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YungSuk Kim

Goodreads Author

Born

Korea, Republic of

Website

https://drkimys.blogspot.com/

Genre

Religion, Spirituality

Member Since

May 2016

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/yungsukkim

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Yung Suk Kim, M.Div. (McCormick), Ph.D. (Vanderbilt), is Full Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Virginia Union University. He has authored nearly twenty books, including How to Read the Gospels (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024), Monotheism, Biblical Traditions, and Race Relations (Cambridge University Press, 2022), How to Read Paul (Fortress, 2021), Toward Decentering the New Testament (Cascade, 2018, co-authored with Mitzi J. Smith), and Christ’s Body in Corinth (Fortress, 2008). He has also edited four volumes, including At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics and Paul's Gospel, Empire, Race, and Ethnicity. The forthcoming book's title is Justice and Parables (T&T Clark, 2026, forthcoming). Kim's research interest ...more

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What’s the best thing about being a writer?

YungSuk Kim By writing I expect to communicate with potential readers in a global village. More than that, I also focus on myself as a human being when I write. W…moreBy writing I expect to communicate with potential readers in a global village. More than that, I also focus on myself as a human being when I write. Writing is more than self product and it engages the world and people.(less)

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

YungSuk Kim I think I am a prolific writer. Thus far for the past 10 years I have produced more than a dozen books. Some people say that I am a writing machine. B…moreI think I am a prolific writer. Thus far for the past 10 years I have produced more than a dozen books. Some people say that I am a writing machine. But let me be clear that I don't write things overnight and submit them for publication. Most of my writings are done over time and revised hundred times. Because people do not know the whole process or habit of my writing, they tend to think that I write fast and easy, as if I were a writing machine. That is misunderstanding. Today when I was exercising at a gym as I used to, I thought about my prolific writing habit and know-hows. There are three key elements for a possible prolific writing: 1) distinctive ideas; 2) investment of time and its wise management; and 3) the healthy body and spirit (physical and spiritual).

First, unique or distinctive ideas about the book are most important. There are already tons of books in the market. So I ask: Why do you waste your time if there are similar books already in the market that you are going to write. Check yourself and find where you are insterested and how your idea makes a difference as compared with others. Of course, idea making does not happen in one day or overnight. Day and night, ask yourself about everything that you read and see. Also, ask why you want to write and whom you want to impact on. Often I resist familiar readings and struggle with new ways of reading. Maintain a habit of note-taking and visit your notes often and revise them. All this means you need to maintain a pool of ideas.

Second, even though you have good ideas about a new book, you cannot produce anything without setting aside time to study and reflect. I mean you have to give yourself to where your passion is. Day and night, in big or small time, you will need to have constant brainstorming for your topic. Time management is also important. For me study does not happen only in a study room or library; I often enjoy thinking and planning to write in a coffee shop or in a local park where I often walk and think. In a sense, nature is my library and classroom. Even in a sleeping bed, or in the middle of night or early morning I wake up with new ideas or better plan for writing. I often write in my head when I go to bed. Sometimes I wake up by new ideas about the book or clear thoughts about something in a book and take notes on papers.

Third, even though you have unique ideas and perfect time for writing, you cannot produce anything without your health. You need to maintain your body and spirit in perfect condition. Physical exercise is basic. Eat properly and exercise regularly. Meditate on your life and time. Simple life styel will help. Our body does not last forever.

As you see above, the above three elements are gifts of God. You cannot take boast about them. Ideas are given by God in some sense, because you don't own anything in your life. You are not the owner of your life, and therefore everything good about yourself is not yours. We say that is the grace of God, which is everything in your life. Think about good ideas about the book, your time, and your body and spirit. All these are not yours. You cannot create time and body. You can use them judiciously. That is your responsibility. In the end I want to say that writing is a vocation and mission for me. That is why I put all I have into my writing, thanking God for what I received from him. That is it.(less)

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YungSuk Kim’s books

Average rating: 4.11 · 111 ratings · 14 reviews · 65 distinct works

	Biblical Interpretation: Theory, Process, and Criteria really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2013 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Christ's Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor 3.88 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2008 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Truth, Testimony, and Transformation: A New Reading of the "I Am" Sayings of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel 4.50 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 2014 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Reading Minjung Theology in the Twenty-First Century: Selected Writings by Ahn Byung-Mu and Modern Critical Responses by YungSuk Kim (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Jin-Ho Kim (Editor) 4.17 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 2013 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Transformative Reading of the Bible: Explorations of Holistic Human Transformation it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	How to Read Paul: A Brief Introduction to His Theology, Writings, and World 3.75 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Messiah in Weakness: A Portrait of Jesus from the Perspective of the Dispossessed liked it 3.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tao Te Ching: A New English Translation 3.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Theological Introduction to Paul's Letters: Exploring a Threefold Theology of Paul it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	RESURRECTING JESUS: The Renewal of New Testament Theology liked it 3.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2015 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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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.

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YungSuk Kim wrote a new blog post 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 co Read more of this blog post »
Nov 21, 2025 04:25AM · like
YungSuk Kim made a comment on Because we know so much " Whitaker wrote: "Hello 👋 Great cover. Is this a new book?" No, it is just a poster. ...more "
Jun 24, 2025 08:28PM · see blog post
YungSuk Kim recommended Sacred Tension: Embracing Dissonance and Dialogue in the Old Testament to Yonghan Chung Sacred Tension: Embracing Dissonance and Dialogue in the Old Testament by William P. Brown	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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YungSuk Kim rated a book it was amazing Sacred Tension: Embracing Dissonance and Dialogue in the Old Testament by William P. Brown	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This well-written book offers fundamental yet crucial insights and interpretations of the Old Testament. It covers critical topics such as the creation story, the nature of God, and theodicy. Brown argues that Scripture should be read dialogically, r ...more
May 19, 2025 05:41PM · 1 like · like · see review
YungSuk Kim rated a book it was amazing Rooted in Love, Resilient in Mind: A Journey into Healing by YungSuk Kim (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is my book. I wish you could discover more here.
Apr 07, 2025 06:50AM · like · see review
YungSuk Kim made a comment on Zachary’s review of Oneself as Another " Thanks for this review. It's very helpful. ...more "
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YungSuk Kim liked Zachary's review of Oneself as Another: "Who am I? What am I? How should we understand selfhood? These are all questions Paul Ricoeur seeks to answer in Oneself as Another, which is in many ways a sequel to Time and Narrative. In his exploration of selfhood, Ricoeur places his account betwe" Read more of this review »
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YungSuk Kim has read How to Read the Gospels: An Introduction by YungSuk Kim (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Quotes by YungSuk Kim (?)

“Truth is more than trustable knowledge; it is deeply experiential, confessional, and contextual. It should be engaged in a community that he or she lives, embodied in a world beyond the immediate community, and testified at all costs because of the love of God for all. Truth is not possessive, but requires a life that engages the way, the truth and the life as we get clues from John 14:6.”
-- Yung Suk Kim, Truth, Testimony, and Transformation: A New Reading of the "I am" Sayings in the Fourth Gospel (Cascade Books, 2013 forthcoming)”
― Yung Suk Kim

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message 1: by YungSuk

Mar 31, 2021 07:43AM

My new book: How to Read Paul.
This book is ideal for the classroom, pastor study, and advanced adult bible study since it comes with a user-friendly format of 2 introductory chapters (on Paul and his writings) and 7 key themes with questions for reflection (Gospel, Righteousness/Justification, Faithfulness, Freedom, New Life/New Creation, the Body of Christ, and the Holy Spirit). Professors may adopt this book as a text for their teaching or use it for a special seminar on Paul, and pastors may preach Pauline themes in a series of seven sermons. Teachers may use this book for the preparation of their bible study. Learned laity may engage with this book for their deeper understanding of Paul.

I made a sample syllabus for my new book. You may tune it to your purpose, for course teaching or leading Bible Study, or preparing sermons. Enjoy this. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NCQO...

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