Reading Minjung Theology in the Twenty-First Century: Selected Writings by Ahn Byong-Mu and Modern Critical Responses

This edited volume brings Ahn Byung-Mu€s minjung theology into dialogue with twenty-first-century readers. Ahn Byung-Mu was one of the pioneers of Korean minjung theology. The centerpiece of his minjung theology is focused on the Greek word ochlos, understood as the divested, marginalized, powerless people.

Part 1 introduces readers to his life and theological legacy. Part 2 includes four important writings of Ahn Byung-Mu: €œJesus and Minjung in the Gospel of Mark,€ €œMinjung Theology in the Gospel of Mark,€ €œThe Transmitters of Jesus Event Tradition,€ and €œMinjok, Minjung, and Church.€ Part 3 contains a collection of articles from international scholars who evaluate and engage Ahn€s ochlos/minjung theology in their own fields and formulate critical readings of minjung theology. Responses include postcolonial, black theology, and feminist perspectives.

€œA fascinating collection exploring the roots and current relevance of Korean minjung (€˜crowd€ or €˜masses€) theology€ as expressed by one of its founders and most prolific exponents, Ahn Byung-Mu. The writers engage a wide range of social locations, revealing both changed circumstances since Ahn€s pioneering work, and the ongoing importance of his work in our globalized, dominating empire. A great conversation to enter for both those already familiar with this indigenous Korean form of liberation theology and those looking to expand their listening to include voices often silenced.€
€"Wes Howard-Brook, Seattle University

Yung Suk Kim is Assistant Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Theology at Virginia Union University. He is the author of Christ€s Body in Corinth (2008) and A Theological Introduction to Paul€s Letters (2011).

Jin-Ho Kim is Chief Researcher of The Christian Institute for the Third Era in Korea. He served as the minister of Hanbaik Church, established by Ahn Byung-Mu, and as the chief editor of Contemporary Criticism. Among his numerous publications, his Korean publications include Historiography of Jesus History: Jesus beyond Jesus (2000), Radical Liberalists: Unfamiliar Travels with the Fourth Gospel (2009), and Citizen K, On the Threshold of the Church (2012).