I have taught at VUU since 2005 and received many testimonials from students. Some of them are posted below.
BS500: Introduction to Biblical Studies (Fall 2025)
Yung Suk Kim
Week 4 was my absolute favorite week of all classes. I was engaged at another level. I am
engaged every night, but this was one of the weeks that I had to reach out to my friend group and tell them that they needed to know Dr. Kim.
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These first four weeks have been a real journey for me. I learned new ways of reading the
Bible, let go of old habits that limited me, had important “aha” moments, and faced
challenges that helped me grow. The group talks made everything more meaningful
because they gave me the chance to listen to others, share my thoughts, and learn through
Conversation.
The biggest lesson I am taking away is that interpretation is not about finding one simple
answer. It is about dialogue. The Bible is not just a book of quick solutions but a
collection of many voices from different times and places. Together, these voices show
us God’s presence. What amazes me is how God still speaks through them today by
sometimes bringing comfort, sometimes pushing me to change, but always calling me to
deeper faith.
I am thankful for the readings, lectures, and group discussions. They helped me see that I
do not have to be afraid of asking questions. Instead, I can study the Bible with honesty
and curiosity. This class gave me tools to read scripture carefully and faithfully, and I
know I can carry these tools into ministry.
As I look ahead, I know I will keep working on how to connect what I learn in class with
the life of the church. But now I feel more ready and confident. I believe that studying the
Bible critically and in community is not a threat to faith, rather it is the very thing that
makes faith stronger and more real.
NT501: Introduction to the New Testament (2024)
From a student (NT501, Intro to NT), 2024
As I reflect on the past eight weeks of studying the Word of God under Dr. Kim's guidance, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for his diligence and passion for teaching. His commitment to sharing the teachings of the Bible has truly had a transformative impact on my life. I have been inspired to approach the scriptures with a renewed way of thinking, seeking truth and understanding the historical, cultural, and community contexts in which they were written.
Throughout this course, I have delved deeply into the life and teachings of Paul in a way that I had never experienced before. Dr. Kim's insights and interpretations have shed new light on who Paul was, his ministry, and his message. One major detail that stood out to me was how Paul's background and experiences shaped his approach to spreading the gospel, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and contextual understanding in sharing the Word of God.
In this journey of learning, I have had to unlearn preconceived notions and biases that I held about certain biblical teachings. This process has challenged me to approach the scriptures with an open mind and a willingness to reevaluate my beliefs in light of new knowledge and understanding. One of my aha moments during this course was when I realized the power of context in interpreting the Bible. Understanding the historical and cultural background of the scriptures has deepened my appreciation for the richness and complexity of the Word of God.
Throughout this course, I have delved deeply into the life and teachings of Paul in a way that I had never experienced before. Dr. Kim's insights and interpretations have shed new light on who Paul was, his ministry, and his message. One major detail that stood out to me was how Paul's background and experiences shaped his approach to spreading the gospel, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and contextual understanding in sharing the Word of God.
In this journey of learning, I have had to unlearn preconceived notions and biases that I held about certain biblical teachings. This process has challenged me to approach the scriptures with an open mind and a willingness to reevaluate my beliefs in light of new knowledge and understanding. One of my aha moments during this course was when I realized the power of context in interpreting the Bible. Understanding the historical and cultural background of the scriptures has deepened my appreciation for the richness and complexity of the Word of God.
Looking ahead, I am inspired to continue my study of the Bible with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication. I plan to apply the lessons I have learned from Dr. Kim in my own life, seeking to live out the teachings of the Bible in a way that is culturally relevant and impactful. I am excited to see where this newfound understanding will take me on my spiritual journey and how I can use it to further my growth and service in the community.
I am filled with a sense of gratitude as I think about the impact that Dr. Kim's teachings have had on me over the past eight weeks. His passion for the Word of God has ignited a fire within me to continue seeking truth and understanding in my spiritual journey.
Moving forward, I am committed to deepening my knowledge of the Bible and its teachings. I plan to immerse myself in the historical, cultural, and community contexts of the scriptures, allowing this deeper understanding to inform my beliefs and actions. I aim to approach the Word of God with a critical yet open mind, recognizing the importance of context in interpretation.
One key takeaway from this course is the importance of humility in the pursuit of spiritual knowledge. I have learned that true growth comes from being willing to unlearn and reevaluate my beliefs in light of new information. This process of self-reflection and transformation has been both challenging and rewarding, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have experienced it under Dr. Kim's guidance.
As I look to the future, I am excited to see how this newfound understanding will shape my relationship with God and others. I am determined to live out the teachings of the Bible in a way that is authentic and impactful, seeking to embody the love, grace, and compassion that are at the heart of the Christian faith.
In conclusion, I am deeply thankful for Dr. Kim's dedication to teaching the Word of God with passion and diligence. His commitment to helping his students grow spiritually has left a lasting impression on me, and I am eager to continue my journey of faith with a renewed sense of purpose and understanding. I am confident that the lessons I have learned in this course will continue to guide me as I seek to live out my faith in a way that honors God and serves others.
BS500: Introduction to Biblical Studies (2023)
From a student A (BS500, 2023)
One of Dr. Kim's most striking attributes is his proficiency in delivering asynchronous course content through video lectures. His dedication to explaining in-depth each facet of Old and New Testament scripture and supplemental readings is commendable. He is a true expert in Biblical Studies, as reflected by his extensive research on biblical interpretation and redaction criticism, the books he has authored, and his published videos on YouTube. Dr. Kim's demonstrated passion for his field made his course an enriching and intellectually stimulating experience for me.What truly sets Dr. Kim apart is his unwavering commitment to providing timely feedback, grading assignments promptly, and responding to student inquiries and questions with a sense of urgency. His efficiency in this regard is highly commendable, as it significantly contributed to my overall positive learning experience. His constructive feedback was invaluable in helping me understand and improve my grasp of Biblical scripture, various translations, applications, and perspectives, and his unforgettable admonition, "Test everything!"
From a student B (BS500, 2023)
I recently had the pleasure of taking Dr. Yung Suk Kim for Intro to Biblical Studies BS1 500 402. So far, this has been the most detailed professor I've encountered. Not only is he organized, but he makes himself available to us for what seems to be 24/7. Early on in the course, there were several classmates, myself included, who were dealing with delays in book deliveries, and Dr. Kim saw to it that we had peace about the books by personally scanning the required reading pages and articles. That was helpful and something he didn't have to do, but I appreciated him going the extra mile to ensure we had the necessary resources. From a student C (BS500, 2023)
The teaching I received in this class was mind-blowing. Some of the concepts were simple, but the majority of them were advanced topics that required superior thinking. The resources that were generously provided, group discussions, and Dr. Kim making himself available to us for any questions aided me in completing this course. As a first-year student in the Masters of Divinity program, having a professor who requires you to give 100% of yourself but with an encouraging demeanor makes a difference. Without question, I was mentally stretched and even socially challenged while taking this course but encountering Dr. Kim was the best thing for me. My entire pursuit of higher academia, ministry, and life outside of VUU has leveled up after taking BS1 500 402.
NT501: Intro to the New Testament (2022)
From a student D (BS500, NT501, 2022)
Dr. Kim is one of the best scholars I’ve experienced while at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. Dr. Kim is extremely passionate about the work he does, especially the importance of interpreting the biblical text. From his Introduction to Biblical Studies course, I gained a better understanding of how the historical context shaped and informed the biblical content and the importance of taking this information into consideration when reading and interpreting the biblical text in sermon preparation. Over the duration of the course, Dr. Kim presented assignments that developed our skills to be better bible scholars, ministers, and preachers in ministry. Additionally, these skills have helped me to dive deeper into my own bible study for my personal relationship with God. Dr. Kim was dedicated to making sure we had a full understanding of the course content and the significance of the journey we were embarking on.Also, Dr. Kim provided great insight into the New Testament throughout his Introduction to the New Testament course. After taking this course, I have a different understanding of the Gospels and why their depictions of Jesus’ life (except the Gospel of John) mirror in words, but target different audiences. The book of Matthew was the first book I read when I began reading my Bible, and I was shocked to learn that Mark is the foundational book for all the Gospels. I would argue that one of the consistent themes between both classes is the importance of knowing and understanding your audience to ensure you’re interpreting the biblical text as accurately as possible as well as making sure you’re you know the audience you’re communicating with. Lastly, I would like to add that Dr. Kim has conducted extensive research on many topics as they relate to biblical studies, the New Testament, Paul, etc. which makes him more than qualified to teach at an institution such as STVU. Additionally, Dr. Kim still continues to conduct research and expand his knowledge on all things biblical studies. This affords Dr. Kim an opportunity to stay abreast on this topic, and also share his discoveries with generations to come. Dr. Kim is one of the greatest assets at STVU and it was an honor to be a student under his tutelage during my tenure.
Dr. Kim’s publications of books, esteemed journals, scholarly articles and materials, and active collaborations with other respected authors are to be commended. I stand in awe at his ability to actively participate in research initiatives and untiringly teach with such fervency and tenacity. He unselfishly shared these materials with the students for our theological advancement and success. His efforts have been instrumental in advancing the academic prominence of Virginia Union University. Dr. Kim is genuine and intentional in promoting diversity and inclusion within the university community which did go unnoticed among the students and has proven to enrich the fabric of the university overall. His continued dedication to the principles of higher education in theological studies, his active participation at events pertaining to the Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology, and his tireless commitment to the betterment of Virginia Union University constitute Dr. Kim an exemplary professor. His contributions have, without a doubt, made a significant and lasting impact on the academic community overall. I can attest to being a better seminarian having studied under his tutelage and am grateful to know him.
From a student E (BS500, 2023)
It is with great enthusiasm that I provide this endorsement as I believe his contributions to the university have been exemplary and stellar. As a student under the tutelage of Dr. Kim, he has consistently exhibited a resolved and unwavering commitment to both academic discipline and the university commitment. His dedication to teaching, research, and service was evident in his impressive body of work. Dr. Kim’s organization and preparedness for class resulted in efficacy and a positive impact on his students. It was evident to me Dr. Kim’s teaching was marked by dedication, innovation, and a genuine concern for the academic and personal growth of his students. He demonstrated various methods to foster critical thinking, combined verbal and visual explanations, formatted detail-oriented approaches to provoke thought processes, and gave his students opportunities for active learning and reflection in group discussions. Dr. Kim’s love for teaching, effectiveness in the course, and tenacity for critical thinking ranked him as an exceptional professor.Dr. Kim’s publications of books, esteemed journals, scholarly articles and materials, and active collaborations with other respected authors are to be commended. I stand in awe at his ability to actively participate in research initiatives and untiringly teach with such fervency and tenacity. He unselfishly shared these materials with the students for our theological advancement and success. His efforts have been instrumental in advancing the academic prominence of Virginia Union University. Dr. Kim is genuine and intentional in promoting diversity and inclusion within the university community which did go unnoticed among the students and has proven to enrich the fabric of the university overall. His continued dedication to the principles of higher education in theological studies, his active participation at events pertaining to the Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology, and his tireless commitment to the betterment of Virginia Union University constitute Dr. Kim an exemplary professor. His contributions have, without a doubt, made a significant and lasting impact on the academic community overall. I can attest to being a better seminarian having studied under his tutelage and am grateful to know him.
From a colleague from the VUU (2023)
Dr. Kim received his promotion to Full Professor with tenure in July 2021. In the two years since his promotion, he has been nothing short of an amazing professor. Dr. Kim has functioned as a reverent scholar in all areas of academia including teaching, advising, professional development, publications, and university and community service. He has excelled in each category and is a beloved professor both by his students and colleagues. Most recently in fall Term 4, Dr. Kim taught several classes approximating sixty to seventy students in total. That alone is an amazing feat! However, he taught with humility and devotion to his students. Dr. Kim is a wonderful colleague whom I can depend on for any technological issue that I might have. In addition, he is an active member of the Society of Biblical Literature where he often presents papers and networks with national and international colleagues, as well as with potential publishers.From a colleague outside VUU (2023)
It is not an overstatement to say that Dr. Kim is one of the most prolific scholars in the field of New Testament studies today. Only in the past five years (since 2018), he has authored and edited fourteen books. This number, of course, is in addition to the books he published prior to 2018. Besides books, he has also authored numerous articles and essays during that period of time. As a scholar of color whose English is not his first language, Dr. Kim’s incredible gift to write many books and essays in a language that is not his own is truly an inspiration to many. Even many scholars whose English is their first language would not be able to do what he has done.
Dr. Kim’s recent works cover a broad range of topics from preaching, theology of resurrection, ethnicity, empire, parables, monotheism, the gospel of John, and many more. This undoubtedly demonstrates the breadth of his knowledge and his interlocutors in New Testament scholarship. Also, he published his works with highly regarded publishers in the academic world such as Cambridge University Press, Cascade, and Fortress Press. It is hard to find a scholar at Dr. Kim’s level of productivity, depth, and breadth.
From a student who responded to my comment on her paper (BS500, 2023):
Your answer is VERY helpful. Now I understand that I must bring out as much as possible about the context of a passage within a larger context, showing comparisons, giving pertinent information and examples of relevant subject matter that is dealt with in the text and how that relates to lines up against the larger context in which the passage lies. Thank you so much for your response, Dr. Kim. I greatly appreciate it and thank you for your phenomenal teaching. It was a pleasure to be in your class. Blessings to you.
Your answer is VERY helpful. Now I understand that I must bring out as much as possible about the context of a passage within a larger context, showing comparisons, giving pertinent information and examples of relevant subject matter that is dealt with in the text and how that relates to lines up against the larger context in which the passage lies. Thank you so much for your response, Dr. Kim. I greatly appreciate it and thank you for your phenomenal teaching. It was a pleasure to be in your class. Blessings to you.
From a RECENT GRADUATE (M.Div, 2022):
As a student, I was intrigued by Dr. Kim's passion for biblical scholarship. He challenged us to go beyond the stereotypical understanding, to dive deeper into what is being said, especially from a historical and contextual perspective. This avenue not only affected my scholastic studies but also my preparation for Sunday morning worship service and our church's weekly Bible studies. Today, I continue to reference several of his books as resources for my research and exegesis.I also must note that Dr. Kim's impression upon me went far beyond scholastics. I distinctly remember that Dr. Kim was one of the few professors who was there on my first day and my last day at STVU. Dr. Kim participated in our new student orientation and was there at our graduation. This additional engagement on his behalf was both endearing and inspiring, showing that he wanted to be actively engaged with students both inside and outside the classroom.
Introduction to Biblical Studies (BS500)
Dr. Kim showed great care and concern for those who haven't received our textbooks. He took the time to scan some of the assigned readings from the book and loaded them into the files section of teams.
Eight weeks ago, I started the Intro to Biblical Studies class with Dr. Kim at STVU. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I am so glad it happened. While eight weeks isn't a lot of time, it is more than enough time to be challenged. Every class has left me speechless! There is a difference between reading the bible to write a sermon and studying the bible for scholarly understanding. Although this isn't a preaching curriculum, there's no way I will ever be able to preach the same after this. The books, articles, lectures, group discussions, papers, and projects have all opened my eyes. My three takeaways are Biblical Interpretation, Textual Methods, and the various criticism looks. After class tonight, I sat at my desk and asked myself if I believe what I believe because it's what I trust or because it's all I ever heard.
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I have learned so much that it is going to take quite some time to thoroughly process and digest all the rich content that I’ve learned over the last eight weeks. I am grateful for the readings, articles, group discussions, and great resources that we’ve been given to read that it may help transform our way of thinking, and processing and ultimately change our entire way of encountering biblical interpretation. I never knew there were so many types and methods of criticism until encountered this class. I never thought about the different questions to consider and ponder on when reading the bible, until I encountered this class.
My mind has been opened, and I’ve been given a new vernacular fresh perspective, and a desire to incorporate meaningful biblical interpretation into my study. Because of this class, many thoughts, questions, and conversations have turned into sermons that will one day bless many listeners. Not only that but because of the great group that I have been a part of, great relationships have been formed because of this class. The question is, where do I go from here? Well, from here, I continue my seminary journey, I continue evolving in education, and I continue to grow. I take what I have learned and value it as needful resources to continue to use as I perfect my craft in preaching and ministering the word of God as well as in my devotion. I share my new wealth of knowledge with others who may benefit from it as I have. Most importantly, I continue to foster and build on the relationships that have been founded here.
Thank you, Dr. Kim, for introducing biblical interpretation to me. Thank you for giving me terminology, language, and direction when I am studying the bible. Thank you for consistently lecturing to us with such passion that is always felt in each class. We can see clearly that you love what you do, and you don’t take lightly the time and effort that you put into making your class what it is. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed, but it is appreciated tremendously, thank you for the last eight weeks.
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The Video, How to Read the Bible Transformatively introduced a new theory. Dr Kim’s theory on Holistic Human Transformation, I found to be quite intriguing. With Hannah as an example, I was able to grasp the central ideas and could understand the move from one part of the theory to the next. In the transformative respect, I truly appreciated how the three modes of life exist. It is not only a theory, but I found it to be a way of thinking. A critical way of seeing life. Jesus is our Lord and we need to have his Hand in our life.
Because God’s hand is on my life, I believe I can safely journey to each one of the modes of life. It also seems a little like the grief cycle. At times we will visit different modes. These thoughts and others only serve as proof that God has intentionally made room for me at VUU. After this course, I would like to understand how to develop a theory. I work with families and children and am working toward Chaplaincy once I graduate from VUU, M.Div. I feel there is so much yet to learn and I am ready to capture as much as I can.
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Reflecting on the course structure, I must admit that the asynchronous format has proven highly beneficial while presenting its challenges. It has allowed me to engage deeply with the material and apply what I've learned in the most relevant way to my journey and ministry. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kim for guiding this enlightening journey of biblical interpretation. I am eager and excited to continue exploring and deepening my understanding of the Bible in the future. This course has been transformative, and I look forward to the continued growth and insights.
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Today, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Yung Suk Kim for his invaluable guidance and teachings on the diversity of interpretive methods in biblical studies. Under his mentorship, I have had the privilege of exploring various approaches and perspectives that have greatly expanded my ability to engage with biblical texts on a deeper level.
Dr. Kim's emphasis on the importance of diverse interpretive methods has been transformative. Through his lectures and discussions, he has shown us that the Bible is a rich tapestry of literary genres, historical contexts, and cultural nuances and that employing a singular interpretive lens simply cannot capture its multifaceted nature. Instead, he encouraged us to embrace a multitude of interpretive tools and lenses, each shedding light on different aspects of the text.
One of the most significant lessons I have learned from Dr. Kim is the value of historical-critical approaches. By analyzing the socio-cultural and historical context in which the biblical texts were written, I have gained a deeper understanding of the messages they convey. This approach has helped me recognize the distinct voices of the authors and the communities they represented, enabling me to appreciate the unique perspectives embedded within the text.
Furthermore, Dr. Kim introduced us to narrative-critical methods, which have revolutionized the way I engage with biblical stories. Through the exploration of plot, characters, and literary devices, I have learned to appreciate the artistry of the biblical narratives and the theological insights they convey. This approach has allowed me to delve into the depths of biblical stories and extract timeless truths that resonate with contemporary life. Another interpretive method that Dr. Kim encouraged us to explore was postcolonial criticism. By examining the power dynamics and cultural biases prevalent in biblical texts, this approach has helped me uncover voices that have been historically marginalized or silenced. It has challenged me to question dominant interpretations and to seek alternative perspectives that promote justice, inclusivity, and equality.
Moreover, Dr. Kim's emphasis on feminist criticism has been eye-opening. By critically examining gender roles, power structures, and patriarchal norms within the Bible, I have gained a heightened awareness of the experiences and contributions of women in biblical times. This approach has empowered me to recognize the importance of gender equality and to advocate for a more inclusive interpretation of scripture.
In conclusion, I extend my sincerest gratitude to Dr. Yung Suk Kim for his unwavering commitment to expanding our interpretive horizons. His teachings on the diversity of interpretive methods have enabled me to approach biblical texts with newfound depth, sensitivity, and curiosity. I am grateful for the transformational impact he has had on my understanding of the Bible and my ability to utilize various interpretive lenses. The knowledge and insights I have gained under his guidance will undoubtedly continue to shape my journey as a student of biblical studies and as a person of faith.
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I am grateful for the stretch. I value and respect exceptional minds like Dr. Kim who is not afraid to push the envelope. I am made better because of it.
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I look forward to growing in my biblical knowledge under the instruction of Dr. Kim and I know from this experience of my first week that my eyes have not seen all that I can imagine and learn from my very first class in seminary under Dr. Kim.
Dr. Kim’s class encouraged me to challenge my critical bible thinking on a whole new level that I am absolutely excited to preach about.
I so appreciate taking this class and will never forget this as long as I live. Dr. Kim gave us a final blessing when he closed out and I am blessed beyond measure to have been a student of Dr. Kim.
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In our final class, we had the opportunity to share our thoughts on what we've learned and how we plan to continue engaging with biblical studies. It was inspiring to hear my classmates' reflections on their personal growth and the ways in which they intend to apply their newfound knowledge. One of the things that I've learned is that the Bible can be read transformatively. This means that our interpretations can have a profound impact on our lives and the world around us. This is a powerful realization, and it's one that I'm going to carry with me as I continue to read and study the Bible. I'm also grateful for the community of learners that I've been a part of in the class. My classmates have challenged me, inspired me, and supported me. I've learned so much from them, and I'm so grateful for their friendship.
2023 Spring
One student wrote in his learning journal:
"I have rarely seen an individual talk for over three hours and never lose his passion, energy, and motivation about the content. Dr. Kim is not only a trained scholar, but he is a passionate human. His love for humanity bleeds through his teaching. This kind of teaching should be on every seminary campus. I did not come to STVU to get a degree. I came that I might get acquainted with God all over again. This experience has enhanced my life, increased my faith, and shaped and inspired my preaching. For that, I am grateful and owe so much to Dr. Kim." (March 4, 2023)
The impact of this class on my understanding of the New Testament has been profound. It has challenged my assumptions and beliefs about Christianity and has provided me with a more nuanced and critical perspective on the texts and their historical and cultural contexts. This class has taught me to approach scripture with humility and openness, recognizing that there are no easy answers or definitive interpretations. It has also raised important questions about the relationship between scripture and its historical context, the complexities of authorship and interpretation, and the ongoing need for dialogue and debate within the Christian community. Overall, this class has inspired me to continue exploring these questions and to approach the study of the Bible with a sense of curiosity, humility, and an open mind.
2022 Fall
From a student G.O who took an asynchronous course, BS500, Fall of 2022
Good evening Dr. Kim,---
First, I would like to say thank you so much for your time, energy, knowledge, commitment, passion, and prayers; as they all came together to make this course great and create an exceptional learning experience. It really has been an enlightening and inspirational learning experience, despite the circumstances that developed along the way.
I learned several things through this course. First, there is a big difference between bible study and biblical studies, with the obvious one being the multiple perspectives that go into biblical studies and interpretation versus the often-singular perspective associated with bible study.
Secondly, I learned about the three elements of biblical interpretation: 1) the reader (contextual choice) which has to do with the reason we read the text; 2) the text itself (textual choice) which deals with how the text is read, including the historical (meaning behind the text) with a focus on the author, meaning within the text, and meaning in front of the text; 3) the reading lens is a hermeneutical choice that addresses what is being read. It involves the perspective through which the text is read. It was also interesting to learn that the Bible itself does not give a single view or theology, hence the need for the reader's involvement in the process. In addition, there are three layers of difficulties associated with the text, translation, and interpretation, and a major contributing factor to it is the fact that we do not have the original text.
Finally, I will highlight a few more key points, and they include the assessment of church effectiveness not by its member size but by the essence of the gospel and mission alignment being practiced. We should be critical of others’ work but also not forget to do likewise to ours as well, as our ideology could get in the way of a proper interpretation of scripture as well. Since I am the final reader, I need to take a stand and take responsibility for it. Hence, it is critical to either follow your tips for biblical interpretation or develop an effective set of tips or steps that would be consistent, thorough, and repeatable.
Again, thank you so much for your time, guidance, support, and commitment throughout this course.
Have a blessed week!
From a student BM who took BS500 (Intro to Bib Studies) in the Fall of 2022
Dr. Kim taught me that I have a choice in the text. Whether it is bible study or biblical interpretation, these methods work hand in hand to create and develop contextual understanding. I am willing to question and test everything, and at the same time stay open-minded and critical. No longer should I base my interpretation and understanding based on what I am told but be willing to approach the text from the meanings "behind, within, and in front of the text," accessing the methods of criticism. Interpreting the text takes time, and I must be available to allow the text to speak to me. This is what I have learned during this course.
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From a student TD, BS500, Fall 2022: First, let me say how much I am enjoying our Biblical Interpretation class. It is both challenging and enlightening and I'm truly inspired by the passion with which you teach. Also, I am thoroughly enjoying your work on Paul.
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From a student who took an asynchronous course BS500, Intro to Bib Studies, September 2022:
Week one of this course has been very exciting and also enlightening. From the start, the required readings, lectures, and PowerPoint slides kept me energized and wanting to learn more. The very first thing you spoke had me rethinking things that I have always known to be true. In my community, the Bible was taught to us from the perspective of the teacher, and for years it was all I knew to be true was that person's perspective. "Test everything hold fast to what is good" (1 Thess 5:21) will be my new approach in everything in life. Many people read the Bible like it is a single book reading from the beginning to the end. The Bible is actually made of many books and thousands of writings by thousands of authors. I feel the Bible is imperfectly perfect with some truth and many conflicts based on faith and morals. When interpreting a scripture one must be focused and open-minded so they may be able to see new things. Biblical interpretation involves three kinds of choices. The reader, text, and hermeneutical lens.
Other students:
“Dr. Kim: You will never know how much of a blessing you and your work mean to my ministry. May God continue to bless you and keep you! That is my prayer.”(August 2022
"Thank you for the timely encouragement you sent to our class yesterday. I really appreciate your conviction for teaching and your honesty about this process. Your words are powerful and will stretch far beyond this semester for me. I am praying to remain open and humble so I can take in - and give - as much as possible. Thank you for pointing us to God and pointing us to prayer." --BS500 (Fall 2022)
"In conclusion, I gained a wealth of knowledge from the extraordinary New Testament class in addition to the magnificent teachings of Dr. Kim. This class has provided me with the tools I longed for as a teacher of God's word. I now have both the confidence and wisdom I lacked for many years while preparing to teach Sunday School classes as well as preparing sermons. Lastly, I can now address the Apostle Paul and his letters with a much better understanding." --NT501 (2022)
One colleague:
"As I said before, my class reads a couple of your writings. They love yours, saying that they are clear and rich. I appreciate your scholarship and ministry!" (2/17/22)
A student from Intro to NT class (Feb 2022):
"Hi Dr. Kim, Thanks so much for the grade and the comments. I will do better on my next paper with the suggestions you have given me. Thanks also for your Podcast, I truly enjoyed them, and I told our group how valuable they were. I have learned so much while in your class, from your PowerPoint, books, and podcast. Thanks for all the research you have done and thanks for sharing it with your students."
2021-2004
From my colleague (Oct 2021):
I have known Dr. Kim as a faculty colleague since 2005. Since that time, his scholarship has been unparalleled with over twenty books plus many other essays and articles in journals and other publications. He has also done several book reviews including books published by SBL colleagues. Dr. Kim has also published books in his native Koren language. Not only is Dr. Kim prolific, but he is also multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and cosmopolitan. His scholarship addresses many New Testament issues especially Pauline theology. He brings a particular lens to his reading of biblical texts. His reading is always cultural, transformative, and critical. He also has a special interest in transformative reading and teaching and seeks to empower his students and younger scholars.-------------
Dr. Kim has taught at Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology for about 16 years. In the time that he has been here, he has been the most prolific faculty member in the School of Theology and usually with multiple publications in a year. He is a critical thinker with an active mind and has published extensively in New Testament studies.
Dr. Kim is also an active member of the academy and regularly attends the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion Annual Conference where he presents papers or engages with both national and international theological faculty colleagues. I have read most of his works and I find him to be a deeply reflective thinker and an inquisitive writer with the ability to make the profound simple and yet comprehensible for all readers.
One reader matters! I received this message from an unknown person:
Good morning Professor Kim,
I just wanted to let you know that I came across your article "The Story of Hannah From a Perspective of Han" while preparing for a short devotional on Hannah’s prayer and honestly I was blown away! I had never either encountered your work or been introduced to this idea of thinking about theological concepts with anthropological embedded ideas and diversity frameworks (Korean-cultural lens). It was beautiful, inspiring, a breath of fresh air, and so exciting. I spent over four hours just reflecting on a couple of your thoughts and can’t wait to spend many more continuing to build on your ideas. I was so blessed by your thinking and writing. May God continue to bless your work and your ministry is my prayer. Blessings on all this week will bring your way (Oct 9, 2021).
BS500: Intro to Biblical Stuides
In my first-day virtual class of Introduction to Biblical Studies, I found these comments in the conversation box:
"Authority is not knowledge!!!!""Unlock, activate, deploy the word.""I'm in here standing like it's late night at the convention... This is good!""Applicable -- giving people something they can use in their lives.""Dr. Kim is doing the doggone thang. He is sharp and he makes the lesson come alive..."
"Your book was challenging as it forced me to unlearn previously learned thoughts about Paul. This class is stretching my thought process in addition to my faith and for that I am grateful."
"Thank you Dr. Kim for an awesome class. This class taught me about order and how important it is. This class also taught me that I have more control and choices and they are unlimited. God Bless you and your family and your labor of love for your work"
"Ditto my sister. Dr. Kim, the material, wisdom, and knowledge you shared were priceless. Thank you and may God Bless you all!!!"
"Dr. Kim thank you so much for your kind words. I really enjoyed your class and the level of excitement and enthusiasm in which you taught. It showed your passion for the material you presented and your care for us as students. Also, thank you for the times that you reached out to me by text and phone to assist me."
May 2021
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Greetings Dr. Kim,
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood and my hope is this email finds you doing exceptional. I have been reflecting on my STVU experience and wanted to share my appreciation with you. Thank you for challenging my traditional thought pattern, thank you for expanding my scriptural perspective, thank you for sharing your theological expertise, thank you for your books, and thank you for the intellectual seeds you have sown to enhance my ministry palate. I am better for sitting under your tutelage if not for one semester in the Parable course. Thank you, I will never be the same. Thank you for teaching me that ministry and learning never end. You were a gift and I am humbled to have shared with you on my journey. Please have the greatest of days on purpose. (May 4, 2021).
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Dr. Kim,
I just saw this recognition of you. Congratulations! You so deserve this and more. You are such an effective--more accurately, infectious--teacher. Thank you for what you taught me last term. 2020--21 Pandemic Times
NT501 (Intro to the NT, 2021)
"Seminary only promises half a missionary; hence it is up to me to build the other half. I think it will take a lifetime, but it is worth the trouble seeing that I have to meet my God. I need to model the example of Jesus to become the person that God has called us to be. In doing so, the seminary has become beneficial. In other words, the work begins in seminary and it continues until our last breath is taken. Thank you, Dr. Kim, for playing an instrumental role in my spiritual and intellectual development. I have enjoyed your class and all of the materials that you have shared. Moreover, I enjoyed your person the most when you preached the “good news” through the lecture without fail. Sometimes I almost weep when I see all of you pushing forth for the love of God."
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Dr. Kim,
I truly enjoyed your class, especially your PPT, Blogs, and video presentations. Your class presentations were thorough and I appreciated that. I purchased a notebook so that I can refer to my notes and your PPT presentations. It was an honor to sit under your teaching. I appreciate your passion for the new testament and because of you, I will never read the NT the same. God's Blessings to you. --from a student taking Intro to the New Testament (2021)
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"I agree wholeheartedly. Dr. Kim your passion for teaching and for the New Testament is inspiring. I continue to refer to your teaching and writing to enhance my growth in my faith and my service as a minister. God bless you and may you continue to bless us with your wisdom and writing" (STVU alumna).
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BS500 (Intro to Bib. Studies, 2021)
I truly enjoyed your instruction and I thank you for diligently working through the technical issues we experienced this quarter to deliver a rewarding academic experience.
I truly enjoyed your instruction and I thank you for diligently working through the technical issues we experienced this quarter to deliver a rewarding academic experience.
In my journey here and trying to figure out what kind of theologian I should become and my own Biblical lens, I have struggled with the idea of womanism; not because I do not believe in womanism but because I could not see it fully. In this class, I heard you ask/say, where are we in the text. WOW! That was a turning point for me! Where am I in the text? That allows me to literally step into the world that I am reading and even more, effectively bring it back here. Lastly, this class stretched me in seeing differing views.
I plan on taking all that I have learned from this class and applying it to my work in curriculum design and in the church. in both arenas, it is important to have sound Biblical study skills and exegesis. I am excited to take the things I have learned on to PhD work after getting my MACE and working on some writing skills. I would like to take a few more of your classes once I come back for my MACE. I am excited to use such practical knowledge and help people gain a better understanding of the Bible through different forms of criticism. I will also continue to stretch myself by trying to use historical criticism and better understanding and focusing on history in the text.
I plan on taking all that I have learned from this class and applying it to my work in curriculum design and in the church. in both arenas, it is important to have sound Biblical study skills and exegesis. I am excited to take the things I have learned on to PhD work after getting my MACE and working on some writing skills. I would like to take a few more of your classes once I come back for my MACE. I am excited to use such practical knowledge and help people gain a better understanding of the Bible through different forms of criticism. I will also continue to stretch myself by trying to use historical criticism and better understanding and focusing on history in the text.
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Comments on "Teams" after the last class. I said: God bless you!
Then these "thank you" notes follow:
-Yes, thank you. I feel your LOVE for teaching and Biblical Studies even thru the computer.
-Awesome class! I grew tremendously! God bless you, Dr. Kim.
-Thank you for your genuine care to create a great learning experience!
-I have grown in my interpretation of the Bible, I came in with a narrow mind.
-Dr. Kim, thank you for the effort you made to keep us abreast of all the virtual technologies. Your lectures have been fruitful and I have learned a lot during this semester.
Then these "thank you" notes follow:
-Yes, thank you. I feel your LOVE for teaching and Biblical Studies even thru the computer.
-Awesome class! I grew tremendously! God bless you, Dr. Kim.
-Thank you for your genuine care to create a great learning experience!
-I have grown in my interpretation of the Bible, I came in with a narrow mind.
-Dr. Kim, thank you for the effort you made to keep us abreast of all the virtual technologies. Your lectures have been fruitful and I have learned a lot during this semester.
_______________
What I learned from this class first that intrigued me most was the support of women in ministry. I learned that Paul’s letters due to the number of times they were translated may have tampered with Paul’s original text. I love Paul’s work and I have studied Paul before, he had women working alongside him all throughout his ministry. If no one else in the bible supports women in ministry it is Paul, so it becomes challenging when trying to defend my “Call” to ministry with men who probably have never taken a course on biblical interpretation. Another thing I learned in this course was the textual (how to read), contextual (why do I read), and hermeneutical (what to read) concepts when interpreting the text. I learned that the three layers of difficult text and translation are important in the interpretation of a text. Also, I will not forget the: meaning behind the text, the meaning within the text, and the meaning in front of the text. I thought this was a good way to remember how to interpret a text. The final thing I learned in this course was that Dr. Kim is very knowledgeable and expressive in sharing his knowledge. Dr. Kim was genuine and wanted me to learn and glean as much information as I could. Dr. Kim’s resources were very helpful to me in referring back to his presentation in case there was something I missed. Dr. Kim’s book on Biblical Interpretation is easy to read and understand. The book for me was very understandable and I was able to apply the principles in my exegesis paper._______________
I have learned many things throughout this course offered by Dr. Kim and I also had to unlearn a lot of things that I thought were true about the Word and true about who God is. Over the years through tradition and bad theology I learned many things that I did not know I was even picking up and adopting as my own theology and it is in no way biblical correct because there is no evidence of it. On the first day of class we were offered the evidence by Dr. Kim that Jesus does not know all things, and my eyes opened up real wide at the thought of this because I was under the impression that Jesus was all-knowing and if he is all-knowing then he does know everything, but through scriptural evidence provided by Dr. Kim I see that this is not exactly true. Just from that day of the course, I knew I would be in for a ride the rest of the semester and it truly was that. _______________
We learned many things from this course to include what exactly biblical interpretation was, the difficulties of biblical interpretation, different matters of the text and translation, and matters of interpretation. I think my favorite class attended was the second week where we learned redaction criticism, source, and form and when we compared Mark 1: 9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, and Luke 3: 21-22. Our group discussion was lively, and we discussed the differences between Matthew and Luke who were writing to two different audiences: Matthean and Lukan communities. Just these two writers writing to different audiences, they changed their text slightly and I had never known this before. I always wonder to myself, “Why if the disciples all walked with Jesus, is the text different from each perspective? If God did it, shouldn’t they all have the same experience?” But that is not the case, we have to understand that they were writing to different people and were attempting to reach the people to who they were writing, for example, Matthew wrote to the Jews to reassure them that Christ was indeed the Messiah that they were in eager expectation for. From learning these items, I have been looking at Scripture differently and teaching my Bible Class at my church differently also. I thought I was doing the best that I could do, but during this class, I had to adjust the way that I look at the text and to make doubly sure that I eisegete the text and not exegete it like I have done so many times in the past. I also had to unlearn many things such as the way that I try so many times to put African Americans in the text of those that suffered oppression.
Another thing that I have to unlearn is assuming that there is always a masculine perspective of the text because a man wrote it. The Book of Ruth and our exegesis paper that we had to turn in, it helped me to discover my love for the real interpretation of the text and how much clearer it seems when you actually look at the historical context and the literary context. We must read behind the text, within the text, and in front of the text in order to interpret the Scriptures accurately.
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First of all, from here I will be sure to interpret the text correctly and to make sure that when I am approached about a biblical question I make sure to understand first the time that author was writing and understand the writer was not writing to us in 2020 but was explaining what was happening in the time that the text was presented. I am making a commitment to be able to change the name from our Bible Study to Bible Class to make sure that we learn things in class and not just inspire but also analyze the text and reveal what God is saying through the authors of the text. Next, I will be taking Theological Thinking and also Intro to Preaching after I finish this class. I will take what I learned from this course and apply it to every other class and elective that I take at the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. I will also make sure before I prepare sermons to read the text multiple times as this has been always told to us by Dr. Kim. Sometimes I would read the text almost 5 times in order to understand the scripture, the context, offer criticism, and so forth. _______________
The impact this class has had on my future life, as a seminary student, is
indescribable. This class has helped me to see, with wide-open eyes, the real
story behind the Word of God. The study of interpretations has strengthened
my faith to look beyond the verses I may be reading to seek the reality behind
the message. This format will allow my studying to be more productive in my
future ministry. So I can boldly stand in the gratitude of being “called” by God.
The Academic Year 2019-20
During COVID-19 Emergency Time Teaching (NT501, 2020):
"I really have to say Dr. Kim; I like the way you have really made this transition WORK! You have kept us intact with emails, weekly videos, and now the podcasts. This has been a very smooth transition; you have answered a lot of our questions and concerns on your podcasts and you have been willing to pour out to us all that you have learned over your career. I love the part where you say 'Hello, this is Dr. Kim speaking to the World!'"
"I can honestly say. I LOVE LOVE your podcasts, and I have rewound and started over and played the clip only to repay it again. It's easy listening and my favorite subject is the Bible. I have taken all your information and I have made a chart and separated all of Matthew’s important facts, Mark’s, Luke’s, and John’s.
_______________
Again, I am so thankful for the power points because you say more than you write on the slides. I can re-listen and that’s one of the luxuries we do not get in person. In coming to class, we hear it once, and then it's off to the next thing. However, podcasts and blogs, it's more personal and within reach. In the past two weeks, your voice has become a household voice, I do not use any headphones so when I am listening to audio.
_______________
Bless you, Dr. Kim, I just wanted to give you a quick “shout out”, since we have been schooling online, I call it a pleasure to get up in the mornings and get my cup of coffee and listen to your podcasts or re-listen to your PowerPoint with audio! You mentioned in our group online meeting on Wednesday that this is your 1st time doing online... You have done an AWESOME job, you are by far the best online teacher I have ever had, I did online partially while getting my associate's and bachelor's many years ago. However, clarity is absolutely great! Even for words that I have found to be difficult, your explanation is everything! THANK YOU DR. KIM for your time and effort!"
"I really have to say Dr. Kim; I like the way you have really made this transition WORK! You have kept us intact with emails, weekly videos, and now the podcasts. This has been a very smooth transition; you have answered a lot of our questions and concerns on your podcasts and you have been willing to pour out to us all that you have learned over your career. I love the part where you say 'Hello, this is Dr. Kim speaking to the World!'"
"I can honestly say. I LOVE LOVE your podcasts, and I have rewound and started over and played the clip only to repay it again. It's easy listening and my favorite subject is the Bible. I have taken all your information and I have made a chart and separated all of Matthew’s important facts, Mark’s, Luke’s, and John’s.
_______________
Again, I am so thankful for the power points because you say more than you write on the slides. I can re-listen and that’s one of the luxuries we do not get in person. In coming to class, we hear it once, and then it's off to the next thing. However, podcasts and blogs, it's more personal and within reach. In the past two weeks, your voice has become a household voice, I do not use any headphones so when I am listening to audio.
_______________
Bless you, Dr. Kim, I just wanted to give you a quick “shout out”, since we have been schooling online, I call it a pleasure to get up in the mornings and get my cup of coffee and listen to your podcasts or re-listen to your PowerPoint with audio! You mentioned in our group online meeting on Wednesday that this is your 1st time doing online... You have done an AWESOME job, you are by far the best online teacher I have ever had, I did online partially while getting my associate's and bachelor's many years ago. However, clarity is absolutely great! Even for words that I have found to be difficult, your explanation is everything! THANK YOU DR. KIM for your time and effort!"
_______________
"I have learned a lot in both classes from you. I know you will continue to do great things, including writing books and journal articles. Thank you for helping me to see and interpret the Bible in a different light. I appreciate it."
"I’m learning as I go. Really do miss your class and how you pour out everything in your teaching. Sometimes I thought you were going to have a heart attack. Hope to see you soon."
"It has been a pleasure, an honor, and sheer joy being in your class and learning from your wisdom and knowledge, which you shared so passionately."
"I am grateful to you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with me as it relates to the New Testament. I must admit, I was very nervous when I walked into your class. Once I began to read the required readings, it made it much easier for me to have a dialogue with my peers, and read passages from the New Testament with confidence."
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BS500 (2019-20):
I hope you are doing well, I wanted to give you some feedback on our class. I have to share with you that most of my fellow students really enjoyed the latter portion of our semester. We really appreciate you hearing us out and being more approachable. It really helped our comprehension of the material. Thank you for being so open and willing to have a healthy conversation with us.
Words from an alumna of STVU (sourced from LinkedIn, 2019):
"Of all the professors at VUU, you made the best impression ... I think your teachings and preaching continue to be a part of my life to this day. Thank you and keep allowing God to use you."
I am humbled and teary. My former and current students congratulate me on my award of Scott & Stringfellow Outstanding Professor:
"Congratulations Dr. Kim! You are an exceptional educator. I’m honored to have studied under your instruction." "So proud of you Professor Kim. Blessings!" "I’m so proud of you and thankful to be one of your students! Your passion is unmatched!" "STVU is blessed to have you." --May 2019
Congratulations Dr. Kim your humility mirrors your intellect and passion for learning and teaching others. You have been and continue to be an inspiration and blessing in my life. Your Biblical Studies and New Testament classes pushed me to grow in my understanding and appreciation for the sacred text. I always looked forward to your class with excitement and reverence. To this day what I learned from you over 10 years ago continues to lead and guide my reading, studying, and sermon prep. I cannot thank you enough for your dedication and your teaching. The award you received is well deserved. " Well done thy good and faithful servant" Many blessings to you today and always
Hello Dr. Kim, as a proud graduate of the class of 2010, my studies with you on the New Testament will forever be a part of my ministry. Your teaching stretched and strengthened my studies of the Gospel. Your award is well deserved. Congratulations and God's blessings to you as you continue to grow up preachers of the Gospel!
Congratulations Dr. Kim. I will always remember and appreciate having you as a professor of NT studies.
Congratulations Dr. Kim! I will always remember your class! It was very enlightening and instrumental in my growth process.
"I have learned a lot in both classes from you. I know you will continue to do great things, including writing books and journal articles. Thank you for helping me to see and interpret the Bible in a different light. I appreciate it."
"I’m learning as I go. Really do miss your class and how you pour out everything in your teaching. Sometimes I thought you were going to have a heart attack. Hope to see you soon."
"It has been a pleasure, an honor, and sheer joy being in your class and learning from your wisdom and knowledge, which you shared so passionately."
"I am grateful to you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with me as it relates to the New Testament. I must admit, I was very nervous when I walked into your class. Once I began to read the required readings, it made it much easier for me to have a dialogue with my peers, and read passages from the New Testament with confidence."
_______________
BS500 (2019-20):
I hope you are doing well, I wanted to give you some feedback on our class. I have to share with you that most of my fellow students really enjoyed the latter portion of our semester. We really appreciate you hearing us out and being more approachable. It really helped our comprehension of the material. Thank you for being so open and willing to have a healthy conversation with us.
Words from an alumna of STVU (sourced from LinkedIn, 2019):
"Of all the professors at VUU, you made the best impression ... I think your teachings and preaching continue to be a part of my life to this day. Thank you and keep allowing God to use you."
I am humbled and teary. My former and current students congratulate me on my award of Scott & Stringfellow Outstanding Professor:
"Congratulations Dr. Kim! You are an exceptional educator. I’m honored to have studied under your instruction." "So proud of you Professor Kim. Blessings!" "I’m so proud of you and thankful to be one of your students! Your passion is unmatched!" "STVU is blessed to have you." --May 2019
Congratulations Dr. Kim your humility mirrors your intellect and passion for learning and teaching others. You have been and continue to be an inspiration and blessing in my life. Your Biblical Studies and New Testament classes pushed me to grow in my understanding and appreciation for the sacred text. I always looked forward to your class with excitement and reverence. To this day what I learned from you over 10 years ago continues to lead and guide my reading, studying, and sermon prep. I cannot thank you enough for your dedication and your teaching. The award you received is well deserved. " Well done thy good and faithful servant" Many blessings to you today and always
Hello Dr. Kim, as a proud graduate of the class of 2010, my studies with you on the New Testament will forever be a part of my ministry. Your teaching stretched and strengthened my studies of the Gospel. Your award is well deserved. Congratulations and God's blessings to you as you continue to grow up preachers of the Gospel!
Congratulations Dr. Kim. I will always remember and appreciate having you as a professor of NT studies.
Congratulations Dr. Kim! I will always remember your class! It was very enlightening and instrumental in my growth process.
From 2018-19 Spring class: Parables of Jesus
"Thank you, Dr. Kim, for an exceptional class and empowering teaching. I am better at being in your class. My hope is to read your blog as often as I can and purchase as many of your books as possible because they’ve altered my spiritual journey substantially. God bless you, Dr. Kim. Thank you! Please have an amazing summer on purpose. Grace and Peace."
Regarding the course "Preaching the New Testament" (Spr 2018-19)
"Dr. Kim, this class has opened my eyes to look at the New Testament in a brand new way. I now see the interconnection of the Old and New Testaments. This was shown through one of the first lectures in the class where we talked about what was meant when Jesus said: "Repent for the Kingdom is at hand." This repentance was an old testament repentance practice where people had a change not just in their actions, but in their mindsets and ideologies as well. This was the biggest eye-opener for me and made me look at Jesus's ministry in a very different way. Thank you for this course and for what you did for me. I will not forget this."
From an alum of STVU:
I am a 2016 graduate of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. I have known Dr. Yung Suk Kim for four years and have interacted with him in his capacity as my Professor of the New Testament. During my course, I have come to know Dr. Kim very well and therefore can comment on his teaching.
Dr. Kim is a kind, caring, interesting, hard-working, creative, organized, and remarkable teacher. It was truly a pleasure being taught by him. For example, Dr. Kim's teachings on Jesus and the New Testament opened my theological understanding and provided me with the tools to read, question, interpret, and apply the text as a student, teacher, and preacher. Furthermore, his teachings provided me with a solid foundation to successfully complete the requirements of a yearlong ordination process in my denomination. As a result, I was ordained as a minister in the Baptist Church in April 2017.
An important aspect of Dr. Kim's interactions with students is his availability to answer questions; interest in students' work; and ability to provide just the right amount of structure yet allow the student some independence.
I personally have benefitted from taking a class from Dr. Kim, continuing to read his writings, and sincerely hope that his efforts as a teacher and advisor will be rewarded and recognized. I highly recommend and endorse Dr. Yung Suk Kim for recognition as the Scott and Lightfellow Outstanding Professor Award at Virginia Union University.
A WORD FROM A COLLEAGUE:
I enthusiastically recommend Dr. Yung Suk Kim for the Scott & Stringfellow Outstanding Professor Award at Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. I have known Dr. Kim for more than ten years. He is indeed an outstanding and prolific scholar in the field of biblical studies; his work is widely known and respected. In fact, my students thoroughly enjoy reading his book Biblical Interpretation, which I am currently using for my Texts and Contexts course and have used for a number of years. Dr. Kim’s book A Transformative Reading of the Bible has also been required reading in my courses with great success. He and I co-authored a seminal and well-received textbook entitled Toward Decentering the New Testament to introduce students to a different way of reading that privileges the scholarship, perspectives, and concerns of nonwhite communities, but which should be of value to any serious student of the New Testament. Recently, Dr. Kim consented to participate in a Zoom interview that I recorded for my current and former students. They loved his enthusiasm and his knowledge of the subject of interpretation and sacred texts and contexts.
Most of Dr. Kim’s publications show his passion for transformative knowledge and insights about the New Testament. For example, Christ's Body in Corinth (Fortress, 2008) is a very important distinctive work. In fact, I suggested he include a chapter summarizing his explication of Christ’s body in our co-authored Toward Decentering the New Testament textbook. Dr. Kim’s book Messiah in Weakness offers a powerful reading of Jesus as both weak and strong, as very human. His books have been favorably reviewed by his colleagues in the academy and are highly recommended. I am amazed by his zeal for quality scholarship and competent, transformative teaching. Dr. Kim continues to seek collaboration with other scholars in the field. Currently, he is the editor of the Journal of Bible and Human Transformation, which is paving a new path in biblical studies with its emphasis on the importance of human transformation in biblical studies.
I highly recommend Dr. Kim for the Scott & Stringfellow Outstanding Professor Award; he is truly an outstanding scholar, professor, colleague, and teacher.
A Word from a colleague:
I am delighted to write this recommendation letter in support of Dr. Yung Suk Kim as a candidate recipient of the Scott and Stringfellow Outstanding Professor Award for 2019.
I have known Dr. Kim as a faculty colleague since 2005. At that time, I was the chair of the search committee for a New Testament professor. When I received his application portfolio, he stood out among the other applicants. He displayed a very promising and transformative vision of teaching, writing, and research. I immediately saw the promise of a budding scholar, and since his hire, the School of Theology has been blessed with the gifts of his mind, person, and spirit. His unparalleled scholarship has helped to put Virginia Union University on par with other seminaries at large.
I have known Dr. Kim as a faculty colleague since 2005. At that time, I was the chair of the search committee for a New Testament professor. When I received his application portfolio, he stood out among the other applicants. He displayed a very promising and transformative vision of teaching, writing, and research. I immediately saw the promise of a budding scholar, and since his hire, the School of Theology has been blessed with the gifts of his mind, person, and spirit. His unparalleled scholarship has helped to put Virginia Union University on par with other seminaries at large.
Dr. Kim has taught at Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology for about 14 years. In the time that he has been here, he has been the most prolific faculty member in the School of Theology and usually with multiple publications in a year. A critical thinker with an active mind, Dr. Kim has published extensively in New Testament studies. To his credit, he is the author of over a dozen books, over a dozen book reviews, and a few co-edited or co-authored volumes. Dr. Kim has also published Kindle editions of some of his works. In addition, Dr. Kim has several published books in Korean, his native tongue. Some of his books have also been translated into Korean for a wider readership. Dr. Kim maintains an active website and a blog where he engages with other scholars on theological matters or debatable issues. He has also written for a lectionary series for churches. An active member of the academy, Dr. Kim regularly attends the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion Annual Conference where he presents papers or engages with both national and international theological faculty colleagues. Most recently, Dr. Kim appeared with a colleague on Facebook in a New Testament class session where he discussed his works, theology, and the New Testament, and also responded to other questions. I have read most of his works and I find him to be a deeply reflective thinker and an inquisitive writer with the ability to make the profound simple and yet comprehensible for all readers.
Among the many works that Dr. Kim has published, here is a sample of some of them:
Christ’s Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor (2008); A Theological Introduction to Paul’s Letters: Exploring a Threefold Theology of Paul (2011); A Transformative Reading of the Bible: Exploring Holistic Human Transformation (2013); Truth, Testimony, and Transformation: A New Reading of the “I Am” Sayings of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel (2013); Biblical Interpretation: Theory, Process, Criteria (2014); Resurrecting Jesus: The Renewal of New Testament Theology (2015); Messiah in Weakness: A Portrait of Jesus from the Perspective of the Dispossessed (2016); Toward Decentering the New Testament: A Reintroduction (with Mitzi J. Smith, 2018); Jesus’s Truth: Life in Parables (2018); and Preaching the New Testament Again: Faith, Freedom, and Transformation (2019). I believe Dr. Kim has other pending work.
Dr. Kim has also been the recipient of honors and grants. In 2012, he was honored alongside other university faculty members for his scholarly works by the emeritus president, Dr. Claude G. Perkins. He was a 2007-2008 Wabash College grant recipient to participate in the Wabash Workshop on Teaching and Learning for Pre-tenure Theological School Faculty. This grant resulted in the publication of his book, A Transformative Reading of the Bible. Dr. Kim also received an Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Lilly Theological Scholars Grant (2011-2012) for a research project that resulted in the publication of his Truth, Testimony, and Transformation. He has also been the editor of the online Journal of Bible and Human Transformation.
In addition to these activities, Dr. Kim also participates in all School of Theology and university functions and activities. He teaches a full-time load of classes and advises students regarding their matriculation and curriculum. In addition, Dr. Kim advises DMin students and reads the project documents of his advisees. As expected, he also sits on defense committees for several doctoral students each year. As a teacher and preacher, Dr. Kim brings lively passion to the classroom and the pulpit in a way that transforms students and parishioners alike. An engaging and inspiring teacher and team player, Dr. Kim is admired both by his students and faculty colleagues.
I am very delighted to recommend my colleague, Dr. Yung Suk Kim, as the recipient of this year’s Scott and Stringfellow Outstanding Professor Award. In my view, he is truly the most deserving candidate in the School of Theology. Thank you for your time and consideration of his portfolio and candidacy. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I am very delighted to recommend my colleague, Dr. Yung Suk Kim, as the recipient of this year’s Scott and Stringfellow Outstanding Professor Award. In my view, he is truly the most deserving candidate in the School of Theology. Thank you for your time and consideration of his portfolio and candidacy. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
From the 2016-17 Faculty Evaluation:
"Dr. Kim is an extremely able scholar who is respected by his guild, embraced by his peers, and affirmed by his students. He understands and embraces our mission and continues to invest in its fulfillment. He is an authentic colleague and merits our continued support." --Dean John Kinney, Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, 2017.
One international student from Zimbabwe, taking Intro to the New Testament, in spring of 2017
Seminaries are places of learning big things and one is challenged by the way he or she used to think to think critically. By the time of graduation, one becomes a totally different person. I served as a pastor for the past twenty-seven years but the one year I spent at this Seminary changed my life and ministry completely. Introduction to the New Testament Course changed my life and views of Jesus, Christianity, the four gospels, and the letters of Paul. I am going back to Zimbabwe a completely changed person who now understands things from academic and theological points of view. This paper is a presentation of what I learned from this course.
My first lecture made me think that I was at the wrong Seminary because of the way the course was introduced. The Bible was critiqued and questions like “which Jesus?” Was the death of Jesus necessary? Was Jesus a Christian? Was Paul a Christian? These and other questions troubled my heart and I was afraid of losing my faith. I was comforted when I learned that the Lecturer is a believer and wanted us to think theologically. The first lecture left me at a wait-and-see stage.
The following lectures were eye-openers and it became clear that I was a pastor for many years but was not telling people the truth. I was blind but now I see. I learned the truth in Doctor Kim`s class and he opened my mind. I thank God for him because he brought a transformation into my life. I learned that it is very important to know what each gospel writer is saying about Jesus- the lens the writer uses when presenting Jesus. I learned that the audience of the writer is very important to know because sometimes Jesus is presented in such a way that the audience relates to him in their situation.
In conclusion, I learned that Doctor Kim is a 21st Century theologian and is ranked among the best theologians according to my ranking. His books are unique and if one reads them, he or she will not remain the same. This course has opened my eyes; my way of thinking, reasoning, and theology has changed completely. My approach to the gospels, understanding of Jesus, Paul, and the way I used to judge other people and other religions has totally changed. The Course has brought salvation to me and not only to me but also to many Zimbabweans who will listen to my preaching and teaching.
One international student from Ghana, taking Intro to the New Testament course, in the spring of 2017
These are just but a few of the much deeper understandings that I have received from this great theologian. His books; Resurrecting Jesus, tagged [The Renewal of New Testament Theology], A Theological Introduction to Paul’s Letters; Truth, Testimony, and Transformation among many publications are indeed productions that took many years of deep research work to accomplish. These are decent materials that have enhanced my knowledge of the historical Jesus and Paul’s missionary activities, and I will not hesitate to recommend these insightful publications to all lovers of the good news of Christ. Finally, having recovered this insight I strongly believe that I can now demonstrate a solid knowledge with confidence in the New Testament due to the deeper insight that I have been imparted with, and very much optimistic that my ministry will never and ever be the same again.
I praise God for Dr. Yung Suk Kim, my lecturer, an astute theologian by all standards whom God used to re-direct my focus to the holistic nature of the kerygma and the transformation I have been imparted with, through his deep knowledge in the kerygma. I have been a pastor for years but find it difficult to behold the differences in the gospels. But through the lecturer, I now understand the importance of each of the gospel writers, and their worldview of presenting Jesus. Furthermore, each of the writers has their audience in mind and presents Jesus to them in their prevailing situations at the time.
One student from Jesus and Gospels course, Spr 2017:
From a student; the following message came into my email:My first class was "Intro to Biblical Studies." That particular class opened my mind and changed my approach to biblical learning.
The last class "Jesus and the Gospels" has been incredible! Your insight, knowledge, and communication were very helpful. I never imagined that there was so much information that I needed to know about Jesus. You really opened my mind to new, challenging, and helpful thoughts when approaching the Gospels.
I pray the very best for you, your family, and your future endeavors.
"Dr. Kim is an exemplary scholar who is committed to excellence in his scholarly productions and in his role as an educator" ---Dean Kinney (2016 review)
From a graduate (Sep. 2016)
From one of my former students: "I have ordered the book and look forward to reading it. Thanks for being obedient to God and writing it. Be blessed; you are an awesome professor."
From one of my former students who commented on LinkedIn about my book, Biblical Interpretation: Theory, Process, and Criteria (Pickwick, 2013): "I have not purchased this book but I know it will prove to be an invaluable asset to my library. I was blessed to have studied under Dr. Kim several years ago and his teachings in Biblical Studies and the New Testament continue to guide my sermon preparation and understanding of the sacred text. I highly recommend anything Dr. Kim authors because the reader will be rewarded as I have been. Congratulations Dr. Kim and continue to challenge us to learn and study."
BS500 (Intro to Bib. studies) 2015 Fall
BS500 (Intro to Bib. studies) 2015 Fall
and Various other courses
The class was both interesting and challenging. I especially enjoyed the discussion about the Canaanite woman and the question that Dr. Kim raised about whether Jesus was being rough on the woman. Previously that thought had crossed my mind but I dismissed it thinking Jesus would not be rough on a woman. However, the discussion placed Jesus in more of a human perspective, and Dr. Kim presented the idea in a non-threatening and comical way. Also, the thought of the woman changing Jesus, challenges my idea, that God never changes, that we do. It was good for me to look at this story in a context other than how it has typically been interpreted. The discussion expanded my horizon in understanding scripture.
The window illustration was insightful. It gave me something concrete and real that I could relate to regarding the lesson on interpretation. The illustration about that appeared to be an old woman but after careful observation, we notice different things. This helped me understand that in reading and interpreting the bible, we all bring our own perceptions to the text and will read and understand from our own personal lenses. I enjoyed meeting new people and trying to learn people’s names. My classmates are really friendly and helpful.
I love the energy of Dr. Kim, I can feel the passion that he has for teaching, which makes the class more interesting. The discussion about Paul’s allegedly, writing about women was enlightening. The discussion about the possible motives of the writers appears to have been to keep women in place and to benefit the writer. I could sense the relief of the women in the room, who have more than likely faced prejudice in the church at some point, either revolving around preaching or a role in leadership. Unfortunately often the resistance not only comes from men but often from the women in the church who are accustomed to men filling the roles of leadership in the church. Taking Paul off the hook regarding the sexist remarks about women is something we can all take back to our respective churches and attempt to teach others to be more tolerant of women in the ministry.
In the past, I have tried to justify some scriptures in the bible that did not reflect the character of God. Knowing that we don’t have to try to justify difficult scriptures will be helpful in my ministry. It is alright to say I don’t know or maybe this does not reconcile with the God of love that we know. Dr. Kim warned us that wrong interpretation is dangerous, which we see happening with extremists both here and abroad.
I now know that when answering questions in class I need to make a careful analysis before answering because Dr. Kim will question my answer and require me to go deeper and justify. He will make you think. Dr. Kim is very encouraging, advising us to be disciplined and stay on top of our reading. I noted that group discussion is a vital part of the class which is good because I learn better when I can talk through a concept. Also, I learned that I must be better organized with the quantity of material we are expected to absorb. Also, I learned that I have to listen more carefully, I almost missed an assignment if it had not been for my group. My group is very supportive and I am thankful for that. (BS500, 2015)
The NT class was very interesting and has me wanting to know about “historical education to the early Christian writings.” I also like the pleasantness of our professor, always smiling, as though he enjoys what he is doing.
I have found the material shared in this course to be extremely helpful. I am sure that as I go further in ministry, I will have ample opportunity to share that which has been discussed. The handouts, additional readings, and lectures were an excellent way to further expound upon the ideas that were shared in the text.
I am still continuing to digest the trilogy of genitives, understanding the righteousness of God, and knowing who is righteous. It is those who display the faithfulness of Christ. I am the body of Christ. My body is of Christ's physical life and death. I enjoyed this class because it prepared me to study and spend more time with God’s word. I am grateful for the passion that has been displayed during the class moment. I realize we are different people who come from different backgrounds and cultures. This journey has made me more knowledgeable of the story I will continue to tell like Paul. Thank you for sharing your gift of teaching and your passion for the word of God.
Dr. Kim, you have kindled in me a desire to study the New Testament on a higher and more intimate level. Though I may not be the best academic student in your class, I discovered a passion for the New Testament that I did not know existed. This passion was further fueled by your lecture on the Greek translations of various passages in the New Testament. I learned the only way to truly understand the meaning of the New Testament is to learn and study Greek and be able to read and translate it. By doing so, one would know the intent of its writers, and in conjunction with studying the life context of the scriptures, one is more able to preach God’s word with knowledge and insight. By taking the New Testament with you as the professor, I now have a desire to continue my education beyond the graduate level. I will say that I am disappointed to find that I am unable to gain my Master’s Degree in Divinity with a concentration in New Testament Studies at Virginia Union University. As a result, I anxiously wait for 2013 when I am eligible to pursue a doctorate degree in the New Testament. In the meantime, I will be enrolling in both Greek and Hebrew classes at another university so that I may continue learning those things you have taught me.
Dr. Kim, this class has truly stretched me and has amplified my desire to get deeper into the word. I extend my gratitude to you for your knowledge and commitment to stretching the minds of your students. I also thank you for your passion and your calling to teach.
Dr. Kim’s lectures were very informative and comprehensive. His class was very well organized. The use of commentaries to explain biblical text was very effective and helped me gain a better understanding of the New Testament. For instance, I now know that I should be mindful of possible factors that may have influenced biblical writings.
The window illustration was insightful. It gave me something concrete and real that I could relate to regarding the lesson on interpretation. The illustration about that appeared to be an old woman but after careful observation, we notice different things. This helped me understand that in reading and interpreting the bible, we all bring our own perceptions to the text and will read and understand from our own personal lenses. I enjoyed meeting new people and trying to learn people’s names. My classmates are really friendly and helpful.
I love the energy of Dr. Kim, I can feel the passion that he has for teaching, which makes the class more interesting. The discussion about Paul’s allegedly, writing about women was enlightening. The discussion about the possible motives of the writers appears to have been to keep women in place and to benefit the writer. I could sense the relief of the women in the room, who have more than likely faced prejudice in the church at some point, either revolving around preaching or a role in leadership. Unfortunately often the resistance not only comes from men but often from the women in the church who are accustomed to men filling the roles of leadership in the church. Taking Paul off the hook regarding the sexist remarks about women is something we can all take back to our respective churches and attempt to teach others to be more tolerant of women in the ministry.
In the past, I have tried to justify some scriptures in the bible that did not reflect the character of God. Knowing that we don’t have to try to justify difficult scriptures will be helpful in my ministry. It is alright to say I don’t know or maybe this does not reconcile with the God of love that we know. Dr. Kim warned us that wrong interpretation is dangerous, which we see happening with extremists both here and abroad.
I now know that when answering questions in class I need to make a careful analysis before answering because Dr. Kim will question my answer and require me to go deeper and justify. He will make you think. Dr. Kim is very encouraging, advising us to be disciplined and stay on top of our reading. I noted that group discussion is a vital part of the class which is good because I learn better when I can talk through a concept. Also, I learned that I must be better organized with the quantity of material we are expected to absorb. Also, I learned that I have to listen more carefully, I almost missed an assignment if it had not been for my group. My group is very supportive and I am thankful for that. (BS500, 2015)
The NT class was very interesting and has me wanting to know about “historical education to the early Christian writings.” I also like the pleasantness of our professor, always smiling, as though he enjoys what he is doing.
I have found the material shared in this course to be extremely helpful. I am sure that as I go further in ministry, I will have ample opportunity to share that which has been discussed. The handouts, additional readings, and lectures were an excellent way to further expound upon the ideas that were shared in the text.
I am still continuing to digest the trilogy of genitives, understanding the righteousness of God, and knowing who is righteous. It is those who display the faithfulness of Christ. I am the body of Christ. My body is of Christ's physical life and death. I enjoyed this class because it prepared me to study and spend more time with God’s word. I am grateful for the passion that has been displayed during the class moment. I realize we are different people who come from different backgrounds and cultures. This journey has made me more knowledgeable of the story I will continue to tell like Paul. Thank you for sharing your gift of teaching and your passion for the word of God.
Dr. Kim, you have kindled in me a desire to study the New Testament on a higher and more intimate level. Though I may not be the best academic student in your class, I discovered a passion for the New Testament that I did not know existed. This passion was further fueled by your lecture on the Greek translations of various passages in the New Testament. I learned the only way to truly understand the meaning of the New Testament is to learn and study Greek and be able to read and translate it. By doing so, one would know the intent of its writers, and in conjunction with studying the life context of the scriptures, one is more able to preach God’s word with knowledge and insight. By taking the New Testament with you as the professor, I now have a desire to continue my education beyond the graduate level. I will say that I am disappointed to find that I am unable to gain my Master’s Degree in Divinity with a concentration in New Testament Studies at Virginia Union University. As a result, I anxiously wait for 2013 when I am eligible to pursue a doctorate degree in the New Testament. In the meantime, I will be enrolling in both Greek and Hebrew classes at another university so that I may continue learning those things you have taught me.
Dr. Kim, this class has truly stretched me and has amplified my desire to get deeper into the word. I extend my gratitude to you for your knowledge and commitment to stretching the minds of your students. I also thank you for your passion and your calling to teach.
Dr. Kim’s lectures were very informative and comprehensive. His class was very well organized. The use of commentaries to explain biblical text was very effective and helped me gain a better understanding of the New Testament. For instance, I now know that I should be mindful of possible factors that may have influenced biblical writings.
2005
I won't forget the wonderful learning experience that I had in your Mathew class. You have tremendously impacted my life and enhanced, challenged, and changed some of my perspectives of Mathew through your acute discernment and knowledge that are theologically healthy and hermeneutically sound. I don't think you could have done much more to convey to me the intriguing insights that you shared in your lectures. (Fall/05)
This New Testament class allowed me to see into the lives, communities, and hearts of the ancient and present world through historical and comparative methods. I am able to appreciate the diversity of cultures from the first century to the present day and the struggles of the ancient and present world. I have the opportunity to “engage the text” by critically looking at the issues presented. (Spr/05-06, NT)
In conclusion, the materials I have learned and briefly elaborated on so far, I will be teaching and sharing with my community different methods of studying and looking at the text. It is important to view the various methods because it reveals new revelations of the historical/present Jesus of today. The different methods also bring to light the different similarities, differences, literary, and socio-historical aspects of the text that we may have never encountered. … Consequently, many of us have been taught by persons who did not have a firm grip and understanding of the gospels and understanding the mission, conversion, and spreading of the gospel, in which I played a significant role. We must also be able to understand the community, in which our synoptic writers have come from in order to understand why the text is written, the official language of the community, and the people they communicated to in their context. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
Professor Kim has taught New Testament in a simple way that has been broken down in ways that help me understand, relate, and teach others. The way the introduction was taught has helped me tremendously get the jump-start needed for understanding the scripture of the New Testament. … Following the heading of Hermeneutics, Professor Kim noted that “we are readers of the New Testament” in which three hermeneutical choices are emphasized: textual/analytical, contextual-relational, and theological/hermeneutical choices. … These choices were very critical to me at the beginning of the class because this terminology helped me understand the New Testament as it was taught. … As I conclude, I would like to thank Professor Kim for the wonderful job he has done in teaching this class. Professor Kim, you have broken down the New Testament chapters in ways and understanding for an individual like me to understand, so that I can go out and help others understand it in the same way in my ministry. I cannot stress enough how learning about the three components of hermeneutics, the three hermeneutical choices, and the three modes of human existence have helped me from the jump-start to learn how I could comprehend the New Testament. I believe by learning these three things at the very beginning was an added plus to my learning and ministry. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
Thanks for a great term full of challenging academics and invaluable diversity! You are truly a great scholar! God bless you and thank you for everything. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
My study of the New Testament in different methods has opened my mind to a completely new way of thinking. I can no longer just study for the sake of a daily devotional. I am attempting to apply what has been learned so that I can actually see what is behind the text. I am more concerned with the socio-historical method and looking for contextuality within the scripture. I leave this class more informed and wired for all that is to come. … I feel energized and empowered to share the information that I have received with others and the more I read and understand, the more in tune with the art of teaching I become. It is awesome to read a book and then be able to identify with certain aspects of the book because you find yourself in that current place that the book may be illustrating. I am learning how to really walk with God and search for God in the most unusual places. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
A lot of good information was taught throughout this class. It was not necessarily all from the textbooks or the lectures but it has been from the unique teaching experience of life that Dr. Kim provides. Even since my first day in Dr. Kim’s class, I felt it was challenging. … One of the first things I took from the class was a quote that said, “We are readers of the New Testament.” The way it was explained to me was beneficial to me because it is relevant to my learning. It was explained like this: the term “we are” which is the reader for life context/contextual choices would be relational as in the community, and the term “readers” which is the engagement and would be theological or hermeneutical choices, therefore are ruled by “others,” and the term “New Testament” is the text which would then be textual and analytical leaving thus to a sense of autonomy. Within the statement, we have three hermeneutical choices and three modes of human existence. Another thing I gained from our NT class is the three ways how to read the text. Those three ways are, behind the text, within the text, and in front of the text. This is all very helpful information for me as I move toward a more oral position in my ministry. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
I never thought about the theological/hermeneutical, contextual/relational, and textual/analytical dimensions of the scriptures. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
This class has provided a sense of direction and equilibrium for my current ministries at my church. NT501 has also provided a platform on which to stand not just on His word, but on the understanding of His word in my life context. … I began to gain a concrete perceptive of these texts in their historical settings and of their potential teachings in life contexts. I began to learn how to adopt a decisive and critical stance toward all interpretations. I realize that a word in the sacred text on its own can lose its true meaning. Therefore, I recognize some of the textual, theological, and contextual choices that each interpretation involves. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
I have also examined several scholarly interpretations of various books on the New Testament based on an analysis of the textual, theological, and contextual choices. … Thus, I have learned a new way of analyzing and interpreting the Bible and literature. These interpretations gave me different viewpoints and different biblical interpretations. Each and every passage of the Bible can be interpreted differently based on the life context of the reader and the author. My life context is that of an African American female who practices law, … I know that every witness’s story is colored by their own personal life experience. … The methodology of hermeneutics has taught me another skill/tool which brought clarity to my own life situation and the people I counsel and advocates on behalf. For example, when I handle a trial, I acknowledge the facts and the law and then I look deeper to see what there is that I don’t see that I can use. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
One area of study I immensely enjoyed was the focus on women in the Bible. Dr. Kim showed how women, as well as Judaism in the Bible, were taught. … The Global Bible Commentary was another excellent reference. The stories given by the author, Daniel Patte, and other biblical scholars were very relevant to today’s Bible students. … I have learned that as a woman, I read and interpret the Bible differently from men. This study has proven how women have been subordinate to men throughout the Bible and how we have been behind the text throughout history.
…
I have learned to read the text and myself and our world critically, honoring the reciprocity between text and experience. I will approach the text expectantly, sensitively, and communally, and will approach situations, interests, and needs with equal care. As I teach, I will not be alienated from the past nor fear the future. The class will look beyond the classroom walls. Nothing needs to be off-limits, no subject matter too foreign, too secular, too frightening, or profane to be included in the religious education curriculum. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
I enjoyed this course and it has helped me to become more open-minded. It is great to be in a class and have my ideas listened to and not dismissed based on a single view, but actually to have a chance to speak of my feelings and come up with a consensus through group discussion. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
At the beginning of your class, you pointed out that if we read and stuck with you we would be able to cross the red sea! Those were very powerful spiritual words that I shall never forget! I remember when the Lord removed Abraham from his hometown. Maybe this was the same case for you, and that is why you are here with us teaching his word. Things just don’t happen by accident.
…
I especially loved the lecture on John. This was my favorite and I thought this was one of your best ones. This lecture has helped me to apply and reveal to people wherever I go letting them know that the Johannine Gospel is all about truth. … I remember you kept on asking in class well “what is truth? “ … What you shared with the class led me to tell a testimony to four people. This is because you presented yourself so freely and openly. I could tell you were free because you sure did set me free!! (NT501, Spr/05-06)
This New Testament class allowed me to see into the lives, communities, and hearts of the ancient and present world through historical and comparative methods. I am able to appreciate the diversity of cultures from the first century to the present day and the struggles of the ancient and present world. I have the opportunity to “engage the text” by critically looking at the issues presented. (Spr/05-06, NT)
In conclusion, the materials I have learned and briefly elaborated on so far, I will be teaching and sharing with my community different methods of studying and looking at the text. It is important to view the various methods because it reveals new revelations of the historical/present Jesus of today. The different methods also bring to light the different similarities, differences, literary, and socio-historical aspects of the text that we may have never encountered. … Consequently, many of us have been taught by persons who did not have a firm grip and understanding of the gospels and understanding the mission, conversion, and spreading of the gospel, in which I played a significant role. We must also be able to understand the community, in which our synoptic writers have come from in order to understand why the text is written, the official language of the community, and the people they communicated to in their context. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
Professor Kim has taught New Testament in a simple way that has been broken down in ways that help me understand, relate, and teach others. The way the introduction was taught has helped me tremendously get the jump-start needed for understanding the scripture of the New Testament. … Following the heading of Hermeneutics, Professor Kim noted that “we are readers of the New Testament” in which three hermeneutical choices are emphasized: textual/analytical, contextual-relational, and theological/hermeneutical choices. … These choices were very critical to me at the beginning of the class because this terminology helped me understand the New Testament as it was taught. … As I conclude, I would like to thank Professor Kim for the wonderful job he has done in teaching this class. Professor Kim, you have broken down the New Testament chapters in ways and understanding for an individual like me to understand, so that I can go out and help others understand it in the same way in my ministry. I cannot stress enough how learning about the three components of hermeneutics, the three hermeneutical choices, and the three modes of human existence have helped me from the jump-start to learn how I could comprehend the New Testament. I believe by learning these three things at the very beginning was an added plus to my learning and ministry. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
Thanks for a great term full of challenging academics and invaluable diversity! You are truly a great scholar! God bless you and thank you for everything. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
My study of the New Testament in different methods has opened my mind to a completely new way of thinking. I can no longer just study for the sake of a daily devotional. I am attempting to apply what has been learned so that I can actually see what is behind the text. I am more concerned with the socio-historical method and looking for contextuality within the scripture. I leave this class more informed and wired for all that is to come. … I feel energized and empowered to share the information that I have received with others and the more I read and understand, the more in tune with the art of teaching I become. It is awesome to read a book and then be able to identify with certain aspects of the book because you find yourself in that current place that the book may be illustrating. I am learning how to really walk with God and search for God in the most unusual places. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
A lot of good information was taught throughout this class. It was not necessarily all from the textbooks or the lectures but it has been from the unique teaching experience of life that Dr. Kim provides. Even since my first day in Dr. Kim’s class, I felt it was challenging. … One of the first things I took from the class was a quote that said, “We are readers of the New Testament.” The way it was explained to me was beneficial to me because it is relevant to my learning. It was explained like this: the term “we are” which is the reader for life context/contextual choices would be relational as in the community, and the term “readers” which is the engagement and would be theological or hermeneutical choices, therefore are ruled by “others,” and the term “New Testament” is the text which would then be textual and analytical leaving thus to a sense of autonomy. Within the statement, we have three hermeneutical choices and three modes of human existence. Another thing I gained from our NT class is the three ways how to read the text. Those three ways are, behind the text, within the text, and in front of the text. This is all very helpful information for me as I move toward a more oral position in my ministry. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
I never thought about the theological/hermeneutical, contextual/relational, and textual/analytical dimensions of the scriptures. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
This class has provided a sense of direction and equilibrium for my current ministries at my church. NT501 has also provided a platform on which to stand not just on His word, but on the understanding of His word in my life context. … I began to gain a concrete perceptive of these texts in their historical settings and of their potential teachings in life contexts. I began to learn how to adopt a decisive and critical stance toward all interpretations. I realize that a word in the sacred text on its own can lose its true meaning. Therefore, I recognize some of the textual, theological, and contextual choices that each interpretation involves. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
I have also examined several scholarly interpretations of various books on the New Testament based on an analysis of the textual, theological, and contextual choices. … Thus, I have learned a new way of analyzing and interpreting the Bible and literature. These interpretations gave me different viewpoints and different biblical interpretations. Each and every passage of the Bible can be interpreted differently based on the life context of the reader and the author. My life context is that of an African American female who practices law, … I know that every witness’s story is colored by their own personal life experience. … The methodology of hermeneutics has taught me another skill/tool which brought clarity to my own life situation and the people I counsel and advocates on behalf. For example, when I handle a trial, I acknowledge the facts and the law and then I look deeper to see what there is that I don’t see that I can use. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
One area of study I immensely enjoyed was the focus on women in the Bible. Dr. Kim showed how women, as well as Judaism in the Bible, were taught. … The Global Bible Commentary was another excellent reference. The stories given by the author, Daniel Patte, and other biblical scholars were very relevant to today’s Bible students. … I have learned that as a woman, I read and interpret the Bible differently from men. This study has proven how women have been subordinate to men throughout the Bible and how we have been behind the text throughout history.
…
I have learned to read the text and myself and our world critically, honoring the reciprocity between text and experience. I will approach the text expectantly, sensitively, and communally, and will approach situations, interests, and needs with equal care. As I teach, I will not be alienated from the past nor fear the future. The class will look beyond the classroom walls. Nothing needs to be off-limits, no subject matter too foreign, too secular, too frightening, or profane to be included in the religious education curriculum. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
I enjoyed this course and it has helped me to become more open-minded. It is great to be in a class and have my ideas listened to and not dismissed based on a single view, but actually to have a chance to speak of my feelings and come up with a consensus through group discussion. (NT501, Spr/05-06)
At the beginning of your class, you pointed out that if we read and stuck with you we would be able to cross the red sea! Those were very powerful spiritual words that I shall never forget! I remember when the Lord removed Abraham from his hometown. Maybe this was the same case for you, and that is why you are here with us teaching his word. Things just don’t happen by accident.
…
I especially loved the lecture on John. This was my favorite and I thought this was one of your best ones. This lecture has helped me to apply and reveal to people wherever I go letting them know that the Johannine Gospel is all about truth. … I remember you kept on asking in class well “what is truth? “ … What you shared with the class led me to tell a testimony to four people. This is because you presented yourself so freely and openly. I could tell you were free because you sure did set me free!! (NT501, Spr/05-06)
