Theological Education and Uncertainty

Yung Suk Kim

Indeed, we live in times of uncertainty, fearing climate change, witnessing war crimes, and facing political unrest with the emergence of Christian nationalists. Religion is used as a weapon to control others. On the other hand, the church declines and struggles while theological schools dwindle.

Amid multiple layers of change and their lingering effects on our theological education, I ask: Where are we now? What can we do? Where are we going? Where is our anchor and hope? As Dr. Martin Luther King once said, we must believe things can be changed. Somehow things can change amid uncertainty. The emphasis is on “somehow.”

While uncertainty unsettles our minds, it can be a moment of unlearning for reconstruction. It can be a momentum to innovate or reimagine our future. I quote several uncertainty-related words and insights below.

Heraclitus, pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, 6 c. BCE, emphasizes fundamental aspects of change in life and the universe. There are popular paraphrases of his thought: "We all face changes every day." "The only constant in life is change." More importantly, his insight about change is wonderful. He says: "Whoever cannot seek the unforeseen sees nothing, for the known way is an impasse."
—Heraclitus, Fragments

"Not knowing is a permissive and rigorous willingness to [leave] knowing in suspension, trusting in possibility without result."
—Ann Hamilton, “Making Not Knowing,” in Learning Mind: Experience into Art, ed. Mary Jane Jacob and Jacquelynn Bass (University of California Press, 2010), 68-69.

"Knowing of not knowing is the best; while not knowing, pretending to know is a disease."
—Laozi (Daodejing)

"It is dangerous to live in a secure world."
—Teju Cole, Open City (New York: Random House, 2011), 200.

"Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos."
—Mary Shelley, Frankenstein: The 1818 Text (New York: Penguin Classics, 2018), 240.

“Hope is the story of uncertainty, of coming to terms with the risk involved in not knowing what comes next, which is more demanding than despair and, in a way, more frightening. And immeasurably more rewarding.”
—Rebecca Solnit, Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities (Chicago: Haymarket Books, 2016), 7.

I hope we wisely and courageously navigate all these parameters of uncertainty and change.

Normal vs. Abnormal

There are things like normal and there are things like abnormal. How do we know what is normal or abnormal? Sometimes, as time passes, we realize the previously abnormal looks normal, and vice versa. There are blurring lines between them. When it comes to nature, all things are natural and look normal. Likewise, it should be cautious to apply the concept of normal vs. abnormal to humans. Can we say "I am normal" anytime and under any circumstances? If so, what is the basis for it?

Summer 2024: Fruit of Scholarship

I vacationed well during this summer. I also worked hard writing two articles/chapters for my future books. One is about The Lord's Prayer, and the other is about the parable of the Good Samaritan. I read both texts from interdisciplinary perspectives focused on psychology and mental well-being. So far so good. They make sense to me. I will refine them along the way.  

"Resurrecting Jesus"

I wrote this book to emphasize the importance of bringing the historical Jesus back into our discussions of New Testament theology. Traditional New Testament theology needs to take the work of the historical Jesus seriously. For example, people often overlook the question of what led to his death. His crucifixion was the result of his actions. We need to understand what he preached and why he was willing to die. After all, he was not born just to die. Jesus is a historical figure who should not be confined or misrepresented by anyone.

 

Quotes about uncertainty as a way of life

"Not knowing is a permissive and rigorous willingness to [leave] knowing in suspension, trusting in possibility without result."

-Ann Hamilton

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

知不知上;不知知病。-Laozi

"Whoever cannot seek the unforeseen sees nothing, for the known way is an impasse."

-Heraclitus

*Paraphrases of Heraclitus's thought: "We all face changes daily." "The only constant in life is change." 

Annica (諸行無常, impermanence): "Everything changes."

-from Buddhist scripture.

"Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity."

-Eccl. 1:2
*Note: The Hebrew word "hebel" means "breath or vapor." Vanity is not the only translation of
this word. The idea of "hebel" is everything changes.

"Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos."

-Mary Shelley

"It is dangerous to live in a secure world." 

-Teju Cole

“Hope is the story of uncertainty, of coming to terms with the risk involved in not knowing what comes next, which is more demanding than despair and, in a way, more frightening. And immeasurably more rewarding.” 

-Rebecca Solnit

"Change is inherent in being human. The key is how to understand and embrace it. A creative life comes through a vortex of change." 

-Yung Suk Kim

Hermeneutics of Suspicion: About "Unity"

I’m suspicious of anyone who advocates for unity, whether they are politicians or scholars. My hermeneutics of suspicion reaches its peak when I hear unity rhetoric. Who gets to define unity? Who benefits from it? Unity often serves as a tool for those in power to marginalize others on the fringes. We should question the motives of those who promote unity. Instead, we should strive for multiple groups with no single center of power. We should embrace uncertainty and allow for ambiguity in some situations. My goal is to challenge and deconstruct the deceptive language of forced unity. See who is talking about unity.

Neuroplasticity

After my usual workout, I thought about neuroplasticity, which is "a process involving adaptive structural and functional changes in the brain" (NIH definition). It allows us to think flexibly and creatively and increases when we take a break from focused work or business. So, take a rest, go for a walk, exercise, or relax in a hot sauna. Free your mind from burdens and obsessions.

I had many brainstorming in my swimming, resting in a hot sauna, taking a walk, or even in my sleeping bed. Let your mind go its course by not pressuring it too much. I don't mean that neuroplasticity improves only through exercise or rest. It can be strengthened through meditation, good sleep, learning a new language, playing an instrument, and making art.

Clarifications about the Gospel/Good News (euangelion)

Yung Suk Kim, PhD 

The gospel/good news is a translation of euangelion, which means "good news" or "glad tidings." This word is used by the emperor who legitimates his rule. Also, the Septuagint has this word (Isa 52:7; 40:9). Isa 52:7 reads: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'"

The good news in the New Testament is not a genre or book. The four Gospels are writings/stories about Jesus.

How to Read the Gospels

 

*PDF material of the above video content

*related posting: Clarifications about the Gospel/Good News (euangelion)

 

Away from my computer or smartphone

Sometimes it's better to turn off my computer or get away from my smartphone because I need quiet time to feel my body, hear my breathing, and listen to my inner mind. Doing nothing sets me to a default from which I can restart my work, whatever it is.

I also need quiet time with myself when I have important research tasks. Once I read enough resources, including books and articles in print or online, I sit with myself, take blank papers out, brainstorm, and begin to write article outlines. I completed three tasks this morning, making outlines for three chapters/articles. I can go back to my computer later to push myself further.