Words of Wisdom for New Students

What does it mean to be in a graduate school of theology?

Seminary or graduate theological education is not an easy journey. It’s not merely a place to strengthen one’s faith; rather, it is a space for critical, faithful examination of everything. Often, the challenge lies in knowing too much.

Nothing should be taken for granted. Graduate school offers a rare and invaluable environment where students can engage deeply with texts, other readers, and the world. It is a safe space to ask questions they may hesitate to voice elsewhere. As Paul reminds us, “Test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thess 5:21). Students are not invited to believe simply based on reputation—they are encouraged to test everything and discern what is true. Ultimately, after testing, they are called to bear witness fearlessly, clinging to what is good.

Through critical theological education, students will learn to see the world and themselves with clearer lenses, often viewing them differently than before. To achieve this, they must unlearn some of what they previously believed and embrace new challenges and insights. I encourage them: Be open-minded toward different methods of reading Scripture. Engage with the Spirit of truth unapologetically. Use your imagination to see beyond the familiar.

Let me reiterate this core point: graduate theological education is not primarily about renewing faith but about recreating and reinventing the self through awakening, critical reflection, and integration. Spiritual rebirth is ongoing; it does not conclude once and for all (John 3).

I constantly reflect on my own purpose in theological education: Who am I? What am I doing? The fundamental truth is this—I am here because of my students. I am imperfect, but my passion for teaching and their success remains unwavering. I care deeply about their learning, unlearning, and growth. Critical study has the power to reshape their understanding of Scripture, society, the church, and humanity. I will do everything possible to support their flourishing—teaching what they need and learning from them along the way.

Trust God.
Trust yourself.
Trust your instructor.
Trust your peers.
Trust the process.
We are in this together.

When despair looms and hope feels distant, trust God. When you hit rock bottom, remember—this is not the end. Don’t beat yourself up. Look upward toward heaven. Know that you are precious because of the God you trust. Trust yourself. When you honor your instructor, you may learn more than you expected. When engaging in group discussions, treat your peers as learning partners. When challenges arise, persevere through the ups and downs. Ask for help. There’s always a way to overcome and excel. Trust the process. We are all in this journey together.


Think critically. Ask as many questions as possible. Express yourself clearly. Test everything—including yourself. Walk humbly with God.

Below is a summary of my main points:

1. Trust God
God is greater than you. Do not try to resolve everything on your own.
God is the ultimate source of hope and life. In good times and bad, trust in God.
Trusting God means perseverance—walking your faith patiently.


2. Confidence in Yourself
You are a gift from God. You are unique and precious.
Recognize your potential and live it out through your studies.
Do not compare yourself to others; your worth is not diminished or increased by comparison.


3. Be Open-Minded Toward Others
Open your mind and heart, and engage freely with others.
Learning flourishes when your mind is open.
Your peers are not competitors but partners in learning.


4. Ask Critical and Self-Critical Questions
Asking questions is critical in graduate school—about God, Jesus, the Bible, and yourself.
There are no limits to your quest for understanding.
Remember: *Test everything and hold fast to what is good and acceptable* (1 Thess 5:21).

A new commentary on Galatians

Presskit



Buy at Amazon

"Galatians has often been read from a rhetorical perspective with an emphasis on an individual justification by faith from a forensic perspective, Paul’s autobiographical experience, proofs of the gospel, and exhortations to the Galatians. However, it can be read as a “letter” in which the main theme is the gospel or good news—an umbrella term that covers all other topics such as faith, righteousness, freedom, and new creation. Paul writes Galatians not to argue for an individual justification by faith from a forensic salvation perspective, but to make explicit his gospel that all can become children of God through faith. In Paul’s logic, what comes first is God’s promise, faith is a response to it through Christ, and the law can be fulfilled through faith. The gospel that Paul proclaimed to the Galatians is based on God who called them in the grace of Christ (1:6). Kim challenges the traditional reading of Galatians, exploring different dimensions of the gospel: (1) God as the origin and root of the gospel; (2) Christ as the exemplifier of God’s gospel through faithfulness; (3) the followers of Jesus as the children of God who participate in Christ’s faithfulness and continue to proclaim the good news of God through Jesus."

Wrestle with God first

My wrestling partner is God, not humans. I must deal with God first, as Jacob wrestled with a mysterious figure at the Jabbok River. We often feel good or bad by comparing ourselves with others. We get stuck in a small world of competition and survival. However, we must overcome a competitive mindset. From God's perspective, we are all dust and need mercy. Fellow humans are not the object of a fight.

If there are issues with others, we must fight God first and ask why we are here in the world. We can ask lots of questions, dealing with ourselves and others. Like Hannah, we need the time of prayer and discernment, which is a process of our transformation. Like Jacob, we first need to wrestle with God.

A new book on Romans

Rereading ROMANS from the Perspective of Paul's Gospel

A Literary and Theological Commentary

"Yung Suk Kim’s new commentary on Paul’s letter to the Romans is powerful good news for readers who are seeking the foundation for an honest and upright life at a moment when moral values seem to be disappearing from the public square. Kim courageously challenges the traditional reading of Romans as a forensic treatise on the exoneration of guilty sinners by the vicarious death of Jesus. Kim reclaims Paul’s bold vision of the faithfulness of Jesus as the measure of a right life and the path forward to a just and reconciled world." —L. L. Welborn, Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature, Fordham University

"Yung Suk Kim’s book on Romans is a helpful, gospel-oriented explanation of Romans that consistently keeps Paul’s apostolic mission in mind. Its advantages are that it takes seriously the faithfulness of Jesus, beginning with its explanation of Romans 3:22-26, its attention to Paul’s focus on Israel and its salvation, and its attention to 12:1–15:13 as integral to Paul’s argument. This book will work well to introduce undergraduate and seminary students to Paul’s letter to the Romans." —Mark Reasoner, Professor of Biblical Theology, Marian University

Bible Study Videos (Luke 5:1-11) at 2019 UMC Western PA Annual Conference

The following videos were created by the team of the WPAUMC. Thanks to them.

DAY 1 (6/6/2019)

  

DAY 2 (6/7/2019)

   

DAY 3 (6/8/2019)

  

At the 2019 UMC Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference

VIDEOS

My presentation this morning went well with almost 2000 attendees filling the house.

I talked about Luke 5:1-11 (June 6, 2019)

An honorable day

Today, at Virginia Union University commencement, I was honored to receive the Scott & Stringfellow Outstanding Professor Award. It comes with a monetary gift. This is a true blessing on my birthday. I thank my family, friends, students, colleagues, and others who have supported me tirelessly. In the last 14 years, I have tried my best and will continue to strive for excellence. Danny Glover spoke powerfully to the graduating class of 2019; he said something like this: “Resistance and sustainable activism are the ingredients of social change.” He is an award-winning actor, producer ("Color Purple" movie) and humanitarian. One other notable thing at this ceremony was one alum’s (Dr. Virginia Howerton, ‘65) donation of 2.5 million dollars to the university, the largest one-time gift from anyone in the history of Virginia Union University. Indeed, she made a lasting impact on many graduates who heard her speaking today.

New book: Reimagining the Body of Christ in Paul's Letters

This book questions all familiar readings of “the body of Christ” in Paul’s letters and helps readers rethink the context and the purpose of this phrase. Against the view that Paul’s body of Christ metaphor mainly has to do with a metaphorical organism that emphasizes unity, Kim argues that the body of Christ metaphor has more to do with the embodiment of God’s gospel through Christ. While Deutero-Pauline Letters and Pastoral Letters use this body metaphor mainly as an organism, Paul’s undisputed letters, in particular, 1 Corinthians and Romans, treat it differently with a focus on Christic embodiment. Reexamining the diverse use of “the body of Christ” in Paul’s undisputed letters, this book argues that Paul’s body of Christ metaphor has to do with the proclamation of God’s gospel.

“Concisely describing how ‘the body of Christ’ must be reimagined as ‘the Christic body,’ Kim’s argumentation has wide-reaching implications for those of us who fight for liberation and justice within church and society. Providing a launching point that will allow scholars and pastors to teach and model ‘soft-union’ in Christ while uplifting particularity in communion, Kim’s interpretation of Pauline theology and ethics will enliven conversations in the classroom and the church for years to come. —Angela Parker, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology

“Yung Suk Kim offers fresh insight into the heart of Paul’s theology: the body of Christ. Interestingly, Kim challenges the reader by reconstructing Christ’s body as a union in solidarity with those on the margins, especially in the hierarchical systems prevalent in the Roman imperial society and culture. No doubt, his theological reimagination can empower today’s Christians to resist unity without diversity in the so-called post-truth era of Trump. This little but powerful book thus holds onto hope for embodying Paul’s teaching in a more responsible manner.” —Sung Uk Lim, Assistant Professor of New Testament, College of Theology & United Graduate School of Theology, Yonsei University

"With illuminating analysis of key texts, Kim offers a concise and timely understanding of the body of Christ in Paul's letters that challenges hegemonic models and reminds us that care for the poor and pursuing justice for the weak of society are at the heart of the gospel and Christian living." —Timothy Milinovich, Associate Professor & Chair of Theology, Director of Catholic Studies, Dominican University

Human Transformation Begins ...

Human transformation begins with an attitude that "I am weak or limited." When I am weak, I see and feel the weakness of others. When I confess that "I am no one," God would say: "No, you are not unworthy." Through humility, I gain new energy or spirit from above. That is a moment of a spiritual birth from above (c.f., John 3:5-6). This new birth gives us a sense of "I am someone." 

If I am someone who shares the weakness of others, I can be one for others. I may find solidarity with them. I love them not because I am over them but because I feel the same weakness with them. 

I must acknowledge that the moment of "I am someone" is not perpetual. I still may hit hard roads and make mistakes. I may feel disappointed with myself. I have to accept what I am. In other words, I must admit that I am limited and deficient. I am that I am. I am not beyond what I am.  

Philosophy of transformation

"I have to accept what I am"