A Korean Witness in the Bible Belt: Race and Evangelicalism in Yun Ch’i-Ho’s Diary

This study examines the experiences of Yun Ch’i-ho, a Korean intellectual and devout Christian, as a rare non-Western observer of Southern evangelicalism in the late 19th century. Through a close reading of his diary from his years at Vanderbilt University (1888–1891), this research investigates the intersections of race, religion, and theology in the American South during the post-Reconstruction era. Yun documented key theological debates, racial prejudices, and the contradictions within Christian philanthropy, exposing the moral and social tensions that defined Southern evangelicalism. His reflections on Black churches, white evangelical attitudes, and theological doctrines reveal the complexities of faith and racial hierarchy in the 19th century America. The study finds that while Yun criticized the hypocrisy and secularization of Southern clergy, he remained committed to Christianity’s moral and spiritual power, believing in its transformative potential to guide modernization. Ultimately, this research concludes that Yun’s writings offer a critical perspective on the enduring challenges of racism, theological uncertainty, and the role of Christianity in shaping both individual and broader historical developments. His observations provide valuable insights into the ways in which evangelicalism both influenced and was influenced by socio-political contexts.

Duke Scholars

Author Jooyoung Hong