two types of oppressors

There are two types of oppressors: those who are perennial oppressors and the liberated individuals who have become oppressors themselves. The first group is easily identified and warned against. However, the latter can be harder to recognize because they often claim to advocate for liberation. In some ways, the true enemy lies within the community, as these individuals adopt oppressive ideologies and policies instead of promoting transparent, democratic ideals or the agency of individuals.

Sunday October 13, 2024 | Sunday Worship | Community Baptist Church of GM

I had the pleasure and honor of preaching at the Community Baptist Church of Greater Milwaukee. My dear friend and colleague, Rev. Dr. Demetrius Williams invited me to share my thoughts with the congregation. The sermon title: "Moses's Burning Bush Experience: Holy Ground, Self-Identity, and Community" (Exod 3:1-12)

At the ABC of Wisconsin's annual conference in 2024

At the ABC of Wisconsin's annual conference in 2024, I led an in-depth, three-hour clergy workshop exploring the relationships between race/ethnicity, the Gospels, and Jesus. Workshop material PDF

 

"At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics"

A new book on hermeneutics and homiletics—an edited volume showing collaborative work with seasoned scholars from biblical studies, homiletics, and practical theology—will be seen in the market next summer or fall 2025 since my editing is 99% done and the manuscript files will be sent to the publisher in a few days. So, I am thrilled to expect this milestone book to come up soon. See the table of contents (PDF). 

Several contributors expressed their appreciation to me:

"Splendiferous work! Congratulations to all authors and to our most esteemed editor! A magnificent contribution all around. Thanks, Yung Suk for your diligence, keen editorial eye, and compassionate zeal for a most creative, timely project! Well done!"

"Congratulations and heartfelt thanks, Yung Suk, for your extraordinary work on this volume. It is an honor to be included among such remarkable colleagues."

"Thanks for your creative vision and hard work. I am looking forward to reading and sharing this work far and wide." 

Faith vs. facts

Faith or belief is not the same as facts.
Faith cannot create facts.

Faith is a response to things around us.

A mere belief or faith cannot save a person unless it is engaged and lived out holistically and critically.

Faith is never a singular action.
Faith is never blind obedience.
Faith involves a critical understanding of God, the world, self, and others.

I reject all forms of simplifications of faith.
Faith must bring hope to our lives and world, including other people. 

Faith also must bring love to our lives and world, including others.

"The Call Story of Peter in Luke 5:1-11"

I am excited that my article, "The Call Story of Peter in Luke 5:1-11: New Vocation through Transformation," was published just now.  

Article

Issue

Critical Transparent Scholarship

Critical and transparent scholarship posits that anything, whether it be ideology, institutions, states, or religions, is open to critique. A critical evaluation of Christianity or Judaism does not necessarily make one anti-Christianity or anti-Judaism. Similarly, any religion or human construct is open to criticism. Critical and transparent scholars must acknowledge their limitations and be open to new ideas or criticisms. If they are not, they are essentially "imperial" scholars in a different form.  

Colorblind society?

Some argue that we should strive for a colorblind society where race does not matter. Others believe that race does matter and that achieving a colorblind society is an illusion. A colorblind society may be possible in heaven, but here on earth, we inevitably live with certain traits, whether racial, physical, ethnic, or of any other sort. This implies that biases against others will persist, and this unfortunate and persistent reality in the world is not disappearing. Therefore, we must remain vigilant about all these detrimental effects on others. On a positive note, race matters because it contributes to the diversity and richness of society.

Featured in the Unionite

I am honored to be featured in the Unionite Spring/Summer 2024. Online

Today's world, not for tomorrow's world

I teach students for today's world, not for tomorrow's world. It is my philosophy. Tomorrow will be hollow without today. For some, it can be hellish or a hallucination. People live today and must feel happy today. Dreaming of a better future is good, but that should not prevent us from living fully today. 

People must tackle issues in the present. They must be leaders for today's world.