Straight White American Jesus White Evangelicalism + American Empire
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Sep 29, 2025 Dr. Helen Jin Kim, a historian and author specializing in the intersections of race, religion, and U.S. empire, dives into the complex history of White Evangelicalism's ties to Cold War geopolitics. The discussion reveals how American missionary efforts shaped Christianity's growth in South Korea while advancing neocolonial interests. Dr. Kim highlights the often-overlooked agency of Korean Christians, racial dynamics within evangelical history, and the enduring impacts of anti-communist narratives. A thought-provoking exploration bridging faith, politics, and identity.
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Korea As A Cold War Pivot
- The post-WWII era was both decolonization and U.S. recolonization in Asia Pacific.
- U.S. militarization and Cold War politics made Korea pivotal for American evangelical expansion.
War Opened Evangelical Routes
- The Korean War became the first 'hot' Cold War that secured U.S. military presence in Asia.
- That militarized presence opened routes evangelicals used to build trans-Pacific alliances.
Evangelical Institutions Went To Korea
- Major U.S. evangelical organizations like Billy Graham, World Vision, and Campus Crusade formed deep ties in South Korea.
- These ties helped fuel the explosive growth of Christianity in South Korea after mid-20th century conflicts.
