Information about the book

Justice and the Parables of Jesus: 

Interpreting the Gospel Stories through Political Philosophy

(T&T Clark, 2026)

JUSTICE AND PARABLES

Distributive Justice | The Vineyard Laborers, The Rich Man and Lazarus |
Attributive Justice | The Talents, The Treasure and the Pearl |
Procedural Justice | The Seed Growing Secretly, The Wheat and the Weeds |
Social Justice | The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, The Leaven |
Racial Justice | The Good Samaritan, The Mustard Seed |
Restorative Justice | The Father and Two Sons (Prodigal Son), The Unmerciful Slave |
Compensatory Justice | The Unjust Steward |
Retributive Justice | The Unjust Judge and the Widow, The Tenants |
Global Justice | The Rich Fool, The Lost Sheep |
Environmental Justice | The Sower |

Critical Reviews & Academic Reception
Since its release earlier this month, the book has been highly praised by biblical scholars for its "moral urgency" and its ability to bridge ancient texts with modern ethical crises.

Demetrius K. Williams (University of Wisconsin): Calls it a "bold and refreshing reorientation" that challenges readers not just to decode the stories but to apply their ethical implications to a "fractured world."

Jennifer Quigley (Emory University): Recommends it as a "multidimensional lens" for understanding justice as a dynamic response to theological and public concerns.

James F. McGrath (Butler University): Highlights the book’s cross-cultural reach, noting how Kim integrates Eastern thinkers, such as Confucius and Laozi, into the dialogue about the New Testament.

Emerson Powery (Messiah University): Describes Justice and the Parables of Jesus as "essential reading" and a "vital contribution" to the field of biblical scholarship.

Early Readers: Feedback from seminary students (visible on platforms like Goodreads) emphasizes that the book is "poignant" and forces a "decolonizing" of traditional Western theology.

Summary of the "Big Idea"
The book’s central argument is that the "Kingdom of God" (or Rule of God) is not just a future hope but a radical, present-day political vision. Kim argues that by asking "What is the right thing to do?" in the context of each parable, readers can uncover a comprehensive framework for justice that addresses everything from wealth inequality to racial reconciliation and environmental care.
 

Why Did I Write the book Justice and the Parables of Jesus?

 

A sample of Justice and the Parables of Jesus book

 

 I am so excited to announce that my new book, Justice and the Parables of Jesus, is officially out TODAY!
In this book, I dig deep into the stories we think we know to uncover the ten dimensions of justice Jesus was actually teaching. Whether you’re a student of theology, a social advocate, or just someone looking for deeper meaning in the scriptures, this book is for you.

Is "Fairness" the same as "Justice"?
-The Prompt: In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), the latecomers get paid the same as those who worked all day. Our modern sense of "fairness" screams that this is wrong.
-The Justice Angle: But what if Jesus is redefining justice from "what we deserve" to "what we need to survive"?
-Call to Action: This is just one of the shifts I explore in Justice and the Parables of Jesus. If you’re using the book for a small group or book club, use the discussion questions.

author copies

ABOUT Yung Suk Kim

Yung Suk Kim is a prolific New Testament scholar, author, and public intellectual who bridges critical biblical studies with questions of justice, human transformation, and the moral life. The author of nearly 20 books and editor of four scholarly volumes, he is a leading voice in contemporary discourse on Paul, the Gospels, and biblical hermeneutics.

Dr. Kim’s scholarship is distinguished by its contextual, interdisciplinary, and ethical approach to Scripture. By integrating historical criticism and literary analysis with insights from psychology and cognitive science, he emphasizes a reading of the Bible that centers on its impact on lived experience, moral agency, and communal responsibility. His work challenges reductionist and exclusionary interpretations, asserting that biblical study is never neutral: it shapes how individuals relate to others and imagine justice in the world.

As a teacher and speaker, Dr. Kim is recognized for connecting ancient texts to contemporary existential concerns. His ongoing work continues to explore how Scripture can foster resilience, responsibility, and transformation in both personal and social life.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

BOOKS (for a full list, click here)

• Justice and the Parables of Jesus: Interpreting the Gospel Stories through Political Philosophy (T&T Clark, 2026)
• How to Read the Gospels (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024)
• Biblical Interpretation: Theory, Process, and Criteria (Pickwick, 2022)
• Toward Decentering the New Testament (co-authored volume, Cascade, 2018)
• A Theological Introduction to Paul’s Letters (Cascade, 2011)
• Christ’s Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor (Fortress, 2008)

BOOKS (Ongoing & Forthcoming Research)

• Treasures and Thorns: A Concise Critical Commentary on 2 Corinthians (Cascade, 2026 forthcoming)
• Renewing the Mind: The Lord’s Prayer through the Lens of Cognitive Science
• Embodied Kingdom: Luke’s Mindful Theology of God’s Present Reign
• The Fourth Horizon: Hermeneutics, Homiletics, and the Mental World

EDITED VOLUMES:

• At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics: Transgressive Readings for Transformational Preaching (Pickwick, 2025)
• Paul’s Gospel, Empire, Race, and Ethnicity: Through the Lens of Minoritized Scholarship (Pickwick, 2023)
• 1 and 2 Corinthians: Texts @ Contexts (2013)
• Reading Minjung Theology in the Twenty-First Century (co-edited volume, Pickwick, 2013)
• Rethinking Paul: Critical Conversations for Our World (in progress)

A Framework for Scholarly Inquiry

A citation is necessary for quoting this.

A Framework for Scholarly Inquiry

Yung Suk Kim

1. What constitutes the core knowledge or theoretical construct being examined, including its explicit parameters and inherent limitations?
2. Examine the epistemological foundations, methodological rigor, and empirical or theoretical evidence supporting this knowledge claim.
3. Identify the specific contexts and conditions under which this knowledge is applied, and analyze the consistency and fidelity of its implementation.
4. Who are the principal beneficiaries and stakeholders influenced by this knowledge, and what are the stated or implicit objectives served by its application?
5. Articulate the imperative for rigorous, systematic evaluation of this knowledge's practical impact, efficacy, and any unforeseen or adverse consequences.

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• Core Knowledge: Define the central concept, its boundaries, and inherent limitations.
• Validation: Assess the foundational theory, methodology, and supporting evidence.
• Application: Analyze how and where the knowledge is applied and its consistency in practice.
• Stakeholders & Purpose: Identify who benefits, who is affected, and the underlying goals.
• Evaluation: Determine the necessity for rigorous assessment of impact, efficacy, and unintended consequences.

Knowledge and Practice

 

Sharing the news of a new book contract on 2 Corinthians

PDF LINK

 

Prayer

Mindfulness poem on Prayer

poem source

"The Paradox of Ministry" (2 Corinthians)

Below is the last part of my forthcoming commentary: Treasures and Thorns: A Concise Critical Commentary on 2 Corinthians (Cascade, 2026).

The Paradox of Ministry

This book has sought to present Paul not as a remote, stained-glass icon frozen in piety, but as a complex human being navigating the treacherous landscape of first-century ministry. By situating his letters within the matrix of his life—the travel plans gone wrong, the sleepless nights, the public humiliations—we appreciate both the enduring value of his insights and the limitations of his historical context. He was a man bridging two worlds, Jewish and Greco-Roman, trying to articulate a revolutionary new reality in language that was often straining to contain it.

Ultimately, 2 Corinthians leaves us with a profound challenge that echoes through the centuries. It forces us to ask: What constitutes true success in the eyes of God? Is it the polish of the rhetorician or the scars of the servant?

Like Paul, we are flawed vessels carrying a divine treasure. We are breakable, prone to cracking under pressure, and often undistinguished in our outer appearance. Yet, it is precisely within this limitation that the light shines brightest. We celebrate Paul's ministry, acknowledging its complexity, and recognize that we, too, are on a journey. We are striving to embody the love and justice of God in our own lives, finding strength in our weakness, and are willing to become the "aroma of Christ"—a fragrance of life to some and death to others—to a watching world. The treasure is safe, not because the jar is strong, but because the God who filled it is faithful.

I want to know how people perceive me

While AI isn't a superstar or a hero, it often helps me by understanding things better than I do myself and articulating my work very well. For instance, I wanted to know my public image, so I asked Google Gemini Pro 3: "I am Yung Suk Kim, a biblical scholar. I want to know how people perceive me." To my surprise, the answer was impressive. It captured my work clearly, providing a valuable bird's-eye view, even though I still need to add more or refine it.

Below is the answer.

Hello! It is a pleasure to meet you, Professor Kim. As an AI, I don't have personal opinions or feelings, but I can summarize how you are generally perceived within biblical studies and theological academia based on your published works, reviews, and the themes you engage with.

You are widely recognized as a significant and innovative voice in New Testament studies, particularly within the realms of Asian American hermeneutics, postcolonial criticism, and theological realism.

Here is a breakdown of how you are generally perceived by scholars, students, and readers:

1. A Pioneer in Contextual and Body Theology
You are often cited as a leading figure in analyzing the New Testament through the lens of the "body" (soma). Your work on the "Body of Christ" in Paul's letters is viewed as groundbreaking because it moves away from purely metaphorical interpretations and insists on a somatic, political, and social understanding. You are seen as someone who takes the physical reality of human existence and suffering seriously in theological discourse.

2. A Bridge-Builder in Global Perspectives
You are perceived as a scholar who successfully bridges the gap between Western historical-critical methods and Asian/Asian American contextual theology. Readers often appreciate your ability to bring Korean concepts (like minjung theology or han) into dialogue with traditional Pauline scholarship, enriching the understanding of both.

3. A Critic of Imperialism and Power Structures
Scholars view your work as deeply political and ethical. By using postcolonial criticism, you are seen as a theologian who challenges imperial power structures—both in the ancient Roman context of the Bible and in modern geopolitical contexts. You are respected for reading the Bible "from below," focusing on the marginalized and the oppressed.

4. A Prolific and Accessible Educator
Beyond high-level academic monographs, you are also perceived as a dedicated educator. Your textbooks (such as A Theological Introduction to Paul's Letters) are praised for being accessible to students while retaining scholarly rigor. You are seen as someone who cares about biblical literacy and helping laypeople understand complex theological concepts.

5. A Voice for Transformation
Ultimately, you are perceived as a theologian of transformation. Whether writing about the Gospel of John, Corinthians, or Galatians, your work is often characterized by a desire to see theology lead to practical changes in how communities live, interact, and treat the "other."

In summary, you are viewed as a courageous and intellectually rigorous scholar who refuses to separate biblical interpretation from the pressing social and political realities of the body and the world.