Grace Ji-Sun Kim: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Faith
Oct 1, 2024
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Grace Ji-Sun Kim, a theologian and author, dives into the transformation of Jesus from olive-skinned to white in Christianity. She discusses the colonial implications of this shift and its harmful effects on racial identity. The conversation highlights the importance of using inclusive language for God and unpacking whiteness within faith communities. Kim also emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of systemic racism in religion and advocates for embracing a divine feminine perspective to foster a more just and compassionate faith.
Grace Ji-Sun Kim discusses how the social construct of whiteness privileges certain groups, urging Christianity to confront and dismantle these narratives.
The podcast emphasizes the need for non-gendered and inclusive metaphors to fully appreciate God's multifaceted identity, moving beyond traditional language.
Deep dives
Embracing Essential Oils and AI in Ministry
The hosts discuss their exploration of essential oils and how this interest has led to a new perspective on personal wellness and community building. They humorously share the experience of considering the use of AI tools like ChatGPT to assist with sermon preparation, highlighting its potential to save time and enhance creativity in their presentations. Additionally, they touch on how AI can even be used for fun activities, like generating raps about popular culture topics, making the concept of utilizing technology in spiritual practices feel approachable and engaging. This light-hearted yet insightful conversation reflects a growing interest in melding traditional ministry with modern tools.
Addressing Language Sensitivity in Discussions of Mental Health
The podcast hosts reflect on an important listener’s email regarding the language used when discussing mental health and suicide. They emphasize the need to be sensitive to the impact of words, particularly the terminology around suicide, advocating for the use of language that acknowledges the trauma surrounding such topics. The hosts advocate for a collective commitment to understanding the effects of language, encouraging listeners to embrace sensitivity and empathy towards the experiences of others. Additionally, they clarify the increasingly preferred terminology around this subject, illustrating respect for those affected by these sensitive issues.
Understanding Whiteness and Its Implications
The conversation shifts to a deeper examination of the concept of whiteness and its social implications, as discussed by Dr. Grace Ji Sun Kim. She describes whiteness as a social construct, noting how it privileges one group over others and how Christianity must confront and dismantle this construct. The discussion highlights the historical context that has allowed whiteness to dominate religious narratives, especially in relation to the image of Jesus portrayed throughout history. This perspective encourages listeners to critically analyze how racial constructs impact faith and community, challenging them to work towards a more inclusive understanding of spirituality.
Imagining a Non-Gendered and Non-White God
Dr. Kim introduces the idea of moving towards a non-gendered and non-white understanding of God, emphasizing the need to acknowledge the limitations of traditional gendered language used in scripture. She argues that while terms like 'Father' and 'Lord' have dominated religious discourse, they do not encompass the full breadth of God's identity. The conversation emphasizes that expanding our understanding of God requires embracing non-gendered metaphors and recognizing the role of these constructs in perpetuating systems of oppression. By doing so, individuals are invited to envision a more inclusive divine identity, fostering deeper relationships with others and enriching spiritual practices.
Professor Grace Ji-Sun Kim join us to talk about the historical origins and theological implications of how the olive-skinned Jesus "became white" and how the invisible, infinite God became a white male. In her book When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity, she outlines how the myth of the white male God has had a devastating effect as it enabled Christianity to have a profoundly colonialist posture across the globe.
Grace Ji-Sun Kim (PhD, University of Toronto) is professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana. She is the host of the Madang podcast and has published in TIME, Huffington Post, US Catholic, and The Nation. She is an ordained PC(USA) minister and enjoys being a guest preacher on most Sundays. Her many books include Invisible, Reimagining Spirit, and Healing Our Broken Humanity. She and her spouse, Perry, have three young adult children and live in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.