This paper argues for the possibility to reclaim freedom and effect positive change in an ethical manner even in situations where one “can’t complain.” Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s “Can the Subaltern Speak?” demonstrates the necessity of not… Read More ›
(B) Article
From Collective Trauma to Collective Trust: A Korean American Reading of Psalm 60 during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Collective Trauma from Recent History to the Current Tragedy Protesters in the streets, rows of coffins, and wailing people—these are a few of the vivid images I recall from a video I secretly watched when I was little, less than… Read More ›
Finally Belonging: The Reception of the Parable of the Prodigal Son Among Asian Americans
Introduction This article examines the reception of Jesus’ Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32) among Asian American readers. First, we will discuss the dynamics of the parable that show similarity with Asian values, particularly (1) honor and shame and… Read More ›
Honor and Shame in Sirach
Introduction Ben Sira was a wisdom teacher in Jerusalem in the late third century through the early second century B.C.E., and Sirach, the collection of his teachings, was composed sometime between 190 and 175 B.C.E.[1] As a member of those… Read More ›
Violence, Suffering, and solidarity: A Fanonian Reading of Jeremiah 11:18–12:6
Introduction Jeremiah 11:18–12:6 is regarded as the first of Jeremiah’s confessions, which are spread throughout Jeremiah 11–20.[1] In this text, Jeremiah laments his suffering, which is caused by the people of Anathoth in response to his prophecy. This text describes… Read More ›
Tongues and Community Building in Corinth (1 Corinthians 12-14)
Introduction A study of the frequency of the phrase “speaking in tongues” in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians suggests that the phenomenon was significant in the Corinthian churches. The New Testament (NT) has thirty-five references to “speaking in tongues.”… Read More ›
Everything They Owned Was Held in Common
Everything They Owned Was Held in Common The Gospel of Luke provides a view on wealth that is unique in the Synoptics through a description of the practices of Jesus and his disciples, and extended teachings on wealth that are… Read More ›
A Deconstructive Reading of Luke 15: 8‒10
Introduction When I was a young girl, I often lost treasures precious to me, such as beads or small pebbles. I was so eager to find them that sometimes I even searched in a closet for them; despite my fear… Read More ›
Women, Ethnicity, and Asian Modernity: Ruth in Hong Kong?
Introduction For almost a half-year, I lived in Hong Kong off a road that was lined with prostitutes each night. Three things always shocked me as I would walk home on my street: 1) There seemed to be more and… Read More ›
Saul, David, and Mimetic Desire: A Girardian Reading of 1 Samuel 18-19
Note: This essay is a revised version of the presentation I delivered during the Colloquium on Violence and Religion held in Saint Louis University on July 8th-12th, 2015. This essay aims at scrutinizing the interpersonal relationship between Saul and David in… Read More ›