Sejong Chun, "Paul’s New Creation: Vision for a New World and Community" (Lexington Books, 2023)
Feb 23, 2025
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Sejong Chun, a pastor at New Creation Church in South Korea and a visiting professor at Yonsei University, dives into the transformative themes of his work on new creation in Paul's writings. He discusses the unique intercontextual reading shaped by the Korean American experience, particularly during the 1992 LA riots. Chun also highlights Paul's economic vision as a counter to the Roman Empire's exploitation, emphasizing community solidarity through the Jerusalem collection. It's a thought-provoking exploration of faith, identity, and resilience.
Sejong Chun's intercontextual readings of Paul's new creation highlight the transformative potential of scripture through the experiences of diverse communities.
The podcast discusses how the 1992 Los Angeles riots prompted introspection within the Korean American community, fostering interethnic dialogues and raising social awareness.
Deep dives
Intercontextual Reading in Biblical Studies
Intercontextual reading is a method that emphasizes understanding biblical texts within the specific contexts of readers, taking into account socioeconomic, geopolitical, and cultural influences. This approach posits that while texts possess inherent meaning potential, that potential is fully realized through the interactions and experiences of readers. By engaging in this type of reading, individuals can foster a dialogue between their realities and the biblical narrative, which ultimately can lead to personal transformation. This method encourages a deeper connection to scripture, allowing for a more nuanced interpretation that reflects the diverse backgrounds of contemporary faith communities.
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots and Their Impact on Korean Americans
The 1992 Los Angeles riots, sparked by a controversial verdict in the Rodney King case, marked a significant moment in American race relations, particularly affecting the Korean American community. Approximately 50% of the nearly 4,500 businesses destroyed during the riots were owned by Korean Americans, highlighting their vulnerability as middleman minorities in a society often fraught with racial tensions. This tragic event prompted a reevaluation of social dynamics and intercultural relationships, leading to greater awareness among Korean Americans of their societal position. Consequently, the riots catalyzed meaningful dialogues between Korean Americans and other ethnic groups, especially African Americans, aiming to bridge gaps and foster understanding.
Paul's Vision of New Creation
In his letters, Paul presents the concept of new creation as integral to understanding the Christian faith, particularly illustrated in Romans 8 and Galatians 6. In Romans, Paul uses the Greek term 'kethesis' to encapsulate a collective yearning for redemptive transformation among all beings, underscoring a shared experience of suffering and anticipation for salvation. Meanwhile, in Galatians, he emphasizes that societal divisions such as circumcision hold no importance in the new creation brought about by Christ, advocating for unity among believers regardless of background. This theme of new creation not only shapes Paul's theological framework but also reflects a call to embody an alternative community that operates counter to the prevailing structures of imperial power.
In Paul’s New Creation: Vision for a New World and Community (Lexington Book, 2023), Sejong Chun presents inter(con)textual readings of Paul’s new creation passages from the perspective of the Korean immigrant church in America. Chun focuses on Paul’s new creation’s cosmic dimension and ecclesiastical character and proposes the ekklēsia as a tangible embodiment. The author suggests that Paul, as a middleman, accomplishes the collective project of the Jerusalem collection with his Gentile churches to declare independence from the Jerusalem church authority and to demonstrate God’s alternative economy against the exploitative system of the Roman Empire.
Sejong Chun completed his PhD at Vanderbilt University. He currently serves as a visiting professor of the New Testament at Yonsei University as well as founder and senior pastor of New Creation Church in Daegu, South Korea.
Jonathon Lookadoo is Associate Professor at the Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary in Seoul, South Korea. While his interests range widely over the world of early Christianity, he is the author of books on the Epistle of Barnabas, Ignatius of Antioch, and the Shepherd of Hermas, including The Christology of Ignatius of Antioch (Cascade, 2023).