Based on Dr. Yung Suk Kim’s writings—specifically his works like Christ's Body in Corinth, A Theological Introduction to Paul's Letters, and his contributions to post-colonial biblical criticism—he views Paul not as the founder of a new religion or a systematic theologian in an ivory tower, but as a marginalized, embodied, and subversive Jewish visionary.
Here is a breakdown of Yung Suk Kim’s specific view of the person and character of Paul:
1. Paul as a "Theologian of the Body" (Somatic Paul)
Kim places immense emphasis on Paul’s physical existence. Unlike traditional views that see Paul as concerned with "saving souls," Kim views Paul as deeply concerned with bodies.
The Suffering Apostle: Kim highlights that Paul often speaks from a position of weakness, suffering, and persecution. Paul views his own scarred and suffering body as a badge of honor that aligns him with the crucified Jesus.
Embodied Solidarity: For Kim, Paul is a leader who does not stand above his congregation but stands with them in shared suffering. Paul uses his own physical experiences to model what it means to live out the "faithfulness of Christ."
2. Paul as a Jewish Prophet, Not a "Christian" Convert
Kim aligns with the "New Perspective on Paul" and "Paul within Judaism" schools of thought to an extent, but adds his own nuance.
No "Conversion": Kim argues that Paul did not convert from Judaism to Christianity (since Christianity didn't exist yet). Instead, Paul experienced a prophetic call.
Re-reader of Tradition: Kim views Paul as a faithful Jew who was radically re-interpreting Jewish scripture and tradition in light of the revelation of Jesus. Paul’s goal was to expand the covenant to include Gentiles, not to abolish the Jewish law entirely.
3. Paul as an Anti-Imperial Strategist
Kim rejects the view of Paul as politically neutral or purely "spiritual."
Subversive Agent: Kim views Paul as a counter-imperial agent. By proclaiming Jesus as "Lord" (Kyrios), Paul was effectively committing treason against Caesar.
Community Organizer: Kim sees Paul as a grassroots organizer building alternative communities. Paul was trying to create social networks that operated on a "gift economy" and mutual support, directly opposing the Roman patronage system that relied on hierarchy and exploitation.
4. Paul as a Promoter of Equality (The "Radical Paul")
Kim carefully distinguishes between the historical Paul (author of Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, etc.) and the later "Pseudo-Paul" (author of the Pastoral Epistles like 1 Timothy).
The Egalitarian: Kim views the authentic Paul as fundamentally egalitarian. He argues that Paul worked side-by-side with women leaders (like Junia, Phoebe, and Prisca) and envisioned a community where social hierarchies were flattened.
The Domesticated Paul: Kim argues that the church later "tamed" Paul. He believes the passages in the New Testament where "Paul" commands women to be silent or slaves to obey masters are either later interpolations (added by scribes) or written by later followers who wanted to make Christianity seem less threatening to Roman society. Kim urges readers to recover the radical Paul beneath these later layers.
5. Paul as a Theologian of Reconciliation
Finally, Kim views Paul as a man driven by the urgent need for reconciliation—not just between God and humanity, but between divided groups of people.
- Kim argues that Paul’s primary anxiety was not "How do I get to heaven?" but "How do Jews and Gentiles eat at the same table?"
- In Kim’s view, Paul is a pragmatist trying to hold together a fragile, diverse coalition of people through the logic of love and mutual transformation.
Yung Suk Kim views Paul as a vulnerable, suffering leader who used his own marginalized status to challenge the might of the Roman Empire. He sees Paul not as a dogmatic gatekeeper of belief, but as a passionate advocate for a new way of living based on solidarity with the weak and the faithfulness of Jesus.
DISCLAIMER: The above is AI's view. Otherwise, check out Dr. Yung Suk Kim's books to find more about his view. Especially, books like Christ's Body in Corinth, A Theological Introduction to Paul's Letters, and How to Read Paul. There are also other important articles (see his CV in the About page).