The Burning Bush and Divine Revelation

אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה (Exod 3:14)

"I am that I am" (my translation)

Other translations: "I will be what I will be." "I am who I am" in the sense that "I am the one who exists forever" (Philo's Hellenistic interpretation).

The name YHWH (Tetragrammaton) derives from the above verse; most likely, from hayah ("to be"). In the burning bush in Exodus 3, God defies Moses' request to know his name. Instead, he says: "I am that I am," which means "I am the one who has been revealed throughout your ancestors." In this context, YHWH is not the name of God; rather, God is called in such ways because of what he said to Moses.     

The above saying characterizes me. I am that I am. I am irreplaceable by anything or anyone. I am awesome because I am God's masterpiece. I must believe it. Nothing or no one can bring me down or describe me fully or adequately. No matter what happens, God's love remains strong and unchanged. So I am that I am. 

Biblical Studies and Life

This book was published independently years ago and has been revised. It features a collection of selected essays I wrote during my early teaching career. Some of the chapters include "The Roots of Individualism," "Jesus's Identity and Character Formation in the Gospel of John," and "Whose Righteousness and Faith?" These writings have served as foundational elements that continue to nurture my ongoing research and have deepened my understanding of these topics.

“The Samaritan as a Paragon of Self-Love and Neighborly Love (Luke 10:25-37)”

In December 2024, I had the pleasure of delivering a speech at Yonsei University Graduate School of Theology in Seoul, Korea. Today I revised it for submission to a journal, and I hope it will be published someday. I am contacting one of the journals. The title is “The Samaritan as a Paragon of Self-Love and Neighborly Love (Luke 10:25-37).”

Wisdom

"Wisdom is the fusion of knowledge and experience that empowers us to navigate life's complexities, guiding us to live with insight and purpose across all cultures." (Yung Suk Kim, 2025)

"every thing changes"

諸行無常
“Everything changes.” (anicca, from Buddhist trad.)

הבל
“Vapor, breath” (Eccl. 1:2)

“The only constant in life is change.” (Heraclitus)

“Change is inherent to being human; the key lies in understanding and embracing it. A creative life emerges from a vortex of change.” (Yung Suk Kim)

AT THE INTERSECTION OF HERMENEUTICS AND HOMILETICS

 

This book is ideal for those who don't appreciate the same old approach to traditional interpretation or preaching that fails to consider alternative readings while pushing for a hegemonic perspective. The most salient feature of this edited volume is that multiple, diversely seasoned scholars read the same text from their critical, contextual perspectives. Sometimes, their readings converge; at other times, they diverge, often creating tension or conflict. The book includes three homiletical introductory chapters and ten transgressive readings aimed at transformational preaching.

Embrace Change

"Change is inherent to being human; the key lies in understanding and embracing it. A creative life emerges from a vortex of change."
-Yung Suk Kim

The Lord's Prayer

My passion for creative research has always driven me to venture into less-traveled areas. Recently, I focused on the Lord's Prayer, which is practiced and prayed a lot, yet still needs a fresh reading that has not been argued for before. My focus is resilience and spirituality. I have developed an analytical theory that interprets this profound prayer tradition and immersed myself in scholarly literature. Gradually, I am working toward crafting a book proposal. This endeavor is my summer project.

  

My Rose

This is my rose! I water it every day. It soothes me with gentle beauty.  

My heart blooms with a deep affection for flowers, and at its center stands my cherished rose.
I cradle its tender beauty each day,
watering it with devotion and gentle hands.
It is more than a plant; it is my love incarnate,
a soothing balm that heals my soul,
whispering secrets of hope as its floral leaves unfurl
in the embrace of each new dawn.

Finally, the manuscript was submitted

I am pleased to have submitted the manuscript on the parables today. What's done is done. Until I hear from my editor at the publisher, I will put this behind me and move on to another project.

[tentative cover]

JUSTICE AND PARABLES

Reading Jesus's Parables through Political Philosophy

Book Description:
This book examines Jesus's parables through the lens of political philosophy, with a particular emphasis on the concept of justice. It poses the foundational question: "What is the right thing to do?" The parables reflect the life issues and complexities of justice in Jesus's time, offering a radical vision based on the reign of God that challenges the prevailing values and justice system of the Roman Empire.

The work explores the multifaceted theme of justice articulated through Jesus's parables, situating his teachings within the socio-political landscape of first-century Palestine. This approach seeks to uncover nuanced interpretations of justice and the moral intricacies inherent in these narratives. The book meticulously categorizes various forms of justice that resonate with the parabolic teachings: distributive, attributive, procedural, social, restorative, compensatory, retributive, global, racial, and environmental justice.

Readers can navigate through chapters aligned with their specific interests, each accompanied by thought-provoking discussion questions designed to foster critical dialogue and reflection. Ultimately, this volume aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and advocating for justice in the modern world, making it an essential resource for scholars, theologians, and anyone interested in the teachings of parables.

 

Below is an excerpt from the last paragraph of the concluding section.

Diversity characterizes how nature survives and thrives. It is crucial for understanding a world where various people and cultures coexist. This implies that no race, culture, tradition, or religion should dominate others. Truth can be discovered across multiple aspects of human life and through diverse perspectives, even when they are difficult to express. Mere differences between cultures do not automatically constitute diversity. We must learn to think collectively, respect one another, and collaborate to create a just society and a better world. Differences in cultures or religions should not be perceived as threats or taboo; instead, they should be viewed as opportunities for mutual engagement and shared learning experiences. Otherwise, cultural or religious arrogance may dominate our social and political landscapes. Ultimately, we need critically engaged diversity to foster global solidarity. While we are different, we also share a common humanity: our honor and duty to uphold and pass on to future generations.