Reconceptualizing the Cross (repost)

Reconceptualizing the Cross: Love, Justice, and the Critique of Penal Substitution in The Passion of the Christ

Yung Suk Kim, PhD

This essay critiques the traditional doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement by examining the theological and cultural impact of Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ. It argues that the film's hyper-violent, substitutionary framework obscures the broader socio-political realities and systemic evils that orchestrated Jesus’s crucifixion. By contrasting Gibson's specific theological narrative with the diverse perspectives found in the canonical Gospels—particularly Luke's depiction of Jesus as a prophetic martyr for justice—and the historical context of first-century Judea, the paper challenges the notion that salvation necessitates transactional brutality. Furthermore, it highlights the ethical dangers of conflating such theological storytelling with historical fact, most notably the risk of perpetuating anti-Semitism. Ultimately, the essay reconceptualizes the cross not as a glorification of suffering or divine punishment, but as a stark exposure of worldly injustice and an enduring testament to Jesus's radical gospel of love, grace, and reconciliation. See the full post.

A new book project on Christian Ethics

From Text to Telos: Relational Flourishing at the Crossroads

Yung Suk Kim, PhD

For over two decades, my primary academic discipline has been New Testament studies. My scholarly endeavors have centered on the critical examination of ancient manuscripts, the rigorous analysis of Greek syntax, the reconstruction of historical contexts, and the theological exegesis of the Jesus tradition and the Pauline corpus. I maintain a profound intellectual commitment to the biblical text and the disciplined labor of historical-critical exegesis.

However, a retrospective analysis of my publications and scholarly trajectory reveals that my biblical scholarship has never functioned as a detached, purely antiquarian exercise. Rather, my hermeneutical approach has been consistently contextual, oriented toward questions of justice and societal transformation. My exegetical work has thus invariably been underpinned by rigorous ethical inquiry.

Increasingly, I have come to the conviction that biblical scholarship must extend beyond the ancient horizon. While historical reconstruction remains vital, the ultimate demand the text imposes upon its readers is not merely historical—what did it mean in antiquity?—but deeply moral: how are we to conduct our lives in the contemporary world? This inquiry inevitably necessitates a transition into the discipline of Christian ethics.

Traditionally, Christian ethics has frequently been governed by deontological frameworks and abstract legalism—systems defined by boundary maintenance and prescriptive mandates. Yet, reflecting upon my academic background, my executive tenure across Latin America and Asia, and my transnational lived experience in South Korea, Panama, and the United States, I have recognized that my ethical orientation is fundamentally teleological. In this paradigm, ethics is not constrained by rigid parameters; rather, it is directed by telos—the ultimate purpose, culmination, and fulfillment of human existence. I contend that this purpose is best defined as relational flourishing across diverse boundaries.

Moving Beyond Western Individualism

A significant limitation of standard texts in Christian ethics is their reliance upon Eurocentric frameworks that conceptualize the moral agent as an autonomous, atomized individual. Human ontology, however, is fundamentally interconnected. Whether one engages the Pauline ecclesiological vision of the Body of Christ or draws upon East Asian philosophical traditions—such as the Confucian concept of Ren (co-humanity) and the Daoist principle of alignment with the Dao—a more profound anthropological truth emerges: full humanity is realized exclusively through relationality.

Viewed through this teleological lens, boundaries—be they ethnic, cultural, generational, or geographical—cease to function as mechanisms of exclusion. Instead, they operate as crossroads: sacred spaces of encounter that facilitate our collective navigation of a fragmented global landscape.

What to Expect from This Project

This theoretical synthesis has catalyzed my current book project: Christian Ethics at the Crossroads: Relational Flourishing in a Global World.

Within this volume, I endeavor to bridge disciplines and paradigms that are too frequently bifurcated:

Praxis and Exegesis: 

• The integration of rigorous, justice-oriented New Testament scholarship with lived moral praxis.
• Cross-Cultural Synthesis: The conceptual dialogue between Greek biblical motifs (telos, hodos, koinōnia, leitourgia) and East Asian philosophical categories (Ren, Dao, Li, Shu).
• Applied Theology: The application of theological anthropology to concrete global imperatives, encompassing transnational migration, ecological interdependence, economic equity, and the ethical dimensions of international commerce.

Authoring a comprehensive text in Christian ethics represents a deliberate transition into a distinct disciplinary sphere. Yet, synthesizing my background in contextual biblical hermeneutics and cross-cultural leadership, it is a natural progression. Ethics ultimately concerns the art of living well—not in isolation, but in right relationship with the divine, the neighbor, the stranger, and the broader creation.

I anticipate utilizing this forum to share subsequent theological reflections, applied case studies, and conceptual developments as this project advances.

A Human Medium for a Divine Truth: Why Reading Scripture Requires Humility

Yung Suk Kim, PhD

Is the Word of God the same as scripture? The answer is both yes and no. Yes, because scripture is a living medium through which real people, across vastly different contexts, encounter divine love, guidance, and transformative power. Yet strictly speaking, the two are not identical. Scripture did not simply fall from heaven intact; while inspired, these texts remain fundamentally human products shaped by the particularities of their authors, cultures, and historical moments. Furthermore, the infinite reality of God cannot be fully contained within human language. To equate a finite, human text entirely with the divine is a category error. In this sense, "the Word of God" functions as a metaphor for a deeper truth that scripture points toward, and our ongoing engagement with that text is what we call interpretation.

When we collapse this distinction—treating our human interpretation of a culturally conditioned text as absolute divine authority—we risk falling into spiritual authoritarianism or blind dogmatism. True faith does not require us to weaponize doctrine against those who disagree with us. Instead, readers can hold strong convictions while maintaining genuine humility about the human limits of the text and their own understanding. Ultimately, the focus of religion should not be the pursuit of doctrine-based power, but a humility-based confidence that inspires active love and care. Without love and care, religion loses its essence—and no authentic faith can ever diminish the dignity of other people or other traditions.

Beyond the Page: Why True Reading Requires Looking Inward and Outward

Yung Suk Kim, PhD 

One of the biggest challenges for contemporary readers is that while they focus heavily on analyzing the text itself, they often neglect to read their own minds or the world around them. True reading is not merely about the words on the page; it is an engagement with both the self and society. Interpretation is never a one-way street, but a dynamic, multifaceted, interdisciplinary conversation.

A defining challenge for contemporary readers lies in a pervasive methodological blind spot. While modern literacy places a premium on close textual analysis and critical deconstruction, it frequently neglects two equally vital dimensions of the reading process: the interiority of the reader and the socio-historical realities of the external world.

Reading, in its fullest sense, is never merely an isolated engagement with words on a page. Rather, it is a simultaneous negotiation between the text, the self, and society.

When we approach a work, we do not do so as neutral observers; we bring our own cognitive frameworks, implicit biases, and lived experiences to the encounter. Without the metacognitive discipline to "read" our own minds—interrogating why a particular argument compels or alienates us—our critical reading remains incomplete. Concurrently, no text exists in an ideological or historical vacuum. To divorce a work from the broader cultural, political, and material conditions that produced it is to strip it of its vital context.

Consequently, interpretation cannot be reduced to a linear, one-way extraction of meaning from an author to a passive recipient. It is a dynamic, multi-directional, and inherently interdisciplinary endeavor. True comprehension occurs at the intersection of literary analysis, psychology, sociology, and history.

To cultivate a more rigorous and holistic reading practice, we must expand our analytical lens. Critical engagement requires us not only to interrogate the text before us, but also to examine the mind that interprets it and the world that shapes them both.

Self-Exegesis: Why Authentic Preaching Needs a Soul in the Age of AI

Yung Suk Kim, PhD

In the age of AI and the internet, crafting a well-structured sermon with compelling illustrations has never been easier. Yet, this effortless production masks a profound danger: if a sermon lacks the writer’s soul and lived experience, it becomes nothing more than a resounding gong.

Authentic preaching requires what we might call "self-exegesis." This is not simply about the intellectual sweat or hard effort poured into the writing process; it is fundamentally about lived experience. The preacher’s self must be deeply present, melting into the text so that the scripture and the lived reality of the writer become intertwined. The self serves as a vital lens: it is through our own human experiences, vulnerabilities, and everyday realities that we begin to truly understand both God and our neighbor.

Because preaching is delivered to real people in a specific context, it is not just about transmitting information—it is about engaging with the congregation and the larger world. Without this self-exegesis, without the preacher bringing their own life to the text, it is impossible to communicate with genuine confidence and resonance.

This is not to say that AI has no place in the study. When used constructively, AI is a powerful, creative tool. Much like browsing a library, a preacher can use it to research themes, brainstorm topics, or explore cultural issues.

However, the preacher must ultimately take uncompromising ownership of their writing. AI cannot write the sermon for you, nor can it deliver it, because preaching demands the flesh-and-blood context of human experience. Your unique voice, your theological judgment, and your personal spiritual journey are irreplaceable.

A new volume on Jesus and Paul

I am uniquely positioned to write this volume, Jesus and Paul: Shared Visions, Divergent Paths, having researched, taught, and published extensively on both the historical Jesus and the Apostle Paul for over two decades. My previous monographs range from introductory textbooks on both figures to advanced monographs on their political and theological ethics. The following selected publications demonstrate the sustained scholarly foundation that directly supports the methodology and arguments of this book:

Books on Jesus and the Gospels
-Justice and the Parables of Jesus: Reading Gospel Stories through Political Philosophy (T&T Clark, 2026).
-How to Read the Gospels: An Introduction (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024).
-Resurrecting Jesus: The Renewal of New Testament Theology (Cascade, 2015).

-Truth, Testimony, and Transformation: A New Reading of the “I Am” Sayings of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel (Cascade, 2014).

Books and Articles on Paul
-How to Read Paul: A Brief Introduction to His Theology, Writings, and World (Fortress, 2021).
-A Theological Introduction to Paul’s Letters: Exploring a Threefold Theology of Paul (Cascade, 2011).
-“Reclaiming Christ’s Body (soma christou): Embodiment of God’s Gospel in Paul’s Letters,” Interpretation 67, no. 1 (2013): 20–29.

-“'Imitators' (Mimetai) in 1 Cor. 4:16 and 11:1: A New Reading of Threefold Embodiment,” Horizons in Biblical Theology 33, no. 2 (2011): 147–170.

-"The Logic, Structure, and Efficacy of Empathy in Paul’s Undisputed Letters: Christ Crucified, the 'Body of Christ,' and Union with Christ, in Empathy in Antiquity: Sympathetic Emotion in the Ancient Mediterranean World, edited by Courtney Frisen. Routledge, 2028 forthcoming.

Words of Wisdom: Test Everything

Test Everything: The Journey of Graduate Theological Education

What It Means to Be in a Graduate School of Theology
To step into graduate theological education is to embark on a journey of profound deconstruction and beautiful reconstruction. It is not merely a retreat to shelter and strengthen your faith, but a crucible where faith is critically and fearlessly examined. Continue to read ...

A new page on Philosophy, Phenomenology, Science, and Wisdom

I created a new page on this blog, which primarily deals with matters of philosophy, science, and wisdom. 

The Sense of Something

Something happens—be it good or bad, a changing mix of both.
It unfolds right now, and it will happen again tomorrow.
My purpose is not to prevent it, though I may tend to what is preventable.
Opportunities bloom everywhere, just as misfortune remains ubiquitous.
In all of this happening, what really matters is now.

We must perceive this now inside, outside, and far beyond us.
Always, remain mindful of that presence there and respond to it, or simply watch it with a quiet, calm eye.
To feel the true sense of being alive means keeping this awareness of something.

Interesting Videos about Justice and Transformation

My Scholarly Journey: Justice, Mercy, and Transformation

What does it truly mean to live a life of transformation? After two decades of research, teaching, and writing, I’ve come to realize that the core of meaningful change lies in a single, complex concept: Justice.

In this video, I share my personal journey as a scholar and a follower of Jesus, exploring how the "Good News" is inextricably linked to God’s righteousness. We will dive deep into the ten different facets of justice—from distributive and social to environmental and restorative—and look at how the subversive parables of Jesus challenge our normative thinking about fairness, work, and even the "weeds" within ourselves.

If you have ever asked "What is God?", "What am I?", or "What is the right thing to do?", I invite you to join me in this reflection on the value of today and the ongoing process of transformation.
 

Hannah's Transformative Journey (1 Sam 1:1-2:11)

I want to share a unique perspective on a well-known biblical narrative: the story of Hannah from the first book of Samuel.

The ideas I am sharing today are based on my research published in 2008 in the journal The Bible and Critical Theory, titled "The Story of Hannah (1 Sam 1:1–2:11) from a Perspective of Han: The Three-Phase Transformative Process."

In biblical scholarship, we often read Hannah’s story through spiritual, feminist, or liberation lenses. While these are valuable, they can sometimes fall into the trap of "identity politics"—a rigid "us versus them" mentality that can inadvertently exclude others. In my work, I propose an 'intercultural' reading. By using the Korean concept of Han, we can see Hannah’s experience not just as a personal struggle for a child, but as a three-phase process of holistic transformation that involves the self, the community, and society at large.

The One Rule That Unites the World: Jesus, Hillel, and Confucius
Is there a single truth that transcends time, geography, and culture? In this video, we explore the "Golden Thread" of human ethics—a principle discovered independently by the greatest minds of the East and West. From the teachings of Jesus on the Mount to Rabbi Hillel’s famous challenge while standing on one leg, and Confucius’s profound concept of reciprocity (Shù), we discover a shared moral compass. Join us as we break down these ancient texts to see how empathy and the "Golden Rule" serve as the foundation for human civilization. It turns out that despite our differences, we have always been guided by the same simple truth.

People Over Pillars: Reclaiming Human Agency from Ancient Wisdom
Do we exist to serve the system, or does the system exist to serve us? In a modern world filled with rigid rules and faceless institutions, it’s easy to feel like a cog in a machine. This video dives into a revolutionary "Human-Centered" philosophy shared by Jesus and Confucius. We examine Jesus’s radical claim that the Sabbath—a sacred divine institution—was made for the benefit of humankind, not the other way around. We then look at Confucius’s empowering insight that "The Way" (the Dao) only becomes great through the people who walk it. This video is a reminder that you are the subject of your life, not an object of the rules.

Rethinking the "Body of Christ"

In this short video, Dr. Yung Suk Kim — author of the debut book Christ’s Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor — offers a fresh reading of Paul’s "body of Christ" language as a Christic formation: a community shaped by Christ’s faithfulness rather than merely an organizational unity. Watch to learn why the traditional organism model can enforce conformity, what a Christ-like (Christic) community looks like in practice, and three concrete steps congregations can take to prioritize the vulnerable.

The Illusion of Identity: Why Your Labels Don't Define You

Who are you, really? Is your identity just a collection of labels—your job, your ethnicity, or your citizenship—or is it something deeper? In this video, Dr. Yung Suk Kim explores the "Illusion of Identity." Drawing from his unique life journey—from a businessman representing a Korean company in Panama and Miami to becoming a U.S. citizen and a Professor of New Testament—Dr. Kim challenges the way we categorize ourselves and others. In this video, we discuss: The Limit of Labels: Why terms like "Korean American" only explain a small fraction of who a person is. Identity as Construction: Why you must be the architect of your own identity rather than letting society "label" you. The "Second Career" Perspective: How moving from the business world to biblical scholarship reshaped Dr. Kim’s understanding of the self. Beyond Identity Politics: Acknowledging the commonalities we share while honoring the vast differences in how we view justice, life, and purpose. "I often tell my students: 'Don't judge me based on what you know about me. I am more than what you describe.' This applies to all of us. We are all more than the boxes the world tries to put us in."