While living in Korea for four years, I studied the Korean system of position in the family. The system is built into the language. To call someone, you can't say "hey you!" You say hyungnim (older brother) or whatever the word is for your relationship. I have a book that lists 115 different words to address different family relationships. In English we may say brother-in-law, but in Korean the distinction is made between the husband of your elder sister and your younger sister. Americans say uncle but in Korean the distinction is made between the father's side and the mother's side and whether they were an elder brother or younger brother. Even outside the family you address a man on the street as "uncle" or a married lady working in a store as "aunt."

I lived with a Korean family for two years in their home as a part of their family and was called by my family relationship name by them and called them by their relationship to me. I totally admire this system. Beyond that I can confess and surrender that this system is right. This system has several good points from a heavenly view.

First, Order: Relationships and responsibilities are clear and respected. The family four position foundation and the expansion of those relationships beyond the family level are part of the language, culture and social understanding. This helps keep a principled order from the family to the national level. Family relationships are object to the order of God, rather than having individuals being subject over what kind of relationships they want and for how long, and with whom.

Second, Value: Because of this, people respect them selves and each other more because they view people, not as isolated individuals, but as a part of a family, clan, and tribe. Even in American news reports there is a difference in the significance of the death of a homeless person with no family, and the death of a family man who was respected in his community.

Third, Clearness and closeness: The most surprising thing is how close I feel to others when I speak Korean Language. We say the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. When we straighten out the lines of our relationships true intimacy can exist. There can be trust and openness when the right order is established, when trust will not be violated and position not abused.

English does not have the words to express the depth and feeling of relationships. To compare Korean to English is like comparing the words "this person is my sibling" to the words "he is my brother."

One problem in our movement is that the kinds of position that many Oriental members have taught us about have nothing to do with family. The positions they taught us about are: Leader, Minister, Company president, Vice president, Manager, not about family positions. In fact, the family life of some of the Oriental members is not a good example for members at all.

The emphasis on position (when it applies to the family) is the greatest strength of oriental cultures. However when this tradition is applied to government, business, and church, there is a great deal of trouble.

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