Deconstructing the Marginalized Self: A Homiletical Theology of <i>Uri</i> for the Korean American Protestant Church in the Multicultural American Context

This study explores the transformative potential of the traditional Korean concept of <i>uri</i> (we) and the Confucian principle of <i>ren</i> (compassion and resistance), integrated with the biblical tradition of lament, as a theological framework for addressing the margina...

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Main Author: Jeremy Kangsan Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/249
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author Jeremy Kangsan Kim
author_facet Jeremy Kangsan Kim
author_sort Jeremy Kangsan Kim
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the transformative potential of the traditional Korean concept of <i>uri</i> (we) and the Confucian principle of <i>ren</i> (compassion and resistance), integrated with the biblical tradition of lament, as a theological framework for addressing the marginalization of contemporary Korean American Protestant churches and their members. Critiquing the limitations of current theological models focused on marginality, the article reimagines the Korean American self through the lens of <i>uri</i> and <i>ren</i>. This perspective enables compassion and resistance to deconstruct the notion of the marginalized self and reconstruct an authentic identity. The article proposes a pastoral–prophetic homiletical praxis that fosters solidarity among Korean American churches and empowers these churches to claim their prophetic voice within the multicultural American context. This approach has the potential to transform Korean American churches into a space for hope, communal restoration, and resistance amid socioecclesial challenges.
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spelling doaj-art-c8570daf41ab461daed712ff4fb22f392025-08-20T02:01:24ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-02-0116224910.3390/rel16020249Deconstructing the Marginalized Self: A Homiletical Theology of <i>Uri</i> for the Korean American Protestant Church in the Multicultural American ContextJeremy Kangsan Kim0Praise Presbyterian Church, Somerset, NJ 08873, USAThis study explores the transformative potential of the traditional Korean concept of <i>uri</i> (we) and the Confucian principle of <i>ren</i> (compassion and resistance), integrated with the biblical tradition of lament, as a theological framework for addressing the marginalization of contemporary Korean American Protestant churches and their members. Critiquing the limitations of current theological models focused on marginality, the article reimagines the Korean American self through the lens of <i>uri</i> and <i>ren</i>. This perspective enables compassion and resistance to deconstruct the notion of the marginalized self and reconstruct an authentic identity. The article proposes a pastoral–prophetic homiletical praxis that fosters solidarity among Korean American churches and empowers these churches to claim their prophetic voice within the multicultural American context. This approach has the potential to transform Korean American churches into a space for hope, communal restoration, and resistance amid socioecclesial challenges.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/249homiletical theology<i>Uri</i> (we)lamentKorean American Protestant churchcompassion and resistance
spellingShingle Jeremy Kangsan Kim
Deconstructing the Marginalized Self: A Homiletical Theology of <i>Uri</i> for the Korean American Protestant Church in the Multicultural American Context
Religions
homiletical theology
<i>Uri</i> (we)
lament
Korean American Protestant church
compassion and resistance
title Deconstructing the Marginalized Self: A Homiletical Theology of <i>Uri</i> for the Korean American Protestant Church in the Multicultural American Context
title_full Deconstructing the Marginalized Self: A Homiletical Theology of <i>Uri</i> for the Korean American Protestant Church in the Multicultural American Context
title_fullStr Deconstructing the Marginalized Self: A Homiletical Theology of <i>Uri</i> for the Korean American Protestant Church in the Multicultural American Context
title_full_unstemmed Deconstructing the Marginalized Self: A Homiletical Theology of <i>Uri</i> for the Korean American Protestant Church in the Multicultural American Context
title_short Deconstructing the Marginalized Self: A Homiletical Theology of <i>Uri</i> for the Korean American Protestant Church in the Multicultural American Context
title_sort deconstructing the marginalized self a homiletical theology of i uri i for the korean american protestant church in the multicultural american context
topic homiletical theology
<i>Uri</i> (we)
lament
Korean American Protestant church
compassion and resistance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/249
work_keys_str_mv AT jeremykangsankim deconstructingthemarginalizedselfahomileticaltheologyofiuriiforthekoreanamericanprotestantchurchinthemulticulturalamericancontext