"Racial Identity Hermeneutics"

Excerpts from the chapter "Racial Identity Hermeneutics": 

Considering early Christianity’s embrace of diversity, the ideology of one Christian race or a white-driven melting pot theory is an illusion and must melt away. Often the ideal of oneness or unity is quixotic and hides the face of hegemonic control in which some people or groups are prioritized over against others. In the end, racial identity hermeneutics aims at dismantling the hegemonic ideology of oneness/unity and fosters a culture of care, diversity, and solidarity. What follows is in this order: “Racial/Ethnic Identity from Biblical Texts” and “Interpreting Biblical Texts through the Lens of Racial/Ethnic Identity.” In the former, we will see both the importance and entanglement of race/ethnicity from biblical texts. In the latter, we will explore cases of racial identity hermeneutics with select texts from both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament (366).

*Yung Suk Kim, "Racial Identity Hermeneutics," in Postconservative Theological Interpretation, edited by Ronald T. Michener and Mark A. Lamport, 365-380 (Cascade, 2024).

2024 Korea Visit Lecture Events

December 2, 2024 

I will present a lecture titled "Biblical Hermeneutics and Lens: Examining Lenses and Exploring Human Transformation." This lecture, sponsored by the Institute of Bible and Preaching (IBP) and Healing & Counseling Institute, will occur at Hanshin Presbyterian Church in Seochogu, Seoul, Korea.

 

  
December 3, 2024 

I will present a lecture titled "The Samaritan as a Paragon of Self-Love (Luke 10:25-37): Exploring True Self-Love and Its Implications for Mental Well-Being" at the Graduate School of Theology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

December 4, 2024 

I will speak in the class at Ewha Womans University. I will address Paul's ecclesiology, theology, and women's issues.

December 12, 2024 

I will also present the same topic of biblical hermeneutics and lens to local pastors in Jeonju, Korea.

WRITE AND WALK

When severe anxiety engulfs you, wait, write, and walk. 

In other words, stop ruminating, write on blank paper things you worry about, their causes, what you can control versus what you cannot, etc. Then, go for a walk with open minds. Repeat this process until you have a calm mind.

"The Danger of a Singular Order"

I will present a small talk for a faculty panel at our 2024 Ellison-Jones conference. I came up with this title: 

"The Danger of a Singular Order: Joshua’s Conquest Narrative of Canaan, Jesus’s Dealing with a Canaanite Woman, and Christian Nationalists’ Reading of the Bible." 

I expanded the above talk material and turned it into a journal essay. I hope it will be out of my favorite outlet journal soon. If you mention this title, please cite it: Yung Suk Kim, "The Danger of a Singular Order: Joshua’s Conquest Narrative of Canaan, Jesus’s Dealing with a Canaanite Woman, and Christian Nationalists’ Reading of the Bible" (working article). 

Photo courtesy of 정경심 2024

Contextual Critical Commentary (2 Corinthians)

The revised manuscript has been formally submitted to the series editor, and assuming a smooth process, publication of this concise commentary is anticipated in 2025.

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.