Kim, Eunjoo Mary. Preaching the presence of God: a homiletic from an Asian American perspective. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1999

Shim, Sung T.

English

Scholars Commons

Consensus
Volume 26
Issue 1 The Baptismal Journey: Adventures on the
River of Life
Article 24
5-1-2000
Preaching the presence of God: a homiletic from an
Asian American perspective
Sung T. Shim
Follow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus
This Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by an
authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.
Recommended Citation
Shim, Sung T. (2000) "Preaching the presence of God: a homiletic from an Asian American perspective," Consensus: Vol. 26 : Iss. 1 ,
Article 24.
Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol26/iss1/24
Book Reviews 145
Observing Morrie’s upbeat manner in the face of death, listening to the
wisdom he generously shares, makes this a most engaging book. Tuesdays with
Morrie was lent to me by a parishioner, himself confined to a wheelchair and
without the ability to swallow or talk. As 1 began to read it 1 thought, “1 can
understand why this book appeals to him.” By the third chapter 1 had forgotten
my parishioner and was reading for myself. 1 read it in one sitting. Then 1 re-read
it the next day.
Nor is this a “Christian” book. Morrie was a Jew who embraced atheism at
an early age. Yet it is deeply spiritual, right at home with the teachings of the
church. For example, Morrie has learned that material things don’t satisfy.
Rather, satisfaction comes from “offering others what you have to give”. Morrie
illustrates this with what might pass as a modern paraphrase ofJesus’ cup of cold
water: playing cards with a lonely old man. It’s that simple.
This is an ideal book for those working with the terminally ill or permanently
shut-in, for those wrestling with their own mortality, or simply for those of us who
are searching for a refreshing alternative to our bankrupt modern culture’s
offerings. The layout of the book with its teacher-student paradigm, makes it an
ideal study book for a college and careers group.
Dennis Becker
Faith Lutheran Church,
Oshawa, Ontario
Preaching The Presence of God: A Homiletic From An Asian
American Perspective
Eunjoo Mary Kim
Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1999
$24.95 Softcover
As an ethnic minister (Korean) who works in an English speaking
congregation (White), 1 always wonder about whether or not there is a necessity
for a specific sermon style for a particular context. The book. Preaching the
Presence ofGod, focusses on the Asian American context, was enough to interest
me. Historical and cultural background play an important role in making modern
identity, especially in an Asian-American (Chinese, Korean and Japanese)
context. The traditional religions. Buddhism, Confucianism, and their own
indigenous religions such as Shamanism, Shintoism, etc., could be their
religious background. However, how much and still they have influenced Asian
American life, especially in their Christian belief, is a controversial issue. Before
reading the book, 1 wanted to get information about the real context of Asian
Americans with a specific report, such as a result of a survey or a demographic
146 Consensus
data. Today’s society is characterized as rapidly changing, pluralistic and
multicultural. 1 believe that today’s Asian American context is much different
from the actual environments of these three countries in the Far East.
The book gives excellent information to those who want to know about Asian
American context, especially for those who want to serve immigrant churches. As
the book stresses, the context of the Asian American church is different from the
mainline church. The book explains why and what is different (religious and
cultural background), and suggests howto approach the Asian American church
in a sermon (methodolgy). Spiritual preaching and the “Spiral-Form” sermon are
recommended as the most effective and efficient method of preaching for the
Asian-American church. Unfortunately, there is a lack of theoretical development
and detailed examples of the form and style in sermon in the book.
In my experience, both in the Korean-Canadian Church and White-English
speaking congregations, there is a lot of differences and similarities. As the book
points out, cultural and traditional background are crucial in understanding the
Asian American church. However, the context cannot be the centre in the
preparation of sermon. The Word of God has the power of transformation.
Moreover, the church is not an organization, she is an organism which grows,
adapts, adjusts and changes the context. Although a specific context can be a
beginning point for a sermon, it is not the dwelling place. 1 believe that Chinese,
Korean and Japanese Christians have their own characteristics and unique
cultures and historical backgrounds different from those of Buddhism,
Confucianism or indigenous religions. The culture of Asian American Christians
would be closer to Western Christianity than other religions. That is how 1 can
survive in a foreign context. Preaching the Presence of God is a good
introductory book for getting to know the Asian American context with a lot of
bibliographic materials.
Sung T. Shim
Alliston, Ontario
Preacher and Cross: Person and Message in Theology and Rhetoric
Andre Resner, Jr.
Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishers, 1999
205 pages, $28.99 Softcover
Let’s have a debate. Is successful preaching dependent more upon the
preacher’s character or the sermon’s content? What makes a sermon more
persuasive: the messenger of the Gospel or the message of the Gospel? Resner
deserves credit for reopening an old debate in homiletics - should preachers
learn more from rhetoric or theology in order to preach better? As with most


Preaching the presence of God: a homiletic from an Asian American perspective

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 26Issue 1 The Baptismal Journey: Adventures on theRiver of LifeArticle 245-1-2000Preaching the presence of God: a homiletic from anAsian American perspectiveSung T. ShimFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationShim, Sung T. (2000) "Preaching the presence of God: a homiletic from an Asian American perspective," Consensus: Vol. 26 : Iss. 1 ,Article 24.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol26/iss1/24Book Reviews 145Observing Morrie’s upbeat manner in the face of death, listening to thewisdom he generously shares, makes this a most engaging book. Tuesdays withMorrie was lent to me by a parishioner, himself confined to a wheelchair andwithout the ability to swallow or talk. As 1 began to read it 1 thought, “1 canunderstand why this book appeals to him.” By the third chapter 1 had forgottenmy parishioner and was reading for myself. 1 read it in one sitting. Then 1 re-readit the next day.Nor is this a “Christian” book. Morrie was a Jew who embraced atheism atan early age. Yet it is deeply spiritual, right at home with the teachings of thechurch. For example, Morrie has learned that material things don’t satisfy.Rather, satisfaction comes from “offering others what you have to give”. Morrieillustrates this with what might pass as a modern paraphrase ofJesus’ cup of coldwater: playing cards with a lonely old man. It’s that simple.This is an ideal book for those working with the terminally ill or permanentlyshut-in, for those wrestling with their own mortality, or simply for those of us whoare searching for a refreshing alternative to our bankrupt modern culture’sofferings. The layout of the book with its teacher-student paradigm, makes it anideal study book for a college and careers group.Dennis BeckerFaith Lutheran Church,Oshawa, OntarioPreaching The Presence of God: A Homiletic From An AsianAmerican PerspectiveEunjoo Mary KimValley Forge: Judson Press, 1999$24.95 SoftcoverAs an ethnic minister (Korean) who works in an English speakingcongregation (White), 1 always wonder about whether or not there is a necessityfor a specific sermon style for a particular context. The book. Preaching thePresence ofGod, focusses on the Asian American context, was enough to interestme. Historical and cultural background play an important role in making modernidentity, especially in an Asian-American (Chinese, Korean and Japanese)context. The traditional religions. Buddhism, Confucianism, and their ownindigenous religions such as Shamanism, Shintoism, etc., could be theirreligious background. However, how much and still they have influenced AsianAmerican life, especially in their Christian belief, is a controversial issue. Beforereading the book, 1 wanted to get information about the real context of AsianAmericans with a specific report, such as a result of a survey or a demographic146 Consensusdata. Today’s society is characterized as rapidly changing, pluralistic andmulticultural. 1 believe that today’s Asian American context is much differentfrom the actual environments of these three countries in the Far East.The book gives excellent information to those who want to know about AsianAmerican context, especially for those who want to serve immigrant churches. Asthe book stresses, the context of the Asian American church is different from themainline church. The book explains why and what is different (religious andcultural background), and suggests howto approach the Asian American churchin a sermon (methodolgy). Spiritual preaching and the “Spiral-Form” sermon arerecommended as the most effective and efficient method of preaching for theAsian-American church. Unfortunately, there is a lack of theoretical developmentand detailed examples of the form and style in sermon in the book.In my experience, both in the Korean-Canadian Church and White-Englishspeaking congregations, there is a lot of differences and similarities. As the bookpoints out, cultural and traditional background are crucial in understanding theAsian American church. However, the context cannot be the centre in thepreparation of sermon. The Word of God has the power of transformation.Moreover, the church is not an organization, she is an organism which grows,adapts, adjusts and changes the context. Although a specific context can be abeginning point for a sermon, it is not the dwelling place. 1 believe that Chinese,Korean and Japanese Christians have their own characteristics and uniquecultures and historical backgrounds different from those of Buddhism,Confucianism or indigenous religions. The culture of Asian American Christianswould be closer to Western Christianity than other religions. That is how 1 cansurvive in a foreign context. Preaching the Presence of God is a goodintroductory book for getting to know the Asian American context with a lot ofbibliographic materials.Sung T. ShimAlliston, OntarioPreacher and Cross: Person and Message in Theology and RhetoricAndre Resner, Jr.Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishers, 1999205 pages, $28.99 SoftcoverLet’s have a debate. Is successful preaching dependent more upon thepreacher’s character or the sermon’s content? What makes a sermon morepersuasive: the messenger of the Gospel or the message of the Gospel? Resnerdeserves credit for reopening an old debate in homiletics - should preacherslearn more from rhetoric or theology in order to preach better? As with most

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