Mini-essay

More Inclusive Study of the Bible with Interdisciplinary Approaches: 

Seeking Robust Mental Well-Being

 

Yung Suk Kim, Virginia Union University 

The Bible contains ancient thoughts, cultures, and religious accounts, so it is important to interpret it carefully and critically. To some extent, we have done our jobs well, approaching the text variously and critically, analyzing the historical, social, cultural, economic, and ideological aspects of ancient people, communities, and societies. But I see great lacunae in biblical interpretation because there is a lack of focus on mental well-being in biblical interpretation. I do not mean that the Bible or biblical interpretation resolves mental health issues significantly. Mental health issues are embedded in ancient texts, and we should consider how to read and interpret them in this context. The key is what to say about mental well-being issues in the text from our context when we engage with it. For example, can we read The Lord’s Prayer from the perspective of mental well-being? The answer is vehement yes because it contains mental well-being issues at which the center is the mind—a hot issue then and now. This prayer taught by Jesus reminds us of how to deal with life’s challenges that occur every day. We can ask questions such as: What does it mean to address God as "our Father who is in heaven?" How can we pray for our daily bread when people are hungry and struggling? How can we participate in forgiveness in a complex society? And how can we experience “thy kingdom come” in the present? I am optimistic about the future of biblical interpretation because of my interest in mental well-being involving interdisciplinary studies such as cognitive science, mental health theories, psychotheology, and political theology.

*Note: This mini-essay was published in The Bible and Critical Theory Vol. 20, no. 1 (2024).

*Citation: Yung Suk Kim, "More Inclusive Study of the Bible with Interdisciplinary Approaches: Seeking Robust Mental Well-Being," The Bible and Critical Theory Vol. 20, No. 1 (2024), 10-11.

Laozi, Dao De Jing 81

I wrote this paragraph in my future book titled Parables and Justice:

Laozi, a classical philosopher from China in the sixth century BCE, is purported to have written a book called Dao De Jing—the Book of the Way and Virtue. He conveys an interesting idea that “True words are not beautiful. Beautiful words are not truthful.” It is worth quoting the last chapter of his book, which shows this idea:

“The wise are not erudite. True words are not beautiful. Beautiful words are not truthful. The good do not argue for their interest. Those who argue are not good. The wise are not erudite. The erudite are not wise. The wise do not hoard things. The more they give to others, the more they have. The Way of Heaven benefits, but does not harm others. The way of the wise accomplishes without striving” (Dao De Jing 81, translation is mine; from Reading Jesus' Parables with Dao De Jing, 64).

Reading Jesus' Parables with Dao De Jing

Ellison-Jones Convocation 2024

At the faculty forum of the Ellison-Jones convocation. My talk is entitled “The Danger of a Singular Order: Joshua’s Conquest Narrative of Canaan, Jesus’s Dealing with a Canaanite Woman, and Christian Nationalists’ Reading of the Bible.”

One thing significantly lacking in libertarian hermeneutics and homiletics is self-criticism. 

Yes, we need self-knowledge that we are precious and weak (frail).

Yes, we need social change. We can be critical of others and other things.

But we need more than anything; that is self-criticism, which is not the same as criticizing the self.

Self-criticism is a recognition that we all need continual awakening. We all need deconstruction.

Toward that goal, we must study and read various things, including books, society, and the self. 

-The danger of a singular order

-Oppressors and the oppressed are everywhere: external and internal
-True liberation from everything and everywhere
-God’s effectiveness to those who change

"Racial Identity Hermeneutics"

Excerpts from the chapter "Racial Identity Hermeneutics": 

Considering early Christianity’s embrace of diversity, the ideology of one Christian race or a white-driven melting pot theory is an illusion and must melt away. Often the ideal of oneness or unity is quixotic and hides the face of hegemonic control in which some people or groups are prioritized over against others. In the end, racial identity hermeneutics aims at dismantling the hegemonic ideology of oneness/unity and fosters a culture of care, diversity, and solidarity. What follows is in this order: “Racial/Ethnic Identity from Biblical Texts” and “Interpreting Biblical Texts through the Lens of Racial/Ethnic Identity.” In the former, we will see both the importance and entanglement of race/ethnicity from biblical texts. In the latter, we will explore cases of racial identity hermeneutics with select texts from both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament (366).

*Yung Suk Kim, "Racial Identity Hermeneutics," in Postconservative Theological Interpretation, edited by Ronald T. Michener and Mark A. Lamport, 365-380 (Cascade, 2024).

2024 Korea Visit Lecture Events

December 2, 2024 

I will present a lecture titled "Biblical Hermeneutics and Lens: Examining Lenses and Exploring Human Transformation." This lecture, sponsored by the Institute of Bible and Preaching (IBP) and Healing & Counseling Institute, will occur at Hanshin Presbyterian Church in Seochogu, Seoul, Korea.

 

  
December 3, 2024 

I will present a lecture titled "The Samaritan as a Paragon of Self-Love (Luke 10:25-37): Exploring True Self-Love and Its Implications for Mental Well-Being" at the Graduate School of Theology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

December 4, 2024 

I will speak in the class at Ewha Womans University, addressing Paul's ecclesiology, theology, and women's issues.

December 12, 2024 

I will also present the same topic of biblical hermeneutics and lens to local pastors in Jeonju, Korea.

WRITE AND WALK

When severe anxiety engulfs you, wait, write, and walk. 

In other words, stop ruminating, write on blank paper things you worry about, their causes, what you can control versus what you cannot, etc. Then, go for a walk with open minds. Repeat this process until you have a calm mind.

"The Danger of a Singular Order"

I will present a small talk for a faculty panel at our 2024 Ellison-Jones conference. I came up with this title: 

"The Danger of a Singular Order: Joshua’s Conquest Narrative of Canaan, Jesus’s Dealing with a Canaanite Woman, and Christian Nationalists’ Reading of the Bible." 

I expanded the above talk material and turned it into a journal essay. I hope it will be out of my favorite outlet journal soon. If you mention this title, please cite it: Yung Suk Kim, "The Danger of a Singular Order: Joshua’s Conquest Narrative of Canaan, Jesus’s Dealing with a Canaanite Woman, and Christian Nationalists’ Reading of the Bible" (working article). 

Photo courtesy of 정경심 2024

Contextual Critical Commentary (2 Corinthians)

The revised manuscript has been formally submitted to the series editor, and assuming a smooth process, publication of this concise commentary is anticipated in 2025.

two types of oppressors

There are two types of oppressors: those who are perennial oppressors and the liberated individuals who have become oppressors themselves. The first group is easily identified and warned against. However, the latter can be harder to recognize because they often claim to advocate for liberation. In some ways, the true enemy lies within the community, as these individuals adopt oppressive ideologies and policies instead of promoting transparent, democratic ideals or the agency of individuals.

Sunday October 13, 2024 | Sunday Worship | Community Baptist Church of GM

I had the pleasure and honor of preaching at the Community Baptist Church of Greater Milwaukee. My dear friend and colleague, Rev. Dr. Demetrius Williams invited me to share my thoughts with the congregation. The sermon title: "Moses's Burning Bush Experience: Holy Ground, Self-Identity, and Community" (Exod 3:1-12)