Defconn's question to J.Y. Park resurfaces amid religious group claims

Singer J.Y. Park is drawing renewed attention as he personally explains the doctrine and identity of 'Firstfruits,' the religious group he leads, bringing back a question posed by Defconn on a broadcast six years ago. While it was a brief exchange on a variety show at the time, Park's recent specific mentions of their doctrinal lineage and name are shedding new light on the shift between his past remarks and current explanations.

On the 19th, a video titled 'What denomination is J.Y. Park's church?' was released on the YouTube channel 'Firstfruits.' In the approximately 1 hour and 12 minute video, Park directly addressed the allegations of heresy and cult activity surrounding the religious group he leads and explained the religious background and doctrine of 'Firstfruits.'

Park claimed that 'Firstfruits' is "definitely a church with a genealogy." He also presented the name 'Gospel Denomination for the Uncircumcised' in relation to the doctrine they are newly organizing. Rather than explaining it as a specific sect belonging to an existing denomination, his remarks suggested that they could attach a separate name to the way they interpret the Bible.

He also explained their view of faith regarding eternal life. According to Park, in 'Firstfruits,' eternal life is given as a gift to those who repent, and they understand this in connection with a mysterious and perfect faith. The video also mentioned their unique doctrinal interpretations regarding the relationship between Jesus and believers, as well as the forgiveness of sins.

As these remarks surfaced, scenes where Park previously explained his religious activities were also resurfaced.

On the August 12, 2020, broadcast of MBC's 'Radio Star,' Park explained the beginning and expansion process of the Bible study group he was conducting at the time. He stated that he returned to Korea after studying the Bible in Jerusalem and began Bible studies at home at a friend's request, and the group grew as the number of people wanting to participate continued to increase.

At that time, Park drew a clear line regarding connections to specific religious organizations or churches. According to an article reporting the broadcast content by SBS, he explained that it was a Bible study group "not connected to any organization or any church" and that they were doing it "among ourselves."

It was at this point that Defconn posed a question.

Defconn, appearing as a special MC, asked, "I am a Christian and belong to the Korean Methodist Church. What is your denomination?" To this, Park replied, "I have no denomination. We still do Bible studies among ourselves."

Although the Q&A was short at the time, the question itself was quite specific. It was not simply asking "Do you go to church?" but rather "Which denomination do you belong to?" Especially since Park was facing allegations related to the Salvation Sect at the time, it was perceived as a question directly verifying his religious affiliation on the broadcast.

Defconn is also a figure whose religious background is known. He has been introduced as a Christian Studies major at Jeonju University, and JTBC also lists his academic background as 'Christian Studies at Jeonju University.'

In fact, Defconn introduced himself as a "Christian" on 'Radio Star' at the time and even mentioned his denomination. Given that a broadcaster with a religious background directly asked Park about his denomination, the scene was considered an unusual exchange even then.

The controversy surrounding Park's religious activities surfaced in earnest even before that. In 2018, reports emerged suggesting he led rallies related to the Salvation Sect, to which Park countered that it was merely a Bible study group for which he rented a venue with his own money, not a Salvation Sect rally.

He also explained this issue directly on 'Radio Star' in 2020. At the time, Park said the group expanded as he began teaching the Bible to friends, and after he gained faith himself, he became more active in explaining it. He claimed that misunderstandings arose that he was acting as a member of a specific organization.

Because of this, his conclusion at the time was relatively simple: "There is no denomination."

However, six years later, the level of expression in Park's explanation has changed. While he previously explained it as a Bible study group not affiliated with a specific denomination, this time he explicitly referred to 'Firstfruits' as a 'church' and emphasized their doctrinal basis and lineage. Furthermore, he mentioned that they could even attach the name 'Gospel Denomination for the Uncircumcised' to the doctrine they are organizing.

Because of this, Defconn's past question has taken on new meaning. While Park answered "I have no denomination" to the question "What is your denomination?" six years ago, he is now providing more detailed explanations regarding his community's doctrinal identity.

Of course, this cannot be immediately interpreted as having joined a specific denomination or as a definitive change in religious character. A religious community's affiliation or status as a cult is not determined solely by the individual's own self-definition. Park also spent considerable time in the video denying connections to existing religious organizations while explaining the doctrines they have independently organized.

In particular, while the terms 'heresy' and 'cult' are often used interchangeably in daily life, they require distinction in religious and theological contexts. The judgment of a specific denomination's orthodoxy, sociological classification, and legal rulings are all different levels of inquiry. Therefore, rather than concluding the nature of 'Firstfruits' based solely on Park's remarks, it is necessary to examine what doctrines he is actually teaching, how they differ from existing Christian denominations, and how the religious community evaluates them.

Nevertheless, these remarks are noteworthy because Park himself has expanded the scope of his explanations regarding his religious activities. While he previously focused on denying organizational affiliation by stating "there is no denomination," he now refers to his community as a 'church' and discloses its core doctrinal concepts and unique names.

Ultimately, Defconn's question from six years ago has become more than a simple variety show moment. While Park answered "I have no denomination" at the time, he is now directly addressing the controversies surrounding his religious community by providing more detailed explanations of its doctrinal identity.

The debate surrounding Park's religious activities is moving into a phase that is difficult to explain through the single allegation of involvement with the Salvation Sect. As the individual has begun to publicly explain his doctrines and the nature of his community, interest is expected to shift from simple questions of affiliation to what he is actually teaching and how it differs from traditional Christian doctrine.