Empathy in Antiquity: Sympathetic Emotion in the Ancient Mediterranean World

I am thrilled to contribute to the upcoming volume, Empathy in Antiquity: Sympathetic Emotion in the Ancient Mediterranean World, edited by Courtney Friesen and published by Routledge. My chapter is titled "The Logic, Structure, and Efficacy of Empathy in Paul’s Undisputed Letters: Christ Crucified, the 'Body of Christ,' and Union." This volume is a truly ambitious project, featuring contributions from more than 30 scholars across Classics, Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and related fields. Looking forward to submitting my final draft by August 1, 2027!

Welcome to my digital home

Welcome to my digital home. As a scholar, author, and educator, my lifelong mission has been to build a vibrant bridge between the living church, the wider world, and rigorous academia. In this special feature, I reflect on my 20-year journey—from my corporate roots at LG, through my theological training at McCormick and Vanderbilt, to my current work at Virginia Union University. Explore how this vision comes to life across my teaching, publications, community service, and digital ministries, and join me as I look forward to what the Lord has in store next.

👉 [Read the Full Reflection: Bridging the Church and the World]

Dr. Kim's Biblical Studies Channel

 Check it out. Dr. Kim's Biblical Studies Channel.

Resilient Mind

Ground yourself in love, not fear. Protect your mental space. Read this book: Rooted in Love, Resilient in Mind.

Bridging the Church and the World: My 20-Year Journey at Virginia Union University

Long ago, when I applied for the PhD program at Vanderbilt University, I wrote in my cover letter that my goal was to serve as a bridge between the church, the world, and academia. This vision was deeply shaped by my first career at LG, where I gained invaluable multicultural experience working in our overseas offices in Panama and Miami. Following that corporate foundation, I began my formal theological education by earning a Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago before advancing to my doctoral studies at Vanderbilt. Transitioning into this theological journey, I wanted my academic work to be grounded in real-world, global realities.

Looking back over the past 20 years, I am deeply grateful for this path and believe I have fulfilled that initial promise very well. I have lived out this bridge role across four key areas of my life and vocation: teaching, publication, community service, and digital spaces.

• Teaching: A central part of this journey has been my time at Virginia Union University, where I have had the privilege of teaching and equipping many students for their own theological reformation through a pedagogy that is always critical and practical.
• Publication: This bridge-building is equally evident in my extensive research and writing. Over the years, I have been blessed to be a prolific author, publishing over 20 books and editing four volumes that showcase critical yet practical scholarship.
• Community Service: Beyond writing and classroom teaching, I have stepped out into the wider community to lead collaborative projects and accept invitations to lead Bible study groups at various denominational conventions.
• Digital Spaces: Lastly, I actively use digital spaces to engage with others. Through this very blog, Dr. Yung Suk Kim's Theological Journey, and my YouTube channel, Dr. Kim's Biblical Studies Channel, I am able to communicate and share insights with a vibrant, global audience every day.

I am so thankful for all the work accomplished over these two decades, and I am excited to do even more in the coming years. I pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen me for the road ahead. From the bottom of my heart, I say here, "Here am I, Lord. Use me and send me wherever you need me."

The parable of the pearl (clips)

 

This video contains three short clips, taken from the original video by Dr. Kim, "The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price." If you found this helpful, please like the video and subscribe to Dr. Kim's Biblical Studies Channel for more theological deep dives.

Playlists of Dr. Kim's YouTube Channel

Most of Dr. Kim's videos are arranged into the following playlists.

Playlists:

• New Testament Greek and Exegesis
• New Testament Topics and Dr. Kim's Publications
• The Parables of Jesus
• Public Speaking and Presentations
• Audio Clips Videos during the Pandemic Covid-19

The parable of the pearl

 Watch the full video on my YouTube channel.

Serious Scholarship for Contemporary Life

Ancient Texts, Contemporary Lives: Critical Biblical Studies (Subscribe!)

Through parables, we can unlock the profound truths that Jesus wants to share with us today.

Master the parables with a real scholar

Master the parables with a real scholar. Subscribe to join our community and access the full "The Parables of Jesus" playlist for a deeper dive into these timeless teachings!