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.

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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 Allison 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

Walking along my neighborhood boardwalk, I pondered the notion of justice in the natural world. To develop a comprehensive understanding, I must undertake more detailed observation. Nature differs fundamentally from human experience in several respects. 

First, natural entities are stationary; flora is rooted in place. Although seeds may be dispersed by wind, the plants themselves do not relocate. 

Second, natural entities operate on instinct, devoid of self-determination. 

Third, they lack the freedom of movement that defines human existence. 

Fourth, the natural world lacks a protective mechanism for justice. When lightning strikes a tree, adjacent trees may be damaged or destroyed without recourse. All natural entities must endure events without protection. Finally, nature operates without a centralized authority; growth and decay occur organically.

Despite these differences, we can still explore questions of justice in nature. What form of justice is applicable? Justice is present in nature to the extent that it comprises essential elements like air, wind, earth, water, chemicals, or genes, from which all living things benefit. Yet, other justice aspects, such as freedom of movement or protection systems, are lacking. These are distinctly human concepts relevant only to the human realm.

When we examine nature from a micro perspective, we can identify some "ideal" aspects of justice, which can be defined as "the right mode of living" according to nature.

First, plants and trees do not compete aggressively for resources. They are content with what they have and do not seek to take more from others.

Second, they thrive together in diversity while maintaining their individual identities.

Third, we can learn a lesson about social justice from the mustard seed. Jesus highlighted the significance of smallness in his teachings through parables. Though the mustard seed is the smallest of seeds, it possesses great potential to become what it is meant to be. Even if it doesn't grow into the biggest tree, like a cedar, the emphasis is on realizing one's potential rather than competing to be the largest.

Ultimately, we should not discriminate against others based on appearance, race, gender, class, or any other 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

About Feelings

It's important to check our feelings because we are emotional beings affecting our decisions. We must value them and draw our actions from them. But it's equally important that we honor our willful thoughts in response to feelings. We should not be controlled by feelings alone, especially when we fall into obsessive thinking or pessimism. Our voluntary, conscious thoughts must govern our will and actions. I am not saying feelings are separate from thoughts or vice versa. They both interact with each other in ways that enhance our well-being. But ultimate decision-making is done by thoughts. While we value what we feel, what is more important is our careful conscious thoughts and actions, which drive us to feel confident. So, I am more than what I feel. I am what I think. I am what I do.

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