Laozi, Dao De Jing 81

I wrote this paragraph in my future book titled Parables and Justice:

Laozi, a classical philosopher from China in the sixth century BCE, is purported to have written a book called Dao De Jing—the Book of the Way and Virtue. He conveys an interesting idea that “True words are not beautiful. Beautiful words are not truthful.” It is worth quoting the last chapter of his book that shows this idea:

“The wise are not erudite. True words are not beautiful. Beautiful words are not truthful. The good do not argue for their interest. Those who argue are not good. The wise are not erudite. The erudite are not wise. The wise do not hoard things. The more they give to others, the more they have. The Way of Heaven benefits, but does not harm others. The way of the wise accomplishes without striving” ---Reading Jesus' Parables with Dao De Jing, 64.

Reading Jesus' Parables with Dao De Jing

Ellison-Jones Convocation 2024

At the faculty forum of the Ellison-Jones convocation. My talk is entitled “The Danger of a Singular Order: Joshua’s Conquest Narrative of Canaan, Jesus’s Dealing with a Canaanite Woman, and Christian Nationalists’ Reading of the Bible.”

One thing significantly lacking in libertarian hermeneutics and homiletics is self-criticism. 

Yes, we need self-knowledge that we are precious and weak (frail).

Yes, we need social change. We can be critical of others and other things.

But we need more than anything; that is self-criticism, which is not the same as criticizing the self.

Self-criticism is a recognition that we all need continual awakening. We all need deconstruction.

Toward that goal, we must study and read various things, including books, society, and the self. 

-The danger of a singular order

-Oppressors and the oppressed are everywhere: external and internal
-True liberation from everything and everywhere
-God’s effectiveness to those who change

"Racial Identity Hermeneutics"

Excerpts from the chapter "Racial Identity Hermeneutics": 

Considering early Christianity’s embrace of diversity, the ideology of one Christian race or a white-driven melting pot theory is an illusion and must melt away. Often the ideal of oneness or unity is quixotic and hides the face of hegemonic control in which some people or groups are prioritized over against others. In the end, racial identity hermeneutics aims at dismantling the hegemonic ideology of oneness/unity and fosters a culture of care, diversity, and solidarity. What follows is in this order: “Racial/Ethnic Identity from Biblical Texts” and “Interpreting Biblical Texts through the Lens of Racial/Ethnic Identity.” In the former, we will see both the importance and entanglement of race/ethnicity from biblical texts. In the latter, we will explore cases of racial identity hermeneutics with select texts from both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament (366).

*Yung Suk Kim, "Racial Identity Hermeneutics," in Postconservative Theological Interpretation, edited by Ronald T. Michener and Mark A. Lamport, 365-380 (Cascade, 2024).

2024 Korea Visit Lecture Events

December 2, 2024 

I will present a lecture titled "Biblical Hermeneutics and Lens: Examining Lenses and Exploring Human Transformation." This lecture, sponsored by the Institute of Bible and Preaching (IBP) and Healing & Counseling Institute, will occur at Hanshin Presbyterian Church in Seochogu, Seoul, Korea.

 

  
December 3, 2024 

I will present a lecture titled "The Samaritan as a Paragon of Self-Love (Luke 10:25-37): Exploring True Self-Love and Its Implications for Mental Well-Being" at the Graduate School of Theology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

December 4, 2024 

I will speak in the class at Ewha Womans University. I will address Paul's ecclesiology, theology, and women's issues.

December 12, 2024 

I will also present the same topic of biblical hermeneutics and lens to local pastors in Jeonju, Korea.

WRITE AND WALK

When severe anxiety engulfs you, wait, write, and walk. 

In other words, stop ruminating, write on blank paper things you worry about, their causes, what you can control versus what you cannot, etc. Then, go for a walk with open minds. Repeat this process until you have a calm mind.

"The Danger of a Singular Order"

I will present a small talk for a faculty panel at our 2024 Ellison-Jones conference. I came up with this title: 

"The Danger of a Singular Order: Joshua’s Conquest Narrative of Canaan, Jesus’s Dealing with a Canaanite Woman, and Christian Nationalists’ Reading of the Bible." 

I expanded the above talk material and turned it into a journal essay. I hope it will be out of my favorite outlet journal soon. If you mention this title, please cite it: Yung Suk Kim, "The Danger of a Singular Order: Joshua’s Conquest Narrative of Canaan, Jesus’s Dealing with a Canaanite Woman, and Christian Nationalists’ Reading of the Bible" (working article). 

Photo courtesy of 정경심 2024

Contextual Critical Commentary (2 Corinthians)

The revised manuscript has been formally submitted to the series editor, and assuming a smooth process, publication of this concise commentary is anticipated in 2025.

two types of oppressors

There are two types of oppressors: those who are perennial oppressors and the liberated individuals who have become oppressors themselves. The first group is easily identified and warned against. However, the latter can be harder to recognize because they often claim to advocate for liberation. In some ways, the true enemy lies within the community, as these individuals adopt oppressive ideologies and policies instead of promoting transparent, democratic ideals or the agency of individuals.

Sunday October 13, 2024 | Sunday Worship | Community Baptist Church of GM

I had the pleasure and honor of preaching at the Community Baptist Church of Greater Milwaukee. My dear friend and colleague, Rev. Dr. Demetrius Williams invited me to share my thoughts with the congregation. The sermon title: "Moses's Burning Bush Experience: Holy Ground, Self-Identity, and Community" (Exod 3:1-12)

At the ABC of Wisconsin's annual conference in 2024

At the ABC of Wisconsin's annual conference in 2024, I led an in-depth, three-hour clergy workshop exploring the relationships between race/ethnicity, the Gospels, and Jesus. Workshop material PDF

 

"At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics"

A new book on hermeneutics and homiletics—an edited volume showing collaborative work with seasoned scholars from biblical studies, homiletics, and practical theology—will be seen in the market next summer or fall 2025 since my editing is 99% done and the manuscript files will be sent to the publisher in a few days. So, I am thrilled to expect this milestone book to come up soon. See the table of contents (PDF). 

Several contributors expressed their appreciation to me:

"Splendiferous work! Congratulations to all authors and to our most esteemed editor! A magnificent contribution all around. Thanks, Yung Suk for your diligence, keen editorial eye, and compassionate zeal for a most creative, timely project! Well done!"

"Congratulations and heartfelt thanks, Yung Suk, for your extraordinary work on this volume. It is an honor to be included among such remarkable colleagues."

"Thanks for your creative vision and hard work. I am looking forward to reading and sharing this work far and wide." 

Faith vs. facts

Faith or belief is not the same as facts.
Faith cannot create facts.

Faith is a response to things around us.

A mere belief or faith cannot save a person unless it is engaged and lived out holistically and critically.

Faith is never a singular action.
Faith is never blind obedience.
Faith involves a critical understanding of God, the world, self, and others.

I reject all forms of simplifications of faith.
Faith must bring hope to our lives and world, including other people. 

Faith also must bring love to our lives and world, including others.

"The Call Story of Peter in Luke 5:1-11"

I am excited that my article, "The Call Story of Peter in Luke 5:1-11: New Vocation through Transformation," was published just now.  

Article

Issue

Critical Transparent Scholarship

Critical and transparent scholarship posits that anything, whether it be ideology, institutions, states, or religions, is open to critique. A critical evaluation of Christianity or Judaism does not necessarily make one anti-Christianity or anti-Judaism. Similarly, any religion or human construct is open to criticism. Critical and transparent scholars must acknowledge their limitations and be open to new ideas or criticisms. If they are not, they are essentially "imperial" scholars in a different form.  

Colorblind society?

Some argue that we should strive for a colorblind society where race does not matter. Others believe that race does matter and that achieving a colorblind society is an illusion. A colorblind society may be possible in heaven, but here on earth, we inevitably live with certain traits, whether racial, physical, ethnic, or of any other sort. This implies that biases against others will persist, and this unfortunate and persistent reality in the world is not disappearing. Therefore, we must remain vigilant about all these detrimental effects on others. On a positive note, race matters because it contributes to the diversity and richness of society.

Featured in the Unionite

I am honored to be featured in the Unionite Spring/Summer 2024. Online

Today's world, not for tomorrow's world

I teach students for today's world, not for tomorrow's world. It is my philosophy. Tomorrow will be hollow without today. For some, it can be hellish or a hallucination. People live today and must feel happy today. Dreaming of a better future is good, but that should not prevent us from living fully today. 

People must tackle issues in the present. They must be leaders for today's world. 

Theological Education and Uncertainty

Yung Suk Kim

Indeed, we live in times of uncertainty, fearing climate change, witnessing war crimes, and facing political unrest with the emergence of Christian nationalists. Religion is used as a weapon to control others. On the other hand, the church declines and struggles while theological schools dwindle.

Amid multiple layers of change and their lingering effects on our theological education, I ask: Where are we now? What can we do? Where are we going? Where is our anchor and hope? As Dr. Martin Luther King once said, we must believe things can be changed. Somehow things can change amid uncertainty. The emphasis is on “somehow.”

While uncertainty unsettles our minds, it can be a moment of unlearning for reconstruction. It can be a momentum to innovate or reimagine our future. I quote several uncertainty-related words and insights below.

Heraclitus, pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, 6 c. BCE, emphasizes fundamental aspects of change in life and the universe. There are popular paraphrases of his thought: "We all face changes every day." "The only constant in life is change." More importantly, his insight about change is wonderful. He says: "Whoever cannot seek the unforeseen sees nothing, for the known way is an impasse."
—Heraclitus, Fragments

"Not knowing is a permissive and rigorous willingness to [leave] knowing in suspension, trusting in possibility without result."
—Ann Hamilton, “Making Not Knowing,” in Learning Mind: Experience into Art, ed. Mary Jane Jacob and Jacquelynn Bass (University of California Press, 2010), 68-69.

"Knowing of not knowing is the best; while not knowing, pretending to know is a disease."
—Laozi (Daodejing)

"It is dangerous to live in a secure world."
—Teju Cole, Open City (New York: Random House, 2011), 200.

"Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos."
—Mary Shelley, Frankenstein: The 1818 Text (New York: Penguin Classics, 2018), 240.

“Hope is the story of uncertainty, of coming to terms with the risk involved in not knowing what comes next, which is more demanding than despair and, in a way, more frightening. And immeasurably more rewarding.”
—Rebecca Solnit, Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities (Chicago: Haymarket Books, 2016), 7.

I hope we wisely and courageously navigate all these parameters of uncertainty and change.

Normal vs. Abnormal

There are things like normal and there are things like abnormal. How do we know what is normal or abnormal? Sometimes, as time passes, we realize the previously abnormal looks normal, and vice versa. There are blurring lines between them. When it comes to nature, all things are natural and look normal. Likewise, it should be cautious to apply the concept of normal vs. abnormal to humans. Can we say "I am normal" anytime and under any circumstances? If so, what is the basis for it?

Summer 2024: Fruit of Scholarship

I vacationed well during this summer. I also worked hard writing two articles/chapters for my future books. One is about The Lord's Prayer, and the other is about the parable of the Good Samaritan. I read both texts from interdisciplinary perspectives focused on psychology and mental well-being. So far so good. They make sense to me. I will refine them along the way.  

"Resurrecting Jesus"

I wrote this book to emphasize the importance of bringing the historical Jesus back into our discussions of New Testament theology. Traditional New Testament theology needs to take the work of the historical Jesus seriously. For example, people often overlook the question of what led to his death. His crucifixion was the result of his actions. We need to understand what he preached and why he was willing to die. After all, he was not born just to die. Jesus is a historical figure who should not be confined or misrepresented by anyone.

 

Quotes about uncertainty as a way of life

"Not knowing is a permissive and rigorous willingness to [leave] knowing in suspension, trusting in possibility without result."

-Ann Hamilton

"Knowing of not knowing is the best. While not knowing, pretending to know is a disease."

知不知上;不知知病。-Laozi

"Whoever cannot seek the unforeseen sees nothing, for the known way is an impasse."

-Heraclitus

*Paraphrases of Heraclitus's thought: "We all face changes daily." "The only constant in life is change." 

Annica (諸行無常, impermanence): "Everything changes."

-from Buddhist scripture.

"Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity."

-Eccl. 1:2
*Note: The Hebrew word "hebel" means "breath or vapor." Vanity is not the only translation of
this word. The idea of "hebel" is everything changes.

"Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos."

-Mary Shelley

"It is dangerous to live in a secure world." 

-Teju Cole

“Hope is the story of uncertainty, of coming to terms with the risk involved in not knowing what comes next, which is more demanding than despair and, in a way, more frightening. And immeasurably more rewarding.” 

-Rebecca Solnit

"Change is inherent in being human. The key is how to understand and embrace it. A creative life comes through a vortex of change." 

-Yung Suk Kim

Hermeneutics of Suspicion: About "Unity"

I’m suspicious of anyone who advocates for unity, whether they are politicians or scholars. My hermeneutics of suspicion reaches its peak when I hear unity rhetoric. Who gets to define unity? Who benefits from it? Unity often serves as a tool for those in power to marginalize others on the fringes. We should question the motives of those who promote unity. Instead, we should strive for multiple groups with no single center of power. We should embrace uncertainty and allow for ambiguity in some situations. My goal is to challenge and deconstruct the deceptive language of forced unity. See who is talking about unity.

Neuroplasticity

After my usual workout, I thought about neuroplasticity, which is "a process involving adaptive structural and functional changes in the brain" (NIH definition). It allows us to think flexibly and creatively and increases when we take a break from focused work or business. So, take a rest, go for a walk, exercise, or relax in a hot sauna. Free your mind from burdens and obsessions.

I had many brainstorming in my swimming, resting in a hot sauna, taking a walk, or even in my sleeping bed. Let your mind go its course by not pressuring it too much. I don't mean that neuroplasticity improves only through exercise or rest. It can be strengthened through meditation, good sleep, learning a new language, playing an instrument, and making art.

Clarifications about the Gospel/Good News (euangelion)

Yung Suk Kim, PhD 

The gospel/good news is a translation of euangelion, which means "good news" or "glad tidings." This word is used by the emperor who legitimates his rule. Also, the Septuagint has this word (Isa 52:7; 40:9). Isa 52:7 reads: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'"

The good news in the New Testament is not a genre or book. The four Gospels are writings/stories about Jesus.

How to Read the Gospels

 

*PDF material of the above video content

*related posting: Clarifications about the Gospel/Good News (euangelion)

 

Away from my computer or smartphone

Sometimes it's better to turn off my computer or get away from my smartphone because I need quiet time to feel my body, hear my breathing, and listen to my inner mind. Doing nothing sets me to a default from which I can restart my work, whatever it is.

I also need quiet time with myself when I have important research tasks. Once I read enough resources, including books and articles in print or online, I sit with myself, take blank papers out, brainstorm, and begin to write article outlines. I completed three tasks this morning, making outlines for three chapters/articles. I can go back to my computer later to push myself further.

One Issue of Translation in Matthew 11:28

The voice between active and passive matters in Greek and English alike. The former means the subject does something (active), and the latter means the subject receives action. In Matthew 11:28, two participles are functioning as verbal adjectives: κοπιῶντες (kopiontes) and πεφορτισμένοι (pephortismenoi). The root verb of the former is κοπιάω (kopiao), which means "to labor or toil." The root verb of the latter is φορτίζω (phortizo), which means "to load or burden." The participle form for the former is "present active," and that for the latter is "perfect passive/middle." So we can translate them accordingly without losing the nuanced differences between them. My translation is “Come to me, all you who toil/labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." While the NRSV or NRSVue is considered a fair, literal translation, it does not catch the point in this verse. It translates the verse this way: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." But Jesus sees the reality where people labor hard and are burdened by things, others, or institutions. Self-burden is different from externally levied/caused burdens. Most other translations keep this "voice" difference between the active and passive. For example, both NIV and NET have it: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Vocational Manifesto

As a scholar and professor, I am not merely interested in knowledge of the past but in today's world. I must tackle issues in the present and help people today. That is why I study and teach history, religion, and culture.

My ultimate mantra

"Thank God. 

I am who I am. 

I can do it. It can happen."

-Yung Suk Kim, PhD / July 2024

Dr. Kim's Hallmarks of Biblical Interpretation

The following is what my scholarship is about and what I emphasize. It represents almost 20 years of my take on biblical texts, theology, life, community, culture, politics, and the world. I wrote about 20 books, including edited volumes. *Note: The following information is based on Chat GPT. I slightly edited the AI's answers and added the necessary references. The AI's third-eye view of my scholarship is impressive and impartial.

Dr. Kim emphasizes holistic, inclusive, and socially engaged approaches to biblical interpretation. 

**Contextual and Socio-Cultural Analysis**

Kim takes the socio-cultural and historical contexts of biblical texts seriously. He explores how the context in which a text is written influences its meaning and relevance [ref.: Christ’s Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor].

**Intercultural Hermeneutics**

He advocates for interpreting the Bible through an intercultural lens, considering diverse cultural perspectives. This approach acknowledges that readers bring their cultural backgrounds to interpret biblical texts [ref.: Paul’s Gospel, Empire, Race, and Ethnicity: Through the Lens of Minoritized Scholarship]. 

**Ethical and Transformational Focus**

Kim’s interpretation often highlights ethical implications and the potential for personal and social transformation. He examines how biblical teachings can be applied to contemporary ethical issues and social justice concerns [ref.: A Transformative Reading of the Bible: Explorations of Holistic Human Transformation]. 

**Emphasis on Reader Response**

The flesh-and-blood reader is vital to the interpretive process because the meaning of a text emerges through the interaction between the text and the reader, making the reader’s context and perspective crucial to interpretation [ref.: Biblical Interpretation: Theory, Process, and Criteria]. 

**Critical and Self-Reflective Approach**

He encourages a critical examination of traditional interpretations and invites readers to reflect on their own biases and assumptions. This self-reflective approach aims to uncover deeper, often overlooked meanings in biblical texts [ref.: Resurrecting Jesus: The Renewal of New Testament Theology].

**Integration of Theological and Literary Methods**

Kim combines theological insights with literary analysis, examining narrative structures, themes, and motifs to uncover theological messages [ref.: A Theological Introduction to Paul’s Letters: Exploring a Threefold Theology of Paul].

[PDF: Dr. Kim's Hallmarks of Biblical Interpretation]

---

Here is another version. I asked Chat GPT: "What are the characteristics of Dr. Yung Suk Kim?"

Dr. Yung Suk Kim is a prominent biblical scholar and theologian known for his work in New Testament studies, particularly in Pauline theology and the interpretation of biblical texts from a cross-cultural perspective. Here are some key characteristics of his work and scholarship:

1. **Cross-Cultural Hermeneutics**: Dr. Kim is deeply interested in how biblical texts can be interpreted across different cultures and contexts. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the Bible within its historical and cultural setting while also making it relevant to contemporary audiences.

2. **Pauline Theology**: He has written extensively on the Apostle Paul, offering fresh perspectives on Paul’s letters and theology. His work often challenges traditional interpretations, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of Paul’s messages in their historical and social contexts.

3. **Ethics and Identity**: Dr. Kim explores themes of identity, particularly in relation to ethnicity, race, and gender, in the Bible. He is interested in how biblical texts address or can be applied to issues of identity and ethics in modern society.

4. **Theological Integration**: His scholarship integrates theological reflection with biblical interpretation, aiming to bridge the gap between academic study and practical application in faith communities.

5. **Author and Educator**: Dr. Kim has authored several books and scholarly articles, and he is also a respected educator. He serves as a professor, mentoring students and contributing to the academic community through teaching and research.

6. **Interfaith Dialogue**: He is engaged in interfaith dialogue, recognizing the importance of understanding and cooperation among different religious traditions.

7. **Critical and Constructive Approach**: Dr. Kim employs a critical approach to biblical texts, questioning traditional interpretations and encouraging readers to engage with the text in a way that is both critical and constructive. He seeks to uncover deeper meanings and applications of biblical teachings.

These characteristics make Dr. Yung Suk Kim a significant figure in contemporary biblical scholarship, particularly in the areas of Pauline studies, cross-cultural interpretation, and theological ethics.

The Parables of Jesus (videos)

I have 26 videos about the parables of Jesus in the YouTube playlist of "The Parables of Jesus." I made them 3-4 years ago. I love the stories that Jesus made up to teach people the rule of God. He does not use technical jargon or complex ideas about it. He draws stories from everyday life and challenges his audience to rethink themselves.

Virginia Beach 2024

Yesterday was a beautiful day when we were at Virginia Beach---a sunny day with snug clouds hung over us, 87 degrees with fresh breezes. Many people came out to see and enjoy the ocean, sand, sun, walks, sitting, meditating, and doing nothing other than being there in the bosom of nature. A sheer realization is that nothing stays the same. People change. Pets also change. Sand is not the same. Ocean waves and winds are not the same. Even if things around me may be the same, I perceive and feel them differently.

There is no permanent refuge or rock that does not change on Earth. Where does my help come from? How can it happen? What should I do? People often answer these questions effortlessly. While sometimes simple answers may serve us well, we need a careful, comprehensive, contextual approach.  

Writing and teaching

I am still hungry for more ideas and more books.

Thank God, I still have energy and ideas.

I will write more while the sun is with me.

Thus far I have published about twenty books, including a few edited volumes. I constantly update my research plan. 

For my publication page, go here.

My main job is teaching. I write as a result of my teaching, and teaching helps me become a better writer. I am fortunate to teach hundreds of students at my school each year. Over the past few years, I have utterly enjoyed teaching, researching, and publishing many books. I cannot express enough gratitude to my students for their presence in my classes. In 2019, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a faculty award called Scott and Stringfellow Outstanding Faculty Award. As long as I continue teaching, my students will always come first. They are my teachers in some way. My journey continues. I love my job.

  

New Book Posts (How to Read the Gospels)

 My publisher Rowman & Littlefield made this post for my recent book HOW TO READ THE GOSPELS. See my book publication page for more information.

Critical, Practical Mindset

I have a critical and practical mindset. My authored textbooks emphasize questions for discussion or reflection. I did so with "How to Read Paul" (Fortress 2021) and again with this new book "How to Read the Gospels" (Rowman & Littlefield 2024). For example:
-"Why does Mark not include a birth/infancy narrative?"
-"Why does Matthew include the story about Jesus's escape to Egypt and return to Israel?"
-"Is Luke's Gospel a politically innocuous gospel or a social gospel?"
-"Jesus's last words in John are "It is finished" (John 19:30). What is finished in the narrative? What should be continued by his disciples?"

Read the Gospels by yourself. Ask critical, contextual questions from your context. Read my book HOW TO READ THE GOSPELS along with your study. It's only 24 dollars, a few cups of coffee. Then you will be different than the past.

Metanoia (μετάνοια)

Photo Courtesy of Dr. Seung Soon Jang

Metanoia (μετάνοια) means a change of mind. No problem so far. But in actuality, it involves both confession and change. On the one hand, one must regret and confess any wrongdoings. But on the other hand, confession alone is not enough. One must change one's thoughts or behavior and lead a new life separate from the past. It also means not sticking with the old pattern of life or having too much confession as if one were trying to focus on cleansing sins. The point is to move forward with a renewed thought. All in all, metanoia must involve at least these two aspects: remorse/confession and a change of mind seeking God's way.

The Grace of God

Nothing surpasses the grace of God. Sin holds no dominion over it. People feel suffocated when they think there is no hope in them. Yet, in God, we discover the ultimate and everlasting source of hope.  

Virginia Union University Professor Dr. Yung Suk Kim Publishes Groundbreaking Book "How to Read the Gospels"

Virginia Union University(VUU) is proud to announce the release of How to Read the Gospels, a new book by Dr. Yung Suk Kim, Professor of New Testament & Early Christianity. This accessible and comprehensive introduction to the Gospels is set to become an essential resource for students and scholars alike, providing deep insights into the distinctive messages of the Gospel texts and offering a wide range of interpretative methods.

How to Read the Gospels is expected to significantly impact seminary and graduate students who study the Gospels critically and comprehensively. It provides user-friendly summaries, such as the basics of each Gospel—authorship, history, essential parables, the Jesus of each Gospel, and notable interpretation and translation issues. By fostering a close reading of each text, the book sensitizes students to historical and literary issues, helping them better understand various ways to interpret these formative stories.

“This book results from my teaching at VUU, and my conviction is that the Gospels are more than history, affecting our thinking and life today," Professor of New Testament & Early Christianity Dr. Yung Suk Kim said. "Traditionally, the Gospels have been read with much focus on history. But this book opens up all kinds of possibilities of reading lenses through which we can explore multiple dimensions of the text, which bear on our lives today, whether personal or political."

This book uniquely engages various readings of the Gospels, from traditional to deconstruction approaches, including womanist, disability, and ecological interpretations. It prompts readers to consider alternative perspectives and methods, making it a transformative tool for students and scholars aiming to understand the Gospels' multifaceted dimensions. CONTINUE TO READ.

Food and religion

The Food and Feasts of the Apostle Paul
Inside the Early Church—with Menus and Recipes (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024)
DOUGLAS E. NEEL

This book is for everyday readers who are curious about the food culture in early Christianity. The author even includes recipes and menus to experience the ancient food culture. This is not a typical academic book, but a welcoming exploration of the significance of food in our gatherings. I wrote a blurb for this book.

New book HOW TO READ THE GOSPELS

It's a great surprise. I found the book package outside my door when I stepped out to take a walk. My new book is still warm. Colleagues, you may request exam copies from the publisher for your courses. Please check out this link. If you are a student or serious learner, this book is the sine qua non of a textbook. I am grateful to all the supporters, friends, colleagues, and students who have contributed to bringing this book to life. As I move on to other projects, I pray for God's blessings on this book's journey. Amazon link.

 

VUU News about my book publication

"How to Read" Books

I'm happy to have written these two introductory textbooks. I am a serious educator who believes in the importance of human transformation.

Exod 3:14

This saying in Exodus 3:14 describes me the best:

אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה‎‎ 

"I am that I am." "I am who I am." Or "I will be what I will be."

This saying is more than God's name or character. It can be mine too. I am awesome because I am God's masterpiece. I must believe it. Nothing or no one can bring me down or describe me fully or adequately. No matter what happens, God's love remains strong and unchanged. So I am that I am.

Speaking events

I'm thrilled to share that I've been invited to speak at the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin annual gathering in Milwaukee on October 12-13. After the event on Sunday, I will also have the honor of speaking at my colleague's church in the area. I've been reciting the slogans "I can do" and "It can happen" because I trust God and believe that God's will be done on earth through me.

Love who you are

The only way to get over sleepy eyes while driving is not to fight it but to stop at the rest area and have enough rest. In other words, fighting drowsy eyes is foolish. 

Likewise, when we are weary and weak, it's time to rest and reenergize the body and mind with extra care. We may take walks in the park or drive without aim. Sometimes, our minds need to flow or blow as they wish. Also, when we face unknown fear out of the blue or from the blue, we should not care to drive it out by force. The more we try to expel it, the deeper we fall into the vortex of more fears. The right way to deal with it is to acknowledge it as part of your life and love who you are. You can love yourself no matter what. Just tell yourself that "I am normal."

 

Memory

In 2019, I led morning Bible study sessions at the UMC Western PA Annual Conference at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, where thousands of people gathered. I have fond memories of those days. Virtual meetings can't replace in-person gatherings because of the tangible memories associated with the location, people, and food. I treasure those moments.

My university honors me

Celebrating Dr. Yung Suk Kim: A Beacon of Scholarship and Mentorship at Virginia Union University

May 13, 2024

 

At Virginia Union University (VUU), we take immense pride in the accomplishments and contributions of our faculty members who not only excel in their fields but also profoundly impact the lives of our students. Among these esteemed educators, Dr. Yung Suk Kim stands out as a luminary in the realm of biblical scholarship and New Testament studies at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. READ THE NEWS.

Bible Study Material

I share my bible study material which I used in the Bible Study at the American Baptist Churches of the South Conference, on May 2, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia (Marriott Hotel): "Proclaim Boldly the Word of God to All" (Acts 13:42-52)

Book production is complete

Book production is officially complete with the final book cover and proofs. It will go to press, and soon I will get author copies. I love all the endorsements on the cover. Feeling so blessed and boosted. Thanks to all my endorsers: Mitzi J. Smith, Demetrius Williams, Jeehei Park, Ekaputra Tupamahu, and Nick Elder. Musa Dube’s blurb is on the publisher’s website.

2024 President's Lifetime Achievement Award Yung Suk Kim, PhD

Loving enemies

"Loving enemies does not mean condoning injustices or evil."
-Yung Suk Kim

Bible Study at the ABC of the South conference

I led a 90-minute bible study at the ABC (American Baptist Churches) of the South conference held at the Marriott Richmond Downtown Hotel, on May 2. I was like a professor and a black preacher at the same time, rocking the house. It was like a mini-lecture and revival meeting. People were fully engaged and supportive of me.

Theme: Shout It Again
Text: Acts 13:42–48 (52) (NRSVue)

 "Proclaim Boldly the Word of God to All" (Acts 13:42-52)

Takeaways
-The great theme of teaching/preaching is “the grace of God.”
-Recognize the crowds’ thirst/need for the word of the Lord.
-The word of the Lord is about salvation in various contexts.
-Amid disorientation (jealousy) by Jews, don’t stay in arguments with them. Focus on the purpose of the mission, which is to satisfy real people’s needs.
-Be a light for the gentiles. You are “the aroma of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15-16). “You are a letter of Christ” (2 Cor 3:3). You are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor 5:20).

Questions/Challenges
-What aspects of the word of the Lord will you preach and to whom?
-Are you ready to teach/preach the word of the Lord?
-What is the most urgent word of the Lord these days?

  

Reading broadly

The books I have read thus far will advance my interdisciplinary studies on the New Testament. I like "divergent thinking" rather than "convergent thinking," which limits our imagination and intuition. Note: "Convergent thinking" and "divergent thinking" are terms by Jaime Pineda in his book "Controlling Mental Chaos."

My colleague, Dr. Robert Wafawanaka, writes: "Reading is powerful. ... and learned that Einstein didn't finish high school and was a C student in college. But he read broadly and had an inquisitive mind fit for the genius he was. What a shame when our students want A's without the work. True, the mind is a terrible thing to waste!"

Uncharted waters

I discovered skeletons and nerve systems of the Lord's Prayer in Matt 6:9-13, part of the crucial texts I examine from cognitive science and interdisciplinary theological perspectives. I enjoy treading undeveloped territories to break ground on new possibilities of meaning. I don't mean that I shattered uncharted waters. Rather, I am going through them.

Photo courtesy: FreeImages

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.