J.Y. Park addresses 'First Fruits' controversy, claiming 'clear lineage'

J.Y. Park, the singer and head of JYP Entertainment, has directly addressed the sectarian controversies surrounding the religious group he leads, 'First Fruits.' Having previously faced scrutiny regarding his religious identity due to reports related to the Salvation Sect, Park used a video lasting approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes to provide a detailed explanation of his group's doctrine and theological background.

In a video titled "What denomination is J.Y. Park's church?" released on the 'First Fruits' YouTube channel on the 19th, Park stood before a podium to explain the religious nature and doctrinal standards of 'First Fruits.'

From the beginning of the video, the topic Park raised was the question of "what denomination" he belongs to. He remarked, "There probably aren't many people here who came with a comfortable mind. Most were likely discouraged by those around them before coming. Especially those who attend church."

He continued, "Ultimately, you probably heard the question 'What denomination is it?' most often. This is likely asking if there is something shared doctrinally." He then emphasized, "We are, surprisingly, a place with a very clear lineage."

Park presented 'eternal life' as the criterion for distinguishing denominations. Asserting that "the standard for distinguishing any doctrine or denomination must be eternal life," he explained that people from various denominations and religious backgrounds are gathered in 'First Fruits.'

"Our church includes people from the Catholic Church, Presbyterianism, Baptist Church, and Shincheonji Church of Jesus," he said. "Just because there are people from Shincheonji Church of Jesus does not mean our church is Shincheonji Church of Jesus." He added, citing an experience of liking a drink produced by the Unification Church in the past, "I am not a member of the Unification Church."

The core point emphasized by Park is that one should not equate the past religious history of members with the current doctrinal identity of the group they belong to. His intention is that the mere fact that individuals from a specific religion or denomination participate in a group cannot define the entire group as that religion or denomination.

He then elaborated on his theological perspective that denominations should be distinguished based on 'eternal life.'

Park explained, "When distinguishing denominations, the two most important criteria are how they teach one obtains eternal life and whether one can lose it after obtaining it."

Regarding the view of salvation in 'First Fruits,' he stated that they teach it is "obtained through a mysterious and perfect faith received as a gift by those who have repented."

This explanation is noteworthy as it marks the first time J.Y. Park has directly explained the doctrinal identity of the religious group he leads. While the public has primarily perceived Park as a singer and a producer/executive who grew JYP Entertainment, his Bible studies and religious activities began to emerge as matters of public interest in the late 2010s.

Park's religious issues surfaced significantly in 2018. At that time, controversy regarding his religious inclinations spread following reports suggesting he had attended gatherings related to the Salvation Sect. Park refuted this, denying the allegations and stating he was not a member of the Salvation Sect.

Since then, Park has explained his process of faith formation through various broadcasts and interviews. He explained that after visiting Jerusalem, he began to study the Bible deeply, and the Bible study group he conducted with acquaintances gradually grew in scale, leading to the current 'First Fruits.'

In the past, rather than defining his group as a specific denomination or sect, he sometimes used the expression "religious study." At that time, when asked about the sect, he explained, "There is no sect; it is a religious study."

In this video, Park's direct mention of the doctrinal standards and spiritual lineage of 'First Fruits' can be seen as a much more specific self-definition than his past explanations. In particular, by repeatedly using the expression "has a clear lineage," he emphasized that his faith community is not an arbitrarily formed group but one that possesses its own theological basis and lineage.

However, a distinction must be made between Park's own explanation and the matter of judging the specific denominational affiliation or theological classification of 'First Fruits.' This is because the classification of religious denominations is not determined simply by the background of members or one or two specific doctrines, but must comprehensively examine the doctrinal system, confessions of faith, historical lineage, and relationship with denominations.

While Park also explained his own criteria for distinguishing denominations in the video, this does not necessarily mean his views align with the official classifications of the Korean Protestant community.

Nevertheless, this video is significant as it represents a long-form, direct explanation from Park regarding the religious questions that have surrounded him for years. Notably, while he previously described the group as a "religious study," he now operates it as a community named 'First Fruits,' openly sharing doctrinal stances on eternal life and salvation, signaling that his faith activities have evolved into a more systematic form.

As a top-tier singer and entertainment executive, Park has consistently shown interest in music, business, and Bible study. Following these public remarks, interest in the religious identity and doctrine of 'First Fruits' is expected to grow.