Dancing Through Life

Conceptualizing love isn't enough; it must be expressed through actions. As James notes, "the body without the spirit is dead," and mere perceptions of love can be equally lifeless. Love is action, manifested in activities like dancing, singing, or helping others.

Once, during a Bible study, a participant asked, "How can I dance when I'm feeling low?" This resonated with our theme of dancing with God. My point was that dancing is possible in any circumstance, both physically and spiritually.

Dancing isn't just a display of joy; it's a holistic expression of our being. In Korea, the dance Hanpoori allows for expressing "Han," feelings of bitterness and pain, transforming these emotions into liberation and empowerment. This dance shows that expression isn't limited to joy but can occur at any emotional state.

New Book Project for This Summer

I am working on a new book project and have prepared a book description and table of contents. This book is designed to be both academic and practical, targeting an audience that includes scholars, clergy, and laypersons alike. It will comprise seven chapters, with each chapter approximately 7,000 words in length, totaling about 50,000 words for the entire book.

"Reading Parables through the Lens of Justice"

JUSTICE AND PARABLES

Reading Jesus's Parables through Political Philosophy

 (T&T Clark, 2026 projected)

The cover is tentative

 Key Words: Parables, Jesus, Political philosophy, Justice, Contemporary relevance, Transformative potential

In the final stages of my nearly 80,000-word manuscript, I explore the vital theme of justice. The book examines various types of parables in their historical and literary contexts, highlighting their contemporary relevance. My goal is to illuminate the moral challenges within these stories and inspire dialogue about justice and its implications in today's society. The book covers ten types of justice, including distributive, restorative, and environmental justice, and addresses significant events like the Sewol Ferry tragedy and the Itaewon Halloween crush in Korea, alongside other global issues. I engage with a diverse range of thinkers, including classical East Asian philosophers such as Confucius, Laozi, and Mencius, as well as Western philosophers.

Book Description

This book presents a comprehensive examination of justice as illuminated through the parables of Jesus, structured into ten distinct chapters, each dedicated to a specific type of justice. These chapters facilitate an in-depth analysis of parables while contextualizing them within the framework of contemporary justice issues, including environmental, racial, and global justice.
    Employing rigorous historical-critical methods alongside metaphorical interpretations, this book invites readers to engage with the moral complexities that each parable elucidates. The format allows for a non-linear exploration, empowering readers to select chapters based on their individual interests, thereby encouraging a personalized academic inquiry. Each chapter culminates in thoughtfully crafted discussion questions that promote critical engagement and foster dialogue in educational settings, thereby enhancing the interpretive process.
    The work addresses urgent global concerns such as climate change, systemic racism, and the interconnectedness of poverty and social justice, asserting that these themes are not merely modern dilemmas but are deeply rooted in the parables' narratives. By situating the teachings of Jesus within their historical milieu of first-century Palestine, the author argues for the relevance of these ancient texts in grappling with the complexities of contemporary moral and social issues.
    Ultimately, this book serves as an invitation to reevaluate and reinterpret the parables of Jesus through the lens of justice, urging scholars, students, and general readers alike to consider the transformative potential of these narratives. It positions itself not merely as a study of theological literature but as a robust framework for understanding and advocating for justice in a multifaceted, global context. Through this analysis, the work contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding justice, morality, and the imperative for societal equity.

[shorter version]
This book offers a comprehensive examination of justice as depicted in the parables of Jesus, structured into ten distinct chapters, each dedicated to a specific type of justice. By employing rigorous historical-critical methods and metaphorical interpretations, the book facilitates an in-depth analysis of moral complexities while contextualizing parables within contemporary issues such as environmental, racial, and global justice.
    Readers are empowered to explore the material non-linearly, selecting chapters based on individual interests. Each chapter includes discussion questions designed to promote critical engagement and dialogue in educational settings, thereby enhancing the interpretive process.
    Addressing pressing global concerns like climate change, systemic racism, and social justice, the author asserts that these themes resonate profoundly within the parables' narratives. By situating Jesus's teachings in their historical context of first-century Palestine, the work highlights their relevance in confronting contemporary moral dilemmas. This book invites readers to reevaluate the parables through the lens of justice, encouraging scholars and general readers alike to consider their transformative potential. It positions itself not merely as a study of theological literature but as a vital framework for understanding and advocating for equity in today's multifaceted global context.

 

   

In this book, I introduce readers to ten theories of political philosophy:

Classical liberalism, modern libertarianism, utilitarianism, communitarianism, egalitarianism, virtue theory, intersection of race, gender, class, and sexuality, postcolonial theories, environmentalism, and Marxist theory. 

The ten types of justice discussed in this book are as follows: Distributive, attributive, procedural, social, racial, restorative, compensatory, retributive, global, and environmental.

 

Correct understanding of justification by Paul

I wrote this statement, correcting the traditional doctrine:
"Justification by the grace of God through the faithfulness of Jesus for all who share in his faith."
(Yung Suk Kim, based on Rom 3:21-26)

I wrote extensively about Paul's theology, featuring the threefold gospel, where three elements are essential: God's righteousness, Jesus's faithfulness, and Christian participation in the faith of Jesus. 

For example, see my recent publication, How to Read Paul (Fortress, 2021). 

The more I teach, the more I am convinced about this.

"At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics"

I have some exciting news! I received the typeset pages for my edited volume, At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics: Transgressive Readings for Transformational Preaching. (Pickwick, 2025, forthcoming). I will proofread them carefully. The book is approximately 290 pages long, and I expect it to be published in May or June. Thanks to all of my contributors for their support.

This edited volume promises to be remarkable due to its thought-provoking nature. In addition to introductory chapters written by homiletics professors, the ten biblical scholars examine the same stories—the book of Ruth and the encounter between the Canaanite woman and Jesus—each from a different perspective and context. Five contributors focus on the book of Ruth, while the other five analyze the New Testament text. They provide multiple layers of unconventional, incisive, and powerful interpretations that lead to transformational preaching. Biblical texts are not monolithic; they do not remain isolated or stagnant. Instead, they require innovative, transgressive perspectives that allow readers to engage with the texts in ever-evolving contexts. See all contributions.

 

  

 

 

editorial board

I am thrilled to be part of the editorial board of Perspectives in Religious Studies, a renowned journal with a rich history rooted in Baptist schools, and I am grateful for the Nominating Committee's invitation to join this esteemed group. My term begins in July 2025 and ends in 2029 (a 4-year term).