Abstract

Daesoon Jonghak refers to the study based on Daesoon Jinrihoe. This term was coined in 1994 when the department was established in Daejin University. The English translation for Daesoon Jonghak, ‘Daesoon Theology’ has been used since the 21st century. However, this paper carefully examines its validity regarding that term. An attempt to using the word, ‘theology’ to explain about the study of Daesoon Jinrihoe does not seem appropriate. The word, theology, has had Christian identity as a proper noun for far beyond 1,700 years until now. A few cases related to studies of various religions have used the term, ‘theology,’ since the late 20th century. Nevertheless, it is the phenomenon that has reflected the intention to perceive other religions in the Christian perspective and interest under the target of intensifying Christian doctrines. Accordingly, as for the researchers of Daesoon Jinrihoe, if not considering Christian theology as the absolute norm, they should not transliterate Daesoon Jonghak into Daesoon Theology. This paper suggests transliterating Daesoon Jonghak into Daesoon Studies. That is because the term emphasizes not only its academic accomplishments, but also finds the possibility to carry out multidisciplinary researches. Such transliteration depicts that Daesoon Studies should have goal and direction as follows: first, Daesoon Studies is the hermeneutic learning that systematically and reasonably approaches the belief of Daesoon Jinrihoe as well as explains and understands it. In the religious world of Daesoon Jinrihoe, Daesoon Studies aims for the scientific research by means of objective and inductive methods. In addition, it pursues multidisciplinary researches and actively communicates with religious studies.