Spirituality and Mental Health

 Rooted in Love, Resilient in Mind

-A Journey into Healing-

This book intersects with my journey into mental health, spirituality, and the quest for identity. I invite you to walk alongside me as I share my personal experiences with mental health challenges, navigating the complex terrain of anxiety and self-discovery.

Imagine standing at a crossroads where anxiety and faith collide—a place where many find themselves, often feeling lost and overwhelmed. Yet, within that struggle lies a powerful opportunity for growth, understanding, and renewal. Through my battles, I uncovered strategies that not only helped me manage my anxiety but also laid the foundation for a deeper exploration of self.

In these pages, you will discover the wisdom I gained through my hardships and a roadmap for cultivating resilience in your own life. I have explored literature on mental health, practiced mindfulness, and examined my thoughts through the lens of cognitive science, all in pursuit of finding peace amidst the chaos. Here, I offer the insights I gleaned from my journey, hoping to guide you toward self-acceptance and strength.

Poetry book: Navigating Life's Tapestry

This poetry book represents the author's heartfelt endeavor to reflect his journey as a biblical scholar who cherishes the profound insights of wisdom. Poetry serves as a powerful means of communication—not only with himself but also with the world, including the divine and all beings that inhabit it. Filled with his innate curiosity, the book explores the intricacies of life itself. Life, in all its complexity, is both beautiful and challenging. The world I navigate can often be tempestuous, yet it remains a place where I find meaning and purpose. Poetry speaks to me in a language that transcends mere words, and in return, I engage with it as a trusted companion. Through the lens of poetry, I explore the myriad experiences that shape our existence. This poetry book serves not only as an expression of his thoughts but also as an invitation for readers to partake in a dialogue about life and the world we inhabit. Each poem within these pages delves into the multifaceted aspects of life—addressing adversity, embracing hope, and fostering engagement. They pose thought-provoking questions about the struggles we face while simultaneously illuminating the glimmers of hope that can be found amidst our challenges. This poetry book resonates with readers, providing both enjoyment and a stimulating conversation about the rich tapestry of life.

Dancing Through Life

Conceptualizing love isn't enough; it must be expressed through actions. As James notes, "the body without the spirit is dead," and mere perceptions of love can be equally lifeless. Love is action, manifested in activities like dancing, singing, or helping others.

Once, during a Bible study, a participant asked, "How can I dance when I'm feeling low?" This resonated with our theme of dancing with God. My point was that dancing is possible in any circumstance, both physically and spiritually.

Dancing isn't just a display of joy; it's a holistic expression of our being. In Korea, the dance Hanpoori allows for expressing "Han," feelings of bitterness and pain, transforming these emotions into liberation and empowerment. This dance shows that expression isn't limited to joy but can occur at any emotional state.

New Book Project for This Summer

I am working on a new book project and have prepared a book description and table of contents. This book is designed to be both academic and practical, targeting an audience that includes scholars, clergy, and laypersons alike. It will comprise seven chapters, with each chapter approximately 7,000 words in length, totaling about 50,000 words for the entire book.

"Reading Parables through the Lens of Justice"

JUSTICE AND PARABLES

Reading Jesus's Parables through Political Philosophy

 (T&T Clark, 2026 projected)

The cover is tentative

 Key Words: Parables, Jesus, Political philosophy, Justice, Contemporary relevance, Transformative potential

In the final stages of my nearly 80,000-word manuscript, I explore the vital theme of justice. The book examines various types of parables in their historical and literary contexts, highlighting their contemporary relevance. My goal is to illuminate the moral challenges within these stories and inspire dialogue about justice and its implications in today's society. The book covers ten types of justice, including distributive, restorative, and environmental justice, and addresses significant events like the Sewol Ferry tragedy and the Itaewon Halloween crush in Korea, alongside other global issues. I engage with a diverse range of thinkers, including classical East Asian philosophers such as Confucius, Laozi, and Mencius, as well as Western philosophers.

Book Description

This book presents a comprehensive examination of justice as illuminated through the parables of Jesus, structured into ten distinct chapters, each dedicated to a specific type of justice. These chapters facilitate an in-depth analysis of parables while contextualizing them within the framework of contemporary justice issues, including environmental, racial, and global justice.
    Employing rigorous historical-critical methods alongside metaphorical interpretations, this book invites readers to engage with the moral complexities that each parable elucidates. The format allows for a non-linear exploration, empowering readers to select chapters based on their individual interests, thereby encouraging a personalized academic inquiry. Each chapter culminates in thoughtfully crafted discussion questions that promote critical engagement and foster dialogue in educational settings, thereby enhancing the interpretive process.
    The work addresses urgent global concerns such as climate change, systemic racism, and the interconnectedness of poverty and social justice, asserting that these themes are not merely modern dilemmas but are deeply rooted in the parables' narratives. By situating the teachings of Jesus within their historical milieu of first-century Palestine, the author argues for the relevance of these ancient texts in grappling with the complexities of contemporary moral and social issues.
    Ultimately, this book serves as an invitation to reevaluate and reinterpret the parables of Jesus through the lens of justice, urging scholars, students, and general readers alike to consider the transformative potential of these narratives. It positions itself not merely as a study of theological literature but as a robust framework for understanding and advocating for justice in a multifaceted, global context. Through this analysis, the work contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding justice, morality, and the imperative for societal equity.

[shorter version]
This book offers a comprehensive examination of justice as depicted in the parables of Jesus, structured into ten distinct chapters, each dedicated to a specific type of justice. By employing rigorous historical-critical methods and metaphorical interpretations, the book facilitates an in-depth analysis of moral complexities while contextualizing parables within contemporary issues such as environmental, racial, and global justice.
    Readers are empowered to explore the material non-linearly, selecting chapters based on individual interests. Each chapter includes discussion questions designed to promote critical engagement and dialogue in educational settings, thereby enhancing the interpretive process.
    Addressing pressing global concerns like climate change, systemic racism, and social justice, the author asserts that these themes resonate profoundly within the parables' narratives. By situating Jesus's teachings in their historical context of first-century Palestine, the work highlights their relevance in confronting contemporary moral dilemmas. This book invites readers to reevaluate the parables through the lens of justice, encouraging scholars and general readers alike to consider their transformative potential. It positions itself not merely as a study of theological literature but as a vital framework for understanding and advocating for equity in today's multifaceted global context.

 

   

In this book, I introduce readers to ten theories of political philosophy:

Classical liberalism, modern libertarianism, utilitarianism, communitarianism, egalitarianism, virtue theory, intersection of race, gender, class, and sexuality, postcolonial theories, environmentalism, and Marxist theory. 

The ten types of justice discussed in this book are as follows: Distributive, attributive, procedural, social, racial, restorative, compensatory, retributive, global, and environmental.

 

Correct understanding of justification by Paul

I wrote this statement, correcting the traditional doctrine:
"Justification by the grace of God through the faithfulness of Jesus for all who share in his faith."
(Yung Suk Kim, based on Rom 3:21-26)

I wrote extensively about Paul's theology, featuring the threefold gospel, where three elements are essential: God's righteousness, Jesus's faithfulness, and Christian participation in the faith of Jesus. 

For example, see my recent publication, How to Read Paul (Fortress, 2021). 

The more I teach, the more I am convinced about this.

"At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics"

I have some exciting news! I received the typeset pages for my edited volume, At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics: Transgressive Readings for Transformational Preaching. (Pickwick, 2025, forthcoming). I will proofread them carefully. The book is approximately 290 pages long, and I expect it to be published in May or June. Thanks to all of my contributors for their support.

This edited volume promises to be remarkable due to its thought-provoking nature. In addition to introductory chapters written by homiletics professors, the ten biblical scholars examine the same stories—the book of Ruth and the encounter between the Canaanite woman and Jesus—each from a different perspective and context. Five contributors focus on the book of Ruth, while the other five analyze the New Testament text. They provide multiple layers of unconventional, incisive, and powerful interpretations that lead to transformational preaching. Biblical texts are not monolithic; they do not remain isolated or stagnant. Instead, they require innovative, transgressive perspectives that allow readers to engage with the texts in ever-evolving contexts. See all contributions.

 

  

 

 

editorial board

I am thrilled to be part of the editorial board of Perspectives in Religious Studies, a renowned journal with a rich history rooted in Baptist schools, and I am grateful for the Nominating Committee's invitation to join this esteemed group. My term begins in July 2025 and ends in 2029 (a 4-year term).

Reading Parables through the Lens of Justice

Securing a book contract is a significant challenge and a tedious process. However, I'm thrilled to share that today, the editorial board meeting of the publisher Bloomsbury (T&T Clark) unanimously approved my book proposal! Despite the hurdles of the peer review process, I remained committed to my vision and did my best. I'm grateful for my editor's trust and the valuable feedback from the anonymous reviewers. This will be my twentieth published book, marking an exciting milestone in my career.

Yung Suk Kim, Reading Parables through the Lens of Justice: How Political Philosophy Sheds Light on Jesus's Parables (T&T Clark, 2026 projected)

Tentative book cover

1 Cor 6:17 (ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ Κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστιν)

1 Cor 6:17

ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ Κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστιν.

"But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him" (NRSVue).

Paul argues that Christians should cleave to Jesus and his way of life, remembering his grace and faithfulness. Then, a Christian's spirit will be united with the spirit of Christ, which means there is one mind, one will, and one action that seeks God's will on earth: all people's deliverance from evil and their sanctification.

Otherwise, Paul does not seek a mere unity of the community like the hierarchical conception of a society based on homonoia (unity or concord) that does not advocate for the weak members. Rather, he envisions a new community of God based on Christly examples. This vision will be realized only when people share in the spirit of Jesus, following his way of life. 

Likewise, in 1 Cor 12:27 ("You are the body of Christ, and individually members of it"), his argument is not to establish a unified community based on an organism model but to emphasize Christ-ruled living and community. That is, Christ-followers must embody his spirit. The Corinthians are a Christic body, a Christ-ruled community. Individually and communally, they must follow the way of Jesus. The sense of the body Paul uses here is not an organism but a site of living (cf, 1 Cor 6:20: "For you were bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body").  

For more about this argument, you may want to read my recent book How to Read Paul: A Brief Introduction to His Theology, Writings, and World and other articles, including “Reclaiming Christ’s Body (soma christou): Embodiment of God’s Gospel in Paul’s Letters,” Interpretation 67.1 (2013): 20-29.

The above point began with my doctoral dissertation, which led to the publication of my debut book, Christ's Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor, in 2008.