Beyond the Blank Page

Don't think I write from scratch. I only begin once I have enough research, brewed ideas, and confidence. Even then, I don't write everything in one sitting; I revisit and revise again and again. There is no perfection in a human world, but at some point, I have to finish.

The Fourth Horizon

My scaffolding for a chapter on Ecclesiastes is complete, and I am satisfied with the results. I can flesh out incisive points with evidence. The title is "Hevel and the Cognitive Dissonance of a Fleeting World." This work is part of my book project, The Fourth Horizon: The Mental World as a Critical Lens for Hermeneutics and Homiletics. At this stage, I have completed three chapters—one about Lot (Gen 19), another about Ruth, and the one about Ecclesiastes—all with strong, promising scaffolding. For me, scaffolding represents nearly 80% completion; the remaining work is providing evidence and documentation. Now, I am moving on to scaffold another chapter regarding the Canaanite woman’s encounter with Jesus. I have read this story hundreds of times, but this time I am reintegrating various points with the "fourth horizon." After that, I will move to John 14 and Romans 3. Progress is steady; it is simply a matter of time.

The Ten Dimensions of Justice: From Structures to Self

The Ten Dimensions of Justice: From Structures to Self

Yung Suk Kim

Justice is multifaceted, encompassing virtually all matters of human and non-human life. It covers personal identity, relationships, communal and societal life, politics, economics, and the environment. While social justice is a vast concept in its own right, justice is not limited to it; we must also address procedural or environmental justice to find ways to improve the status quo. There are many other dimensions to consider as well—in my book, Justice and the Parables of Jesus, I explore ten distinct kinds of justice. Ultimately, justice is not merely about changing others or structures, but also about transforming ourselves. To study justice critically is to commit to a never-ending search for truth.

My Theological Journey: People-focused, Justice-seeking, and Transformation-driven (on Spotify)

My presentation, as part of the Faculty Forum, was delivered on April 16, 2026, at Virginia Union University. The forum was enlightening, with my presentation focusing on justice and biblical interpretation. Dr. Wafawanaka shed light on postcolonial concerns, and Dr. Sanders ensured a smooth moderation of the discussion.

 

 

     

Death: Vicarious or Participatory?

Moral Absurdity: Confronting the Ideology of Substitutionary Death

Presented by Yung Suk Kim

I believe that the "one man’s death for the nation," as suggested by Caiaphas in John 11, represents a dangerous scapegoat ideology. What moral value can be found there? Such a substitutionary death diminishes the inherent value of human dignity, which should be seen as incomparable to the whole earth. In John’s Gospel, Jesus’s crucifixion is the ultimate expression of his love for God and the world; therefore, his death should be viewed as a testimony of love rather than a vicarious or legalistic substitution.

The Three Pillars of Prolific Writing

The Three Pillars of Prolific Writing

Presented by Yung Suk Kim

1. Cultivate Idea Farms: 

Prolific writing begins with a system for gathering thoughts. Plant your ideas early and allow them to incubate. Through a continuous cycle of study and reflection, you turn raw observations into "fertile" material ready for revision.

2. Optimize Quality Time: 

Quantity of time matters, but the ability to utilize pockets of time is what separates the productive from the busy. Whether it is a few minutes at a café or a long walk, use those moments to keep your ideas active so that your formal writing sessions are focused and fluid.

3. Maintain Creative Stamina: 

Physical and mental health are the engines of productivity. Without a foundation of well-being, the rigors of deep research and consistent output are impossible to sustain. To write more, you must first take care of the writer.

The Triad of Mastery: Defining Critical Competency

Presented by Yung Suk Kim:

What defines true competence in our work or research? It is not merely the possession of facts, but the mastery of three dynamic forces: Creativity, Communication, and Challenge.

Creativity requires an open mindset to entertain new possibilities and the stamina to pursue them through trial and error. Critical competency means having the creative courage to synthesize new ideas where others only see data.

Communication is a deep engagement with diverse voices—whether through vibrant conversation with peers or silent dialogue with books and resources. To be competent is to be well-read and well-spoken, bridging the gap between one's own thoughts and the collective knowledge of the field.

Challenge represents a spirit of intellectual grit. It is the choice to take the more difficult, constructive path rather than the convenient one. A competent researcher or professional seeks out "productive friction"—welcoming difficult questions and complex obstacles as the necessary tools for building a robust outcome.

From Blame to Building: The Four Pillars of Quality Critique

Presented by Yung Suk Kim

Critiquing is a robust act of perceiving things as they are and offering meaningful commentary. While anyone can critique a person or an idea, the quality of that critique varies significantly. How do we distinguish a "good" critique? I suggest these four essential steps:

1. Specify Perspective: One must declare the philosophy or perspective from which they stand. Often, when we hear a critique, we have no clue what the speaker’s underlying viewpoint is. 

2. Exercise Conscientiousness: One must be diligent, utilizing data and experience while maintaining deep knowledge of the issue at hand.

3. Ensure Clarity: One must express ideas or critical points effectively, using clear language and illustrative figures.

4. Offer a Path Forward: One must suggest a direction for construction or improvement.

Deciding for Ourselves: The Limits of AI

I was thinking about AI today, and this thought dawned on me:

"No matter how intelligent AI may be, it is incomparable to humans of flesh and blood. We are flesh that thinks. While AI may be innovative in fields like medicine or science, it cannot replace human beings, who must decide for themselves in matters of life. Our agency defines us; each person is an agent."

The Forum on Religion

 The Scholars' Conversation: The Forum on Religion

Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology

Virginia Union University

What do justice, faith, and the future of our world demand from us now?
Join us for A Scholars’ Conversation: The Forum on Religion, an evening designed to challenge minds, deepen conviction, and spark meaningful dialogue around issues shaping the church and society.

Featuring leading voices in theological scholarship and critical reflection:
Dr. Boykin Sanders, Moderator
Dr. Robert Wafawanaka, Postcolonial Issues
Dr. Yung Suk Kim, Justice

April 16
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Perkins Lifelong Learning Center on the campus of Virginia Union University

This is not a surface-level conversation. It is a timely gathering for scholars, leaders, students, clergy, and thinkers who are ready to wrestle seriously with faith, justice, and the complexities of our time.