Earthly Heroes and Eternal Hope: Wrestling with Legacy as a Christian

As a Korean American, I grew up hearing stories of great Korean generals, kings, and warriors—figures who exemplified bravery and honor. Their legacies are a source of pride, shaping my cultural identity and reminding me of the strength of my people. But as I’ve deepened in my Christian faith, I’ve begun to wrestle with a troubling question: What is the ultimate point of their achievements if many of these heroes didn’t know Christ?

This struggle isn’t new. Early Church thinkers wrestled with similar questions about Greek and Roman heroes, like Hector, who embodied noble virtues yet remained disconnected from the gospel. In the same way, I’ve often felt a tension between honoring the accomplishments of my ancestors and the reality of eternal salvation in Christ. Can their earthly success, no matter how grand, really matter in the scope of eternity?

The statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is located at the street Sejongno, Gwanghwamun Plaza, Seoul, South Korea. It is dedicated to the 16th-century Korean war hero, admiral Yi Sun-sin.

From a biblical perspective, earthly achievements alone can feel meaningless when viewed through the lens of eternity. Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:26—“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”—remind us that even the greatest deeds cannot save a soul. This reframes how we view history’s heroes: no matter how much they contributed to national pride or cultural identity, it had no bearing on their eternal fates.

Yet, even with this realization, it doesn’t mean their lives were meaningless. God, in His sovereignty, uses all things—even those who don’t acknowledge Him—for His purposes. Proverbs 16:4 says, “The Lord has made everything for its purpose.” Just as He used kings like Nebuchadnezzar, who did not know Him, to carry out His will in Scripture, He has also used the great kings and generals of Korean history to shape the world in ways we may never fully understand. While not securing them salvation, their victories and legacies played a role in the unfolding of history and, in many ways, helped prepare the world for the gospel's spread.

This perspective allows me to find meaning even in the lives of those who may not have known Christ. God is sovereign over all nations and peoples. Korean history, with all its heroes and tragedies, is not an accident but part of His divine plan. While the ultimate value of a life is found in knowing Christ, these historical figures still had roles to play in God’s overarching story. Perhaps their legacies of strength and resilience were part of God’s provision for Korea to survive as a nation, allowing the gospel to flourish there in future generations.

“God is sovereign over all nations and peoples. Korean history, with all its heroes and tragedies, is not an accident but part of His divine plan. ”

Ultimately, the lives of these great heroes serve as a reminder to me of what truly matters. While I admire their courage and honor, their stories also point me to a higher calling. They show me that all earthly accomplishments are fleeting unless anchored in the eternal. My hope must be rooted in something far greater than cultural pride or historical achievement. It must be in Christ, whose victory is not temporal but eternal, securing a kingdom that will never fade.

In the end, the greatness of these historical figures, whether Korean generals or ancient mythic heroes, points to a deeper truth: all history bends toward God’s plan, and only what is done for His glory will last forever. Their stories inspire me to live faithfully in the present, but ultimately, my hope lies not in their legacy but in the eternal hope found in Christ.