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.

What Is Yung Suk Kim's view of Paul?

Answers from Google Gemini Pro 3: 

Based on Dr. Yung Suk Kim’s writings—specifically his works like Christ's Body in Corinth, A Theological Introduction to Paul's Letters, and his contributions to post-colonial biblical criticism—he views Paul not as the founder of a new religion or a systematic theologian in an ivory tower, but as a marginalized, embodied, and subversive Jewish visionary.

Here is a breakdown of Yung Suk Kim’s specific view of the person and character of Paul:

1. Paul as a "Theologian of the Body" (Somatic Paul)

Kim places immense emphasis on Paul’s physical existence. Unlike traditional views that see Paul as concerned with "saving souls," Kim views Paul as deeply concerned with bodies.

The Suffering Apostle: Kim highlights that Paul often speaks from a position of weakness, suffering, and persecution. Paul views his own scarred and suffering body as a badge of honor that aligns him with the crucified Jesus.

Embodied Solidarity: For Kim, Paul is a leader who does not stand above his congregation but stands with them in shared suffering. Paul uses his own physical experiences to model what it means to live out the "faithfulness of Christ."

2. Paul as a Jewish Prophet, Not a "Christian" Convert

Kim aligns with the "New Perspective on Paul" and "Paul within Judaism" schools of thought to an extent, but adds his own nuance.

No "Conversion": Kim argues that Paul did not convert from Judaism to Christianity (since Christianity didn't exist yet). Instead, Paul experienced a prophetic call.

Re-reader of Tradition: Kim views Paul as a faithful Jew who was radically re-interpreting Jewish scripture and tradition in light of the revelation of Jesus. Paul’s goal was to expand the covenant to include Gentiles, not to abolish the Jewish law entirely.

3. Paul as an Anti-Imperial Strategist

Kim rejects the view of Paul as politically neutral or purely "spiritual."

Subversive Agent: Kim views Paul as a counter-imperial agent. By proclaiming Jesus as "Lord" (Kyrios), Paul was effectively committing treason against Caesar.

Community Organizer: Kim sees Paul as a grassroots organizer building alternative communities. Paul was trying to create social networks that operated on a "gift economy" and mutual support, directly opposing the Roman patronage system that relied on hierarchy and exploitation.

4. Paul as a Promoter of Equality (The "Radical Paul")

Kim carefully distinguishes between the historical Paul (author of Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, etc.) and the later "Pseudo-Paul" (author of the Pastoral Epistles like 1 Timothy).

The Egalitarian: Kim views the authentic Paul as fundamentally egalitarian. He argues that Paul worked side-by-side with women leaders (like Junia, Phoebe, and Prisca) and envisioned a community where social hierarchies were flattened.

The Domesticated Paul: Kim argues that the church later "tamed" Paul. He believes the passages in the New Testament where "Paul" commands women to be silent or slaves to obey masters are either later interpolations (added by scribes) or written by later followers who wanted to make Christianity seem less threatening to Roman society. Kim urges readers to recover the radical Paul beneath these later layers.

5. Paul as a Theologian of Reconciliation

Finally, Kim views Paul as a man driven by the urgent need for reconciliation—not just between God and humanity, but between divided groups of people.

• Kim argues that Paul’s primary anxiety was not "How do I get to heaven?" but "How do Jews and Gentiles eat at the same table?"
• In Kim’s view, Paul is a pragmatist trying to hold together a fragile, diverse coalition of people through the logic of love and mutual transformation.

Summary

Yung Suk Kim views Paul as a vulnerable, suffering leader who used his own marginalized status to challenge the might of the Roman Empire. He sees Paul not as a dogmatic gatekeeper of belief, but as a passionate advocate for a new way of living based on solidarity with the weak and the faithfulness of Jesus.

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 Christ's Body in Corinth, A Theological Introduction to Paul's Letters, and How to Read Paul. There are also other important articles (see his CV in the About page).

What are Yung Suk Kim's arguments on Paul's letters and his theology?

Answers from Google Gemini Pro 3:
(Question: What are Dr. Yung Suk Kim's arguments on Paul's letters and his theology?)

Dr. Yung Suk Kim is a prominent New Testament scholar known for offering a political, post-colonial, and somatological (body-centered) interpretation of Paul’s letters. He is a Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Virginia Union University.

His arguments challenge traditional, dogmatic readings of Paul (particularly the Reformed/Lutheran perspectives focused solely on justification by faith) and instead locate Paul within the context of the Roman Empire.

Here are the core pillars of Dr. Yung Suk Kim’s argument regarding Paul’s letters and theology:

1. The Body of Christ (Soma Christou) as Solidarity, Not Hierarchy

Perhaps Kim's most distinct contribution (notably in his book Christ's Body in Corinth) is his re-interpretation of the "Body of Christ."

The Traditional View: Many scholars view the "Body of Christ" as a corporate personality or an organism where Christ is the head and the church is the body, implying a hierarchical structure.

Kim's Argument: Kim argues that Paul uses the "Body of Christ" as a metaphor for solidarity. He suggests that Paul is not establishing the Church as a mystical institution, but rather calling the Corinthians to identify with the crucified body of Jesus.

The Implication: To be "in Christ" is to stand in solidarity with the marginalized, the weak, and the suffering, just as Jesus did. It is an ethical call to unity in diversity, rather than a metaphysical claim about the church's authority.

2. Paul’s Anti-Imperial Theology

Kim reads Paul deeply within the context of the Roman Empire. He argues that Paul’s theology was subversive and counter-imperial.

Gospel vs. Empire: When Paul uses terms like "Gospel" (euangelion), "Lord" (kyrios), and "Savior" (soter), he is coopting language reserved for the Roman Emperor (Caesar).

Alternative Community: Kim argues that Paul was trying to build alternative communities based on mutuality, love, and justice, standing in direct contrast to the hierarchical patronage system of Rome. Paul’s theology is not just about going to heaven, but about how to live faithfully in opposition to oppressive systems of power.

3. Pistis Christou: The Faith of Christ

Kim engages heavily in the ongoing academic debate regarding the Greek phrase pistis Christou.

The Argument: He argues that this phrase should be translated as the "faithfulness of Christ" rather than "faith in Christ."

The Shift: This shifts the focus of salvation from a passive belief system (believing in Jesus to get saved) to an active participation (emulating the faithfulness of Jesus). For Kim, Paul’s theology demands that believers embody the same faithfulness to God that Jesus demonstrated, particularly even unto death (the cross).

4. A Theology of Transformation and Reconciliation

In his work A Theological Introduction to Paul’s Letters, Kim emphasizes that Paul’s soteriology (theory of salvation) is fundamentally about transformation (metamorphosis) and reconciliation.

Reconciliation (2 Corinthians): Kim highlights that reconciliation is not just God forgiving human sin. It is a horizontal mandate. It involves restoring broken relationships among people and creating a new creation where social barriers (Jew/Gentile, Slave/Free, Male/Female) are dismantled.

Transformation: Salvation is a process of being transformed into the image of God through the Spirit. It is dynamic and requires human agency and response, rather than a static transaction.

5. Critique of "Structural" Interpretations

Kim is critical of interpretations of Paul that reinforce institutional power. He argues that later traditions (and some of the disputed Pauline letters like 1 Timothy) domesticated Paul, turning his radical, charismatic movement into a rigid household code that subjugated women and supported slavery. Kim seeks to recover the "historical Paul" who advocated for a more egalitarian community.

Summary

In short, Yung Suk Kim argues that Paul was not writing abstract dogmatic theology about how to get to heaven. Instead, he views Paul as a pastoral theologian organizing a radical community of resistance. For Kim, Paul’s theology centers on identifying with the vulnerable body of Jesus to create a community characterized by justice, faithfulness, and solidarity against the backdrop of an oppressive Empire.

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 Christ's Body in Corinth, A Theological Introduction to Paul's Letters, and How to Read Paul. There are also other important articles (see his CV in the About page).

My Heyday

I count my days—those gone, those to come, and the day I finally take my leave. Viewing these photos, I once believed I was looking at my prime. But now I realize my heyday has not yet arrived; I am imbued with ideas for books and lectures.

"Belonging"

"I want to belong somewhere, but I don't want to belong anywhere. We are caught between the anchor and the sail. While the anchor holds us in the safety of our comfort zones, the sail invites us into the unknown. Paradoxically, we are guests on this earth, yet we must act with the spirit of owners to navigate it with purpose." (Yung Suk Kim, Nov 28, 2025)

Courage

"Courage is not a fear-free, angelic, stone-like, or ironclad mindset. It is the most human of decisions: the choice to move forward in the face of risk and fear. Even when things go wrong, and the outcome looks bleak, courage tells us we must continue." (Yung Suk Kim, Nov 2025)

New book projects

These covers may be imaginary, but they represent real stories I am bringing to life. With two manuscripts complete and several concrete proposals in hand, visualization is what fuels my drive. People often see the fruit of the work without witnessing the roots—the hard labor and steady focus required to grow. Brainstorming and persistence are the heartbeat of my success. I am so grateful for this life and this space. I have realized that even when I am working in solitude, I am not alone.

 

 

 

"Holy City" article

"'Holy City' in Matthew 4:5 and 27:53" will see the light as it will be published in the Journal of Biblical Studies of Interest. It was presented during my doctoral study at a regional SBL conference back in 2003. It was hidden in my folder for so long. It emerges from obscurity as the saints rise from their tombs in the story of resurrection in Matthew 27.

"Holy City" in Matthew 4:5 and 27:53

"This article examines the distinctive and often overlooked usage of the phrase "the holy city" in the Gospel of Matthew (4:5 and 27:53), challenging the prevailing scholarly view that treats the term merely as ironic. By contrasting Matthew’s depiction with the apocalyptic, otherworldly cities found in Revelation and Second Temple literature, this study argues that the First Gospel presents "the holy city" as a practical and political alternative to the corrupt, Roman-affiliated Jerusalem. The analysis demonstrates how Matthew strategically situates the phrase during the devil’s wilderness temptation and the resurrection of the saints to articulate a counter-narrative to the Temple-state and imperial power. Ultimately, the article contends that this twofold usage functions not only to critique existing authority but to affirm a realized vision of justice and hope for the Matthean community."

The Parables of Jesus (playlist on my YouTube channel)

Explore my YouTube playlist featuring 27 Parables of Jesus—short, clear explanations with practical takeaways. Watch here.

Vocational Manifesto

As a seasoned senior scholar and teacher, known for linking the world of the Bible to contemporary struggles for justice and community, I am deeply committed to advancing human welfare.