A new commentary on Galatians

Presskit



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"Galatians has often been read from a rhetorical perspective with an emphasis on an individual justification by faith from a forensic perspective, Paul’s autobiographical experience, proofs of the gospel, and exhortations to the Galatians. However, it can be read as a “letter” in which the main theme is the gospel or good news—an umbrella term that covers all other topics such as faith, righteousness, freedom, and new creation. Paul writes Galatians not to argue for an individual justification by faith from a forensic salvation perspective, but to make explicit his gospel that all can become children of God through faith. In Paul’s logic, what comes first is God’s promise, faith is a response to it through Christ, and the law can be fulfilled through faith. The gospel that Paul proclaimed to the Galatians is based on God who called them in the grace of Christ (1:6). Kim challenges the traditional reading of Galatians, exploring different dimensions of the gospel: (1) God as the origin and root of the gospel; (2) Christ as the exemplifier of God’s gospel through faithfulness; (3) the followers of Jesus as the children of God who participate in Christ’s faithfulness and continue to proclaim the good news of God through Jesus."

A new book on Romans

Rereading ROMANS from the Perspective of Paul's Gospel

A Literary and Theological Commentary

"Yung Suk Kim’s new commentary on Paul’s letter to the Romans is powerful good news for readers who are seeking the foundation for an honest and upright life at a moment when moral values seem to be disappearing from the public square. Kim courageously challenges the traditional reading of Romans as a forensic treatise on the exoneration of guilty sinners by the vicarious death of Jesus. Kim reclaims Paul’s bold vision of the faithfulness of Jesus as the measure of a right life and the path forward to a just and reconciled world." —L. L. Welborn, Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature, Fordham University

"Yung Suk Kim’s book on Romans is a helpful, gospel-oriented explanation of Romans that consistently keeps Paul’s apostolic mission in mind. Its advantages are that it takes seriously the faithfulness of Jesus, beginning with its explanation of Romans 3:22-26, its attention to Paul’s focus on Israel and its salvation, and its attention to 12:1–15:13 as integral to Paul’s argument. This book will work well to introduce undergraduate and seminary students to Paul’s letter to the Romans." —Mark Reasoner, Professor of Biblical Theology, Marian University

Bible Study Videos (Luke 5:1-11) at 2019 UMC Western PA Annual Conference

The following videos were created by the team of the WPAUMC. Thanks to them.

DAY 1 (6/6/2019)

  

DAY 2 (6/7/2019)

   

DAY 3 (6/8/2019)

  

At the 2019 UMC Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference

VIDEOS

My presentation this morning went well with almost 2000 attendees filling the house.

I talked about Luke 5:1-11 (June 6, 2019)

An honorable day

Today, at Virginia Union University commencement, I was honored to receive the Scott & Stringfellow Outstanding Professor Award. It comes with a monetary gift. This is a true blessing on my birthday. I thank my family, friends, students, colleagues, and others who have supported me tirelessly. In the last 14 years, I have tried my best and will continue to strive for excellence. Danny Glover spoke powerfully to the graduating class of 2019; he said something like this: “Resistance and sustainable activism are the ingredients of social change.” He is an award-winning actor, producer ("Color Purple" movie) and humanitarian. One other notable thing at this ceremony was one alum’s (Dr. Virginia Howerton, ‘65) donation of 2.5 million dollars to the university, the largest one-time gift from anyone in the history of Virginia Union University. Indeed, she made a lasting impact on many graduates who heard her speaking today.

New book: Reimagining the Body of Christ in Paul's Letters

This book questions all familiar readings of “the body of Christ” in Paul’s letters and helps readers rethink the context and the purpose of this phrase. Against the view that Paul’s body of Christ metaphor mainly has to do with a metaphorical organism that emphasizes unity, Kim argues that the body of Christ metaphor has more to do with the embodiment of God’s gospel through Christ. While Deutero-Pauline Letters and Pastoral Letters use this body metaphor mainly as an organism, Paul’s undisputed letters, in particular, 1 Corinthians and Romans, treat it differently with a focus on Christic embodiment. Reexamining the diverse use of “the body of Christ” in Paul’s undisputed letters, this book argues that Paul’s body of Christ metaphor has to do with the proclamation of God’s gospel.

“Concisely describing how ‘the body of Christ’ must be reimagined as ‘the Christic body,’ Kim’s argumentation has wide-reaching implications for those of us who fight for liberation and justice within church and society. Providing a launching point that will allow scholars and pastors to teach and model ‘soft-union’ in Christ while uplifting particularity in communion, Kim’s interpretation of Pauline theology and ethics will enliven conversations in the classroom and the church for years to come. —Angela Parker, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology

“Yung Suk Kim offers fresh insight into the heart of Paul’s theology: the body of Christ. Interestingly, Kim challenges the reader by reconstructing Christ’s body as a union in solidarity with those on the margins, especially in the hierarchical systems prevalent in the Roman imperial society and culture. No doubt, his theological reimagination can empower today’s Christians to resist unity without diversity in the so-called post-truth era of Trump. This little but powerful book thus holds onto hope for embodying Paul’s teaching in a more responsible manner.” —Sung Uk Lim, Assistant Professor of New Testament, College of Theology & United Graduate School of Theology, Yonsei University

"With illuminating analysis of key texts, Kim offers a concise and timely understanding of the body of Christ in Paul's letters that challenges hegemonic models and reminds us that care for the poor and pursuing justice for the weak of society are at the heart of the gospel and Christian living." —Timothy Milinovich, Associate Professor & Chair of Theology, Director of Catholic Studies, Dominican University

Human Transformation Begins ...

Human transformation begins with an attitude that "I am weak or limited." When I am weak, I see and feel the weakness of others. When I confess that "I am no one," God would say: "No, you are not unworthy." Through humility, I gain new energy or spirit from above. That is a moment of a spiritual birth from above (c.f., John 3:5-6). This new birth gives us a sense of "I am someone." 

If I am someone who shares the weakness of others, I can be one for others. I may find solidarity with them. I love them not because I am over them but because I feel the same weakness with them. 

I must acknowledge that the moment of "I am someone" is not perpetual. I still may hit hard roads and make mistakes. I may feel disappointed with myself. I have to accept what I am. In other words, I must admit that I am limited and deficient. I am that I am. I am not beyond what I am.