Bible more accessible to all people by using digital technology and the Internet, especially in unreached mission frontiers."[4] Over the years, he has engaged in discussions about helping to establish churches in difficult mission fields such as China.[19]
Criticisms and response
Criticisms of Jang have been raised in the last several years, such as accusing him of connections with the Unification Church or some people believing him as the “Second Coming Christ." Extensive evidence has shown that Jang belonged to the Unification Church in his youth, an assertion that has been affirmed by Japanese courts [20]. Christian media publications affiliated with Jang, such as the Christian Post, have attempted to refute these claims [21]. While some claims made against Jang have been ruled defamatory by courts in Korea and Japan [21], others, such as the fact that members of his church once believed that he was the "Second Coming Christ" have been supported by extensive reporting [20].
Personal life
Jang is married to Dr. Sarah Lee and has two sons. He considers the late Ralph D. Winter and Dr. Jang Sik Lee (Korean: 이장식) among his mentors.[22]
References
- ^ a b "Who we are, Governance". World Evangelical Alliance. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "About Us, Leadership". World Olivet Assembly. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "About the Founder of Olivet University". Olivet University. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ a b "About Us". Holy Bible Society. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ a b c "David Jang Profile". Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "Interview with Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe on his recent visit to China". World Evangelical Alliance. 2008-05-06.
- ^ "WEA Vice Chairman, Chancellor Meet in New Delhi". Olivet University News. 2008-02-14.
- ^ "Olivet University Representatives Tour Evangelical Institutions in Europe". Olivet University News. 2006-01-27.
- ^ a b "David Jang Bio". Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ Rankey.com, internet statistics firm: ranking of religious news websites in Korea, April 2014
- ^ a b
"회사소개". Christian Today Korea. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "About Olivet, History". Olivet University. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "Library". Olivet University. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "Dedication Service Marks Renaming of Library". Olivet University. 2007-09-11.
- ^ "About Olivet, Mission". Olivet University. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^ "Olivet University Public Statement to Recent Media Publications". Olivet University Seminary Blog. 2012-08-23.
- ^ "David Randolph Named Olivet University President". Olivet University News. 2006-07-04.
- ^ "WEA Welcomes Dr. David J. Jang to the North American Council". World Evangelical Alliance News. 2007-04-26.
- ^ Young, Eric (2009-11-17). "WEA, China Church Leaders Meet for In-Depth Talks". Christian Post.
- ^ a b Dooley, Ben (2014-05-01). "Who's Behind Newsweek?". Mother Jones.
- ^ a b Vu, Michelle (2012-08-17). "Sources in 'Second Coming Christ Controversy' Face Scrutiny". Christian Post.
- ^ "David Jang Mentors". Retrieved 2014-04-03.