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영어

The purpose of this essay is to explore the redemptive-historical significance of the Sam-il Movement on March 1, 1919, on its 100th anniversary. It argues that the Sam-il Movement is a part of God’s saving activities for the oppressed people, and that the anti- Japanese independence struggle that lasted for 27 years was a body prayer analogous to “the outcry of the Hebrew slaves” who longed for liberation from the Egyptian bondage. This paper summarizes the significance of the Sam-il Movement and its impact on the 27-year long resistances against Japan in three aspects. The greatest significance lies in its contribution to the emergence of ‘the Republic of Korea’ where the people replaced the king or emperor in ruling the country. In addition, the Sam-il Movement was the forefront of the anti-imperialist union that was first realized in anti-Japanese independence movements during the following 27 years. Finally, while the Sam-il Independence movement failed in the short term, it has became a ‘canon’ to secure the legitimacy and sustainability of the anti-Japanese movements that continued for 27 years. The reason why this paper regards the 36-year long anti-Japanese independence movements initiated by the Sam-il Movement as a redemptive history led by God’s saving will and interest, is that they were carried out in the same pattern of the saving activities of God who intervenes in human history (the situation of oppression → outcry for liberation → redemption → renewal of the covenant). In this respect, this paper contradicts the understanding of the modern history of Korea that has been espoused by the New Rightists, which undermines the 36- year long independence struggles.