Spread the word about this new book

Since the release of my new book, Justice and the Parables of Jesus: Interpreting the Gospel Stories through Political Philosophy, just two weeks ago, I have made every effort to spread the word. Now, I believe the book has a life of its own—with hands, feet, a heart, and eyes—ready to reach the people who need it most. I pray that readers will be blessed by it.

Mastering the Greek Alphabet in 20 Minutes

 Four years have elapsed since the creation of this video. Time flies.

 

Maturity

[36] Mindfulness poem on Maturity
#mindfulness #maturity #poem #yungsukkim

Why I Run a Writing Factory (And Why You Should Too)

If anyone asks me the secret to being a prolific writer, here is my answer: Metaphorically speaking, I run a writing factory and warehouse containing many potential projects, ranging from fully developed manuscripts to inchoate ideas. It is my habit to work daily in this factory, keeping it constantly updated. I have run this operation for almost twenty years now. So, you can start building your own writing factory and warehouse, just like me. There is no shortcut to it.

"The Fourth Horizon" new book project

With the manuscript for Treasures and Thorns now with the publisher, I am returning to an ongoing project: The Fourth Horizon: The Mental World as a Critical Lens for Hermeneutics and Homiletics. I am currently refining the book's description and writing a sample chapter titled "Genesis 19: The Trauma of Sodom and the Psychology of Violence."

 

How to Read the Gospels

This book, How to Read the Gospels, truly reflects my passion for the study of the Gospels. It is structured into two main parts: a critical introduction to each Gospel and a section on methodological diversity.

The Gospel narratives are not static; they reflect us and speak to us. To truly understand them, we must read closely and diversely, engaging with contemporary issues ranging from mental health and the climate crisis to political and economic justice.

The Gospels do not necessarily provide technical solutions to modern problems, but they do demand that we revisit the stories of Jesus from our current contexts. Interpretation should never be dominated by one school of thought; rather, every reader can discern what is good from their unique perspective. We must avoid using the Bible as a weapon against other cultures or as a replacement for all other knowledge. Instead, we should view the Gospels as an open invitation: a call to weave our stories into the ongoing story of Jesus, not to triumph over others, but to respond to the good news.

How to Read Paul

Paul is a controversial yet crucial apostle who deeply impacted subsequent generations of Christians. While he is often the object of both love and hatred, it is essential to examine him with a fair and reasonable mind. Believing him to be greatly misrepresented, I have spent years digging into his letters—first in my dissertation and later acting almost like a lawyer on his behalf.

This research culminated in my 2021 textbook: How to Read Paul: A Brief Introduction to His Writings, Theology, and World. I hope many will understand him better through this book, which tackles the most pressing questions about his life and theology, such as:

• Is he a systematic theologian paving a way of salvation based on "faith in Christ"?
• Is he a social conservative or a challenger to the Roman Empire?
• How can one be justified by God—by one's faith in Christ, or through Christ's faith?
• What are his views on the law, Israel, and the Abrahamic covenant?
• What does he mean by "the righteousness of God"?
• How do his views on community intersect with gender, class, and ethnicity?
• How did his diaspora experience and his relationship with the Jerusalem church shape his gospel?

Submission of a new book manuscript

I am about to submit my new book manuscript, titled Treasures and Thorns: A Concise Critical Commentary on 2 Corinthians. If things go well, I assume it will be released sometime in the fall of this year. 

It feels like one book after another right now! Please don't think I have done all this work in one day or overnight; I have been working on this for some years. Metaphorically speaking, I run a writing factory and warehouse containing many potential projects, ranging from fully developed manuscripts to inchoate ideas. It is my habit to work daily in this factory, keeping it constantly updated.

 

(tentative imaginary book cover)

New binding style

Thanks to the publisher, I just received a hardcover copy of my new book! I discovered that it uses a binding style I hadn't seen before. I learned it's a method called "Case Laminate" (or "Casewrap"), where the cover design is printed directly on the surface and sealed with a laminate for protection. It’s quite different from the traditional "Paper-over-Board" (POB) style I was used to.

 

Enhance your teaching

Looking to deepen your group's understanding of the parables? Justice and the Parables of Jesus is the ideal guide for pastors and teachers. This book unpacks ten specific types of justice found in the stories of Jesus, providing a rich, ten-week framework for discussion. Check out the sample syllabus to explore the topics covered.