Pleasant encounter

A pleasant surprising encounter with John Kinney, retired Dean at our school, happened at the school's front office. He hired me in 2005. We have been aging well. Still, our topic was theology, life, and human destiny.  

I often ask myself: Who am I? What am I doing here?

I often ask myself: Who am I? What am I doing here? What kind of a scholar am I? Am I a biblical scholar or a New Testament scholar? Am I a biblical theologian or biblical interpreter? Am I a humanist who loves God and humanity at the same time? Am I a minority scholar struggling day by day? Am I a marginalized scholar voicing bold voices yet breathing short sometimes? I am very self-conscious and conscientious in all my walks and work. A year ago, Professor William P. Brown at Columbia Theological Seminary told me I was like Walter Brueggemann because my scholarship's breadth and direction are close to his. I agree. Some years ago, Larry Welborn at Fordham University told me I was like Dale Martin because of his critical scholarship with contextual concerns. All I know is I am I am. All I know is that I live in the present. I open my mind to hear new voices and follow them. I am not in low spirits. I am confident and curious about the future that holds for me.

Aspects of justice in nature?

Yung Suk Kim

While strolling through my neighborhood boardwalk, I pondered the concept of justice in nature. To come to any conclusion, I need to observe nature more closely. Nature is different from humans in many ways. First, it exists without mobility; trees and plants remain rooted in one place. Although seeds may be carried by the wind to new places, the trees and plants themselves do not move. Second, things in nature do not have a will and simply follow their genetic programming. Third, they do not have the freedom to move like humans do. Fourth, there is no protective system for justice in nature. For example, when lightning strikes a big tree, it may fall onto other trees, which are then affected and sometimes killed. All things in nature must endure whatever happens. Finally, there is no control center in nature. Everything flourishes and perishes without care.

Despite these differences, we can still ask questions about justice in nature. But what kind of justice can we apply? If justice means things like air, wind, earth, water, chemicals, or genes, it is present in nature because all living things benefit from these conditions. However, if we think about other aspects of justice such as the freedom to move or systems for protection, justice is not there. These aspects are uniquely human and apply only to the human world. 

Looking at nature from a micro perspective, however, we may identify some "ideal" aspects of justice, which can be defined as "the right mode of living" as per nature. First, plants and trees don't fight to get more. They are satisfied with what they have and do not move to take more from others. Second, they flourish together in diversity, maintaining their own identity. Third, we can learn the lesson of social justice from a mustard seed. Jesus pointed out the importance of smallness in his parable teaching. The small mustard seed has great potential to realize what it is. Even if it is the smallest seed, it grows big enough, albeit unlike a cedar tree. The point is not to become the largest tree but to realize one's potential. No one can discriminate against others based on their appearance, race, gender, class, or any social determinants.

Parables and Justice

I retrieved a book project I had started but never finished from my writing warehouse. I gave it a new title, "The Parables of Jesus and Justice: Engaging in the Contemporary World through Political Philosophy." This project is challenging because it involves multiple fields of study and tackles contemporary issues with justice.

three loves

Political theology identifies three types of love: love of God, love of oneself, and love of one's neighbor. The first and most fundamental form of love is the love of God. We must know where we come from and appreciate the origin of our existence. We must love ourselves because we are a gift from God. The love of oneself is grounded in the love of God. 

When we have a strong sense of self-love, we can extend it to others, and that is what Paul refers to in Galatians 5:14 when he says: "The whole law is summed up in a single commandment: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" A balanced and ordered love for God, self, and neighbor is essential for maintaining robust mental health. 

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Quality Research

Quality research is independent of how many hours you sit at the desk or in the library. It depends on the intensity and intuition of the mind at play freely during the day. Reading a few hours and leaving for a walk or an exercise would help me. As for me, the most productive time for deepening my research is when I am in bed before going to sleep, hot sauna time, and swimming. I write in my mind first and rewrite in my computer or notebook.

True humility

True humility does not mean that you lower yourself. It means staying true to yourself without trying to lift yourself or putting others down. See others as they are.

Solar eclipse by NASA's James Webb 2024

Compliment

The compliment from a trusted colleague is not a hollow word: "You are a seasoned, gifted, proven, and creative scholar." This word means a lot to me. I am who I am. I realize what I am. 

Valid biblical interpretation

Valid biblical interpretation must address current issues and inspire present living. Biblical theology or interpretation should not merely dwell on the past or future but on today's world. We seek freedom and justice in the present. I argue that "today" is the lens through which we look back to the past and look forward to the future. We always see things from the perspective of today. Time is indivisible. There is no separate past, present, or future.

All this means meaning is not fixed once and for all. Meaning is the result of ongoing interpretation in changing contexts. Biblical texts need critical, contextual interpretation from today's perspective. 

 

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Wall Street Times article

The Scholarly Journey of Dr. Yung Suk Kim: Bridging Worlds Through Biblical Scholarship

In the realm of biblical scholarship and New Testament studies, few names resonate as profoundly as that of Dr. Yung Suk Kim, a distinguished professor at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. With an academic journey marked by transformative teaching, indomitable scholarship, and effective public service, Dr. Kim’s contributions have not only enriched the field but have also paved the way for a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of early Christianity.

Dr. Kim’s scholarly voyage began with his B.A. from Kyungpook National University, followed by an M.Div. from McCormick Theological Seminary, culminating in a Ph.D. in New Testament study from Vanderbilt University. His educational path was not just about accruing academic credentials but about forming a foundation for his life’s work—creating bridges between diverse cultures and fostering an understanding of the human condition through biblical narratives. The beginning of Dr. Kim’s journey was marked by an unconventional foray into the secular world, where he dedicated a decade of his career to LG, navigating through diverse cultural landscapes in Seoul, Panama, and Miami. This experience not only enriched Dr. Kim with a profound understanding of diversity but also underscored the vital importance of solidarity, principles that would later inform his academic pursuits. Continue to read