In "Surviving God," Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Susan Shaw explore the intersection of faith, trauma, and feminist theology. The book examines how religious institutions and beliefs can both cause and perpetuate trauma, particularly for women. Kim and Shaw offer a critical analysis of patriarchal structures within religious contexts and propose alternative ways of understanding God and spirituality that are more inclusive and empowering. Their work provides a space for healing and reconciliation for those who have experienced religious trauma. It encourages readers to confront their own biases and work towards a more just and equitable world.
Grace Ji-Sun Kim's "When God Became White" explores the complex relationship between Christianity, race, and power. Kim argues that the racialization of God has had a profound impact on the way Christianity has been understood and practiced throughout history. The book examines how white supremacy has shaped theological interpretations and social structures within the church. Kim's work offers a powerful critique of white privilege and calls for a more inclusive and anti-racist theology. It encourages readers to confront their own biases and work towards a more just and equitable church.
Grace Ji-Sun Kim joined me at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Durham for a fantastic live Pentecost Podcast, and let me tell you, the Spirit was moving! Grace had just preached at Duke's chapel that morning (complete with a birth story analogy that had people talking), and we dove deep into the connections between creation's hovering spirit and the fire that made us human as a species. We explored how every culture has words for spirit that sound like breath and why starting theology with the Spirit instead of Christology might just revolutionize how we do church. Grace's latest book "When God Became White" sparked some serious conversation about how our imagery of God shapes everything from patriarchy to racism, and why the church desperately needs to reckon with these colonial legacies. Plus, I may have gotten a little too fired up connecting Pentecost to evolutionary biology and the role of fire in human development - but hey, that's what happens when you put theologians in a room together. If you want more conversations like this, come join us at Theology Beer Camp 2025 in Minnesota.
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Grace Ji-Sun Kim is a professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion and host of the Madang podcast.
Previous Episodes with Grace
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
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Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
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Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
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