| dc.description.abstract | This paper describes the historical relationship between Taiwan’s government and the Taiwan Presbyterian Church, based on the “Three Declaration” statements announced by the church during decade of 1970. First of all, it shows the historical development of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, but it also discusses the Presbyterian Church’’s theological thinking, spiritual beliefs, country’s theology trend and organization structures. In addition, it analyzes the interaction between the Presbyterian Church and the state power of each period before published the Three Declarations. Finally, it further analyzes and discusses the background, procedures, reflection and the evolution of the relationship between Church and State.
Since mid of the 19th century to date, the Presbyterian Church has been doing the missionary works more than 140 years. It has passed through the period of Manchu Government, the Japanese government and the government of the ROC. During these periods, it’s not only dedicated to spread the religion among people, but it also helps in the area of health care, education and other social services such as care to indigenous people. But the most attention by the outside world to the Presbyterian Church, it’s the three political Declarations announced in 1970. The publishing of these three major Declaration, is to let the Church to start the political participation, and changes the relationship between the Presbyterian Church and the State.
The most influencing factor causing the changes in the relation between the Presbyterian Church and the Government was the transformation of the international diplomatic situation. In the 70s decade, Taiwan faced a dilemma that caused a great impact to the society and the politic, and from that moment, the Presbyterian Church not only worried about missions, social services, but also started to emphasize its political concern in the nation’s situation and the Country’s international issues. It is then that the Three political Declarations are published. However, the Church’s view differed from that of the Government, causing tension between both parties and leading to the society’s distrust and critiques.
Facing pressure from the authorities and the society’s critiques, the Church decided to clarify and to respond, and not to submit. They insisted in the claim for the Three Declarations and the original decision made by the Church. Even thou the relation between the Church and the Authority continued to worsen, it continued to maintain the Christian’s beliefs, to expand the spirit of theThree Declarations, the society issues and the politic of Taiwan.
| en_US |