Preaching Jesus

Reviews / Votes

Offering a groundbreaking exploration of fresh theological insights and practical homiletical strategies, Preaching Jesus: Postcolonial Approaches encourages readers to reorient their understanding of Jesus in sermons and interpretations, thereby dismantling traditional colonial depictions of Jesus. * Homiletic * "In Preaching Jesus Eunjoo Mary Kim aims with the help of postcolonial theory to proffer "fresh theological meanings of the Christological event." Her profound work on a postcolonial Jesus in these pages envisions a dazzling, new homiletical event of meeting and dialogical transformation for a complex age of intersecting oppressions and hegemonies." -- David Schnasa Jacobsen, Bishops Scholar in Homiletics and Preaching, Boston University School of Theology Don't we all long for sermons that dismantle death-dealing logics and point us toward life? Eunjoo Mary Kim offers vital strategies that make this longing a reality. Preachers who seek to shake the old foundations and construct a new world will delight in this compelling book. -- Donyelle C. McCray, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Yale Divinity School "This highly accessible and illuminating book adroitly incorporates empire-critical interpretation of Gospel texts, fresh Christological insights, critical analysis of postcolonial conditions, and practical homiletic strategies. It represents an excellent addition to postcolonial approaches to homiletics, which challenges the legacy of white preaching and decolonizes the pulpit." -- Jin Young Choi, Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School "As practical theologians engage the deeper challenges of our age, engaging the tectonics of empire, colonialism, and capitalism can throw new light on the contributions of faith. Kim's proposal to "preach Jesus as an act of transforming the world" sets the stage, and her open invitation to produce more work along similar lines is most welcome." -- Joerg Rieger, Distinguished Professor of Theology, Vanderbilt University "Dr Kim gifts us an alternative lens with which to see Jesus - a postcolonial perspective that not only tells the truth about who Jesus is, but who we are as followers. As the 'offspring of a complex history,' preachers are invited to preach Jesus as a colonized person. Such preaching hopes to mend broken relationships that exist in the space between colonized and colonizers. By reinterpreting the radical grace found in Jesus Christ, this book speaks directly to our neo- and postcolonial world, and will lead to sermons that proclaim good news in relevant and creative ways." -- Sarah Travis, Associate Professor, Ewart Chair in the Practice of Ministry and Faith Formation, Knox College "This decolonizing feminist approach to Christology promises to be of signal importance for homiletics and pastoral theology. Kim's intersectionally rich book invites us to imagine Jesus beyond the constraints and distortions of traditional Western theology. Key postcolonial concepts-the conflicts and complicities of the hybrid self, the violence of nativist rhetoric, and more-are illuminated in these pages. Kim urges preachers to craft a dialogical space in which subversive truth-telling and solidarity can honor those whose experience has been commodified or disfigured by colonizing practices. This fresh reframing of homiletical theology will spur lively conversations in homiletics classrooms for years to come." -- Carolyn J. Sharp, Professor of Homiletics, Yale Divinity School Eunjoo Mary Kim's book stands as an eminent contribution to the fields of preaching theology and methodology, providing a postcolonial lens through which to explore Christology. This perspective serves as a supplement to the diverse portrayals of Christ found in the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John, and other New Testament Scriptures. Positioned within the rich context of literature on Postcolonial and Jesus-centered preaching, this invaluable study conducts a critical examination of past sermons on Christology within preaching arenas. Moreover, it meticulously scrutinizes current sermon discourses and presents insights for the future, introducing alternative and re-imagined approaches. -- Namjoong Kim, Associate Professor of the Practice of Ministry, Director of the Korean Doctoral Program, Claremont School of Theology "Preaching Jesus is a wonderful addition to the recent efforts that have been made to bring homiletics and postcolonial studies into conversation with each other. It delves into Christological themes from postcolonial perspectives where Jesus is featured as boundary-breaker, boundary-connector, and boundary-transcender. Readers are invited to celebrate the liturgical season of Lent, Easter, Advent, and Christmas, while exploring through preaching particular texts of the Gospels of John, Luke, and Matthew." -- Rev. HyeRan Kim-Cragg, Timothy Eaton Memorial Church Professor of Preaching, Emmanuel College "Kim invites readers into a transformative vision, where the story of Jesus is reimagined through a postcolonial lens, challenging traditional interpretations and fostering a global dialogue for healing and unity." -- Sunggu A. Yang, Associate Professor of Theology & Christian Ministries, Director of the Margaret Fell Scholars Program, George Fox University