Compliment

The compliment from a trusted colleague is not a hollow word: "You are a seasoned, gifted, proven, and creative scholar." This word means a lot to me. I am who I am. I realize what I am. 

Valid biblical interpretation

Valid biblical interpretation must address current issues and inspire present living. Biblical theology or interpretation should not merely dwell on the past or future but on today's world. We seek freedom and justice in the present. I argue that "today" is the lens through which we look back to the past and look forward to the future. We always see things from the perspective of today. Time is indivisible. There is no separate past, present, or future.

All this means meaning is not fixed once and for all. Meaning is the result of ongoing interpretation in changing contexts. Biblical texts need critical, contextual interpretation from today's perspective. 

 

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Wall Street Times article

The Scholarly Journey of Dr. Yung Suk Kim: Bridging Worlds Through Biblical Scholarship

In the realm of biblical scholarship and New Testament studies, few names resonate as profoundly as that of Dr. Yung Suk Kim, a distinguished professor at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. With an academic journey marked by transformative teaching, indomitable scholarship, and effective public service, Dr. Kim’s contributions have not only enriched the field but have also paved the way for a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of early Christianity.

Dr. Kim’s scholarly voyage began with his B.A. from Kyungpook National University, followed by an M.Div. from McCormick Theological Seminary, culminating in a Ph.D. in New Testament study from Vanderbilt University. His educational path was not just about accruing academic credentials but about forming a foundation for his life’s work—creating bridges between diverse cultures and fostering an understanding of the human condition through biblical narratives. The beginning of Dr. Kim’s journey was marked by an unconventional foray into the secular world, where he dedicated a decade of his career to LG, navigating through diverse cultural landscapes in Seoul, Panama, and Miami. This experience not only enriched Dr. Kim with a profound understanding of diversity but also underscored the vital importance of solidarity, principles that would later inform his academic pursuits. Continue to read

About Feelings

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

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Easter

Happy Easter! 

Easter is good because hope is the fruit we can taste amidst chaos and nonsense. Walk the newness of life and shine the light to all.

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The Meaning of the Cross?

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I think the meaning of the cross lies in Jesus's love and grace; he risked his life to preach the gospel of love and justice. We repent in response to his love and sacrifice. We die because he died. We rise because he rose. We are reconciled to God through his grace---not through his death. Otherwise, we must pinpoint all forms of evil done to Jesus.

The Passion of the Christ reflects Mel Gibson’s Jesus, who comes to die and is punished instead of “me.” This movie begins with a quote from Isaiah’s Suffering Servant Song: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises, we are healed” (Isa 53:5). In fact, within the literary context of Isaiah, the figure of the suffering servant does not refer to an individual but to Israel. Taking the theme of the suffering servant and applying it to Jesus, Gibson colors his Jesus as a substitutionary death. This movie is full of unnecessary, exaggerated torture with little information about the cause of Jesus’ death. Why is there so much violence to Jesus? Who brought Jesus to death? I just felt throughout the movie that there should not be another Jesus who receives enormous torture and injustice.

In our world today too, there are many unjust sufferings. Jesus is a prototype of the most vicious and unjust suffering and death. This way of reading Jesus’ death is certainly plausible and one important avenue through which we may look at the history and meaning of the event.

The cause of Jesus’ death can be constructed in many different ways. In Luke, Jesus’ work as a prophet provokes enemies' anger. Jesus dies as a martyr, not as salvific atonement or substitutionary death; his radical message of justice and egalitarianism led to the cross. In Matthew and Mark, Jesus’ death, somewhat difficult for Jesus himself, is pictured as a good sacrifice for “others.” Here caution is that the sacrifice of Jesus does not automatically mean penal substitutionary death of Jesus. On one hand, the meaning of Jesus’ death can be constructed in the context of different communities behind the gospels. On the other hand, apart from the later communities' meaning of Jesus' death, the cause of Jesus' death can be constructed in a more historical sense, which means analyzing all aspects of life in the world ranging from politics to economy to religion.

As for me, the biggest problem of Gibson’s movie seems to condone the social and political evil of violence and injustice and be blind to the massive power of evil evident in such atrocious, unspeakable torturing and murdering under the cover of a divine plan. The cost of this movie is too high in ways that people do not reflect on such a power of evil – in the form of violence, politics, and the daily lives of ordinary people. The movie’s impression was that “the more violence on Jesus, the holier Jesus is, and the more thankful Christians feel because our sins are paid back.” But again, in another context that I mentioned before, my take on the movie is this: “There should not be another Jesus of unjust suffering and death in this world.” 

This movie should not be considered as a historical film in terms of actual events, but rather as a theological narrative. It was directed and interpreted by Gibson, who adheres to a particular understanding of the significance of Jesus' death. Therefore, if someone views this movie as a historical account, they must differentiate between history and theology.

Lastly, even this theological story, with the vicious or violent role of some Jews and the Romans, should not be related to all Jews in history. Of course, there were not all Jews involved in accusations against Jesus. There were good and faithful people like Mary, Jesus’ mother, Mary Magdalene, disciples, and many nameless women who followed Jesus. Also, we cannot simply equate Jewish ancestors with Jewish people today and in history.

Conclusion

I think the meaning of the cross lies in Jesus's love and grace; he risked his life to preach the gospel of love and justice. We repent because of his love and sacrifice. We die because he died. We rise because he rose. We are reconciled to God through his grace---not through his death. Otherwise, we must pinpoint all forms of evil done to Jesus.

The real certificate arrived

 Thanks to all my supporters. The real one arrived: The President's Lifetime Achievement Award 2024.

A new book is conceived

I feel great because I finally completed the tangible framework for the book proposal I started months ago. I decided not to rush myself. My only goal is quality and appeal to the readers for so long. This book is about mental health from cognitive science and interdisciplinary theological perspectives.

Naming stereotypes

It is essential to recognize that unfair assumptions about individuals based on their gender, sex, age, or race can have a significant impact on their self-esteem and confidence. These biases affect how we perceive ourselves and how we see others, leading to unfavorable outcomes. We must identify and confront these stereotypes to create a more inclusive and equitable society, educating ourselves and others and remaining vigilant about these stereotypes.

Unity or Union?

Unity is the language of an empire. I provoked many evangelicals when this book came out in 2008 because I said Paul's body metaphor is not about unity.

In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul uses a body metaphor to talk about our union with Christ and solidarity with fellow members in a beloved community. The metaphor is not about unity or concord (homonoia) borrowed from Stoicism but about creating a diverse and united community through a sense of union anchored to Christ's way of life. In other words, the gist of the body metaphor is about diversity and solidarity rather than unity, which is the language of an empire. "The body of Christ" can also be translated as "the Christic body," which refers to Christlike living and community. This understanding of the body of Christ results from an attributive genitive interpretation.

*See books I wrote about the above point of the body of Christ:

• Christ's Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor
• A Theological Introduction to Paul's Letters: Exploring a Threefold Theology of Paul
• How to Read Paul: A Brief Introduction to His Theology, Writings, and World
• Reimagining the Body of Christ