Tao in the Bible of Korean Revised Version

Park, Seon Cheol; Park, Yong Chon

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
It is interesting that the term "Tao" is seen in the Bible of Korean revised version, because Tao is the essential part of traditional Korean culture. Korean culture has 5000 years of history rooted in the humanitarian ideal that means devotion to the welfare of mankind. Such humanitarian ideal had accepted, digested and finally recreated many religions and ideas without conflict. Because understanding the patient's culture is important in the psychiatric practice, it is worthwhile to compare the Tao in the Bible and in the traditional culture. This will lead us to understand the Bible more accurately, and understanding the Bible can broaden our view toward the traditional Korean culture.
METHODS
The authors searched the term "Tao" in the Bible of Korean Revised Version and compared it with the Biblia Hebrica Stuttgatensia, and Novum Testatum Graece to detect the original expressions of Tao. The meaning of Hebrew or Greek original expressions were compared with English expressions of The Holy Bible, the King James Version.
RESULTS
Tao was recorded 85 times in the Bible of Korean Revised Version. The majority of original expressions were "derek" (43 times) in Hebrew Old Testaments, and "hodos" (14 times) in Greek New Testament. The majority of English expressions corresponding to Tao were "way" or "ways" (59 times). "Derek" means the commandments of God. "Hodos" means the way of Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
"Derek" and "hodos" commonly mean the righteousness and sanctification required to human with the berith (testament) of God. Tao in the Bible of Korean Revised Version is similar to Tao in the traditional culture in the viewpoint of enlightenment. Korean psychotherapy can be elaborated further with the acceptance of Western psychotherapy on the basis of deep understanding of Korean traditional culture, such as Tao.