Not Vanity

Source: Roots and Starlight (poetry collection) by Yung Suk Kim

Audiobooks

Technology helps us. Now, my self-published books on Amazon are available with computer-generated audio. This is good news for those who have difficulty reading. You can listen to a sample of the voice on the site. For example, go to Amazon for my book, Jesus as the Locus of Reconciliation. with audio.

You can see all my audiobooks here on https://www.audible.com. They are also available on Amazon.

HEBEL

 Source: Mindful Journey and Reflections

Mindful Journey

A sample chapter on Genesis 19

I’ve kicked off writing a sample chapter for my new book project titled: The Fourth Horizon: Hermeneutics, Homiletics, and the Mental World. This chapter tackles Genesis 19, the famous yet controversial story of Lot. I will de(re)construct the narrative with a focus on the embodied, critical mind perspective. I hope this chapter will serve as a guide for the rest of the book.

 

Concepts and content

"Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind." (Kant, Critique of Pure Reason)
*Content: sensory experience; Concepts: conceptual framework

Four Pillars for Becoming a Successful, Prolific Writer (YouTube video)

 PDF (PowerPoint)

Four Pillars to Becoming a Prolific, Successful Writer

There are four pillars to becoming a prolific, successful writer:

• Distinct Ideas: With millions of books in existence, you must define what makes your book necessary. Originality isn't magic; it comes from cultivating experiences, traveling, reading, and engaging with others. To catch these ideas, you must write every day.
• Mastery of Time: Great ideas need room to breathe. You must carve out quality time for deep work, but also master the art of the "in-between" moments. Whether walking, resting, or sitting on a bench, use every spare five minutes effectively.
• Holistic Health: Writing is a physical activity as much as a mental one. A strong body supports a strong mind. You need physical vitality to maintain the mental endurance required for a long writing career.
• Personal Rhythm: You must discover a workflow that fits you. While you can borrow techniques from other writers, you must eventually build your own custom system of efficiency, rhythm, and speed.

To become a prolific and successful author, four essential conditions must be met.

First, one needs a viable and unique concept. In a world saturated with books, an author must answer the critical questions: "Why does this book need to exist?" and "Who will read this?" Distinct ideas are rarely just innate; rather, they are cultivated through life experiences, brainstorming, travel, reading, and conversation. Capturing these ideas requires the discipline of writing daily.

Second, writing demands dedicated time. Profound ideas cannot take root without nourishment. An author must secure quality time for deep focus but also learn to utilize "fragmentary time" wisely—seizing five minutes on a bench, during a walk, or before sleep to advance their thinking.

Third, one must maintain physical and mental stamina. Writing is an act of endurance. Because the mind and body are inextricably linked, physical strength fuels mental clarity and creative energy. A healthy body enables sustainable writing.

Finally, an author must develop a personalized methodology. While one can learn tips from others, true efficiency comes from discovering one's own rhythm, speed, and workflow. Ultimately, success relies on finding a unique style and tempo tailored to the individual.

 PDF (PowerPoint)

CAN DO

I have published about 20 books so far (excluding four edited volumes) and expect to publish 10 more, bringing my total to roughly 30 books by retirement. 

Today, I ran the projections, and I know it’s possible. I mention this not to boast, but to instill a "can-do" spirit in myself and to ground my belief in reality. There is a difference between subjective confidence ("I believe I can" or "I can do it") and objective confidence ("The evidence shows it is possible" or "It can happen"). 

My projection is based on reality, consistent effort, and clear direction. I am committed to making this happen.

What is Yung Suk Kim's view of Jesus?

From Google Gemini Pro 3:

Dr. Yung Suk Kim’s view of Jesus is distinct from traditional dogmatic Christology (which focuses heavily on Jesus’s divinity and nature). Instead, Kim focuses on Jesus as the model of faithfulness, a victim of imperial violence, and the locus of radical solidarity.

His Christology is deeply rooted in his broader themes of body theology (somatology) and post-colonial criticism. Here are the core aspects of his view of Jesus:

1. Jesus as the Exemplar of Faith (Pistis Christou)

Central to Kim's theology is the translation of pistis Christou as the "faithfulness of Christ," not "faith in Christ."

The Active Agent: Kim views Jesus not merely as the object of Christian worship, but as the supreme subject of faithfulness.

The Model: Jesus is the human who perfectly modeled trust and obedience to God, even in the face of death.

The Implication: Salvation is not found by intellectually assenting that "Jesus is God," but by participating in the same faithfulness that Jesus exhibited. Jesus is the pioneer who shows humanity how to live in right relationship with God.

2. The Political Jesus (Anti-Imperial Lord)

Kim views Jesus in direct contrast to the Roman Emperor.

Rival Lords: In the first century, Caesar was called "Lord," "Son of God," and "Savior" who brought "Peace." Kim argues that Jesus is presented as the alternative to these titles.

Non-Violent Resistance: Whereas Caesar brought peace through victory (violence), Jesus brought peace through justice and non-violent sacrifice.

The Cross as State Violence: Kim emphasizes that Jesus was executed as a political rebel by the state. Therefore, following Jesus means standing against systems of oppression and state violence.

3. The "Crucified Body" as Solidarity

In his book Christ's Body in Corinth, Kim explores the metaphor of the body deeply.

Identification with the Weak: Kim argues that Jesus chose to identify with the marginalized, the poor, and the outcast.

The Cross: The cross is not just a theological mechanism for forgiveness; it is a symbol of God’s solidarity with human suffering.

Current Reality: For Kim, Jesus continues to exist in the world through the "Body of Christ"—which acts as a community of solidarity. To be "in Christ" is to stand where Jesus stood: with the weak.

4. The Johannine Jesus: Agent of Transformation

In his work on the Gospel of John (Truth, Testimony, and Transformation), Kim presents a nuanced view of the Johannine Jesus.

Transformation: He views Jesus in John’s Gospel not just as the "Logos" (Word), but as an agent of transformation (e.g., turning water to wine, transforming Nicodemus, transforming the Samaritan woman).

Friendship: Kim highlights the Johannine theme of Jesus calling his disciples "friends" rather than servants. This points to a Jesus who dismantles hierarchy and establishes a community of equals.

5. Jesus vs. The Temple System

Kim often portrays Jesus as one who challenged the religious status quo, specifically the Temple system, which, in Kim's view, had become a center of economic exploitation and exclusion. Jesus represented a "brokerless" kingdom where people could access God directly without the mediation of a corrupt religious hierarchy.

Summary

For Yung Suk Kim, Jesus is the faithful human who demonstrated radical obedience to God and solidarity with the marginalized, challenging the powers of Empire and religious hierarchy through non-violence and love. He is less concerned with the metaphysical substance of Jesus (i.e., how Jesus is both God and man) and more concerned with the ethical and political reality of Jesus’s life and death.

DISCLAIMER: The above is AI's view. Otherwise, check out Dr. Yung Suk Kim's books to find more about his view. Especially, books like Resurrecting Jesus, Messiah in Weakness, and Truth, Testimony, and Transformation.