METANOIA

POEM: Metanoia

https://drkimys.blogspot.com/p/roots-and-starlight-poetry-book.html
#poem #metanoia #yungsukkim #spirituality

Birds are free!

Through my window, I noticed a flock of small birds foraging on the snow-covered, frozen yard and streets. They were busy finding food or perhaps enjoying the cold white snow; I wasn't sure which. I felt a wave of empathy. They came as guests, or a reminder that I shouldn't get stuck in my place. There is freedom out there. It seemed to tell me to go out and enjoy myself. But I couldn't, because it was a frozen world. There wasn't much I could do right now. Still, I would remember the lesson from the birds: that I can find freedom everywhere. Moments later, they all flew away together from me. They soared through the air and the cold wind. They were gone. I hoped they would continue to enjoy their lives. They are free.

Eclectic Wisdom

 

Dao De Jing

In my view, the centerpiece of Dao De Jing is "Knowing oneself is enlightenment; seeing small is enlightenment." (Yung Suk Kim)

Humility

"Knowing not to know is the best. While not knowing, pretending to know is a disease." 

From Dao De Jing. Translated and written by Yung Suk Kim.

Vapor, Dust, and Emptiness

On challenging days, I compose letters and formulate ideas. My leisure activity involves practicing calligraphy. These writings incorporate elements from Dao De Jing, Hebrew, Greek, and Korean terminology. Essential principles we must acknowledge include vapor, dust, and emptiness.

 

Unity or Union?

"Unity or Union? Deconstructing the Soma Christou in Paul's Corinthian Correspondence" 

Abstract
This essay challenges the traditional interpretation of Paul’s soma Christou (Body of Christ) in 1 Corinthians as a metaphorical organism focused on hierarchical unity (homonoia). Utilizing Derrida’s deconstruction and a hermeneutics of suspicion, it argues that such readings often mask power dynamics and enforce conformity. Instead, the essay proposes reading the "body of Christ" as a "Christic body"—an ethical mandate for union with Christ rooted in kollao (1 Cor 6:17). This reinterpretation shifts the focus from institutional cohesion to a transformative, ethical solidarity that embraces diversity and justice within the community.

This essay will be published in the future issue of Currents in Theology and Mission.

Mindfulness poem on "Healing"

Source

signature scholarship: Dr. Yung Suk Kim's 10 Key Arguments

  

Jesus's Death in Mark's Gospel: Was It Necessary or Required?

"Jesus's Death in Mark's Gospel: Was It Necessary or Required?"

Yung Suk Kim

The question of whether Jesus's death was necessary or required according to the Gospel of Mark is complex, inviting a nuanced "yes and no" response rather than a simple affirmative.

One could argue "no" if Jesus's message of the Kingdom of God had been universally embraced by both the authorities and the populace. In such an idealized scenario, he would likely have been welcomed rather than condemned, and his execution would have been averted. From this perspective, his death was not inherently "required," as suffering and tragedy are not intrinsically desirable or part of God's initial benevolent design.

However, the historical reality diverged significantly from this ideal. Mark's Gospel vividly portrays Jesus's personal struggle in the Gethsemane prayer (Mark 14:32-42). His petition, "Remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will," demonstrates his profound anguish and human desire to avoid the impending suffering. This prayer highlights that his death was not something he sought or readily accepted, affirming it was "difficult to go through."

Yet, his ultimate submission, "nevertheless not what I will, but what you will," reveals his unwavering commitment to his divine mission—the proclamation of the good news of God's Kingdom. Given the prevailing rejection of his message by the powers and his steadfast dedication to God's will, his death, while undesirable, became an unavoidable consequence of fulfilling that mission. In this sense, "yes," his death was necessary not as an intrinsic good, but as an inevitable outcome of his faithfulness in a hostile world.