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While different people understand the Bible differently, I find its root message in these two verbs: "return (shuv) and change (metanoia)." The former is about the Hebrew Bible whose overarching theme is turning back to God although various authors mean it differently. First, it is turning back to the grace of God. That is to remember God's call of Abraham, who is nobody out of nowhere. The beginning of the good news is God's grace to which Abraham responded wholeheartedly. We cannot save ourselves because we are born weak and live in a hopeless world. As our life depends on the sun, our nefesh needs the breath of life and the wind of hope coming from God. Second, we must return to Abraham's faith, which is not a mental agreement to the word of God but trust in him. Abraham decided to live a different life with hopes in God for his future and walked the path of faith until he died. Third, we must turn to the way of God, which is the way of justice and righteousness (Amos 5:24; Mic 6:8).
The latter ("change") is about the New Testament. Especially, Jesus emphasizes the change of a mind and heart for the rule/reign of God (Mark 1:15). Even if the new time has come, it would be futile without metanoia ("change"). Paul also talks about the importance of change that imitates Christ. In Rom 12:2, he says: "Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." In Galatians 6:2, Paul asks the Galatians to "fulfill the law of Christ."
Our task is not merely to recognize the importance of change or return but to fully explore it in our lives and live it out holistically. We must ask critical questions about transformation: What is the good life? How can we achieve it? How can we make our society livable in justice? Individually, what perspectives on change do we need?
We need to conduct quality research on transformation through biblical, and theological studies and disseminate transformation insights through publications. We also must provide a diversity of transformation-driven programs in relation to course teaching, special lectures, leading seminars, series lectures, and other events with a consultation. The Institute can also provide necessary consulting about the various programs to various groups and institutions.
For example, topics include the following:
- The essence of Paul's theology or gospel: based on a threefold gospel
- Jesus's parables: overview and in-depth study
- A Transformative Reading of the Bible
- What is biblical interpretation? Theory, process, and criteria
- Preaching the New Testament
- Rereading logos theology in John's Gospel
- Rereading Romans from the perspective of Paul's gospel
- Rereading Galatians from the perspective of Paul's gospel
- Historical Jesus and doing theology today
- A study of biblical characters from the perspective of transformation
- Exploring themes of human transformation through the critical study of and engagement with the Bible, CBHT fosters various aspects of holistic human transformation based on self-knowledge, self-criticism, and human solidarity. The Center seeks:
- Enhancing the importance of human transformation both in the academic and public arena
- Providing avenues of interdisciplinary studies regarding the Bible and human transformation; exploring the intersection between the Bible and human transformation
- Providing adequate information and scholarship about human transformation and the Bible through courses, in-class or online, publications, and various activities of the center
- Providing public forums, seminars, lectures, and summer school
- Providing high-quality human transformation education material to academia, the church, and the public (book, journal, and other forms of print and online material)
- Holding a major conference on the issue of human transformation and the Bible
- Raising awareness of diversity and solidarity in public discourse; exploring collaboration with other organizations that work for the well-being of humanity within theological education and across the board· Providing experiential learning opportunities through the center; for example, arranging a travel seminar to foreign countries