Korean resources for pastoral theology: Dance of Han, Jeong, and Salim

Abstract

[...]they ask if South Korean spirituality can transform modernism (p. 5). [...]the correlation of these three concepts with Trinitarian and feminist theologies, although well developed, is brought into conversation with pastoral theology only near the end of the book.

Book Details Poling, J. M., & Kim, H. S. (2012). Korean resources for pastoral theology: Dance of Han, Jeong, and Salim. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 127 pages, softcover, ISBN 978-1-60899-584-4

Synopsis and Evaluation

Poling and Kim, a faculty and student writing team from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, believe pastoral theologians should engage Asian churches as conversation partners "about the nature of care and healing in today's world" (p. 1). Their work has three major objectives. First, they examine the important contributions South Korean theology can make to pastoral theology in the United States. Second, they explore the contradictions of modernism in the religious context of South Korea. Finally, they ask if South Korean spirituality can transform modernism (p. 5).

They review the early history of Korea to help Western readers encounter the alterity of the Korean experience while setting the historical foundations for modern states. Next, the authors explore the modern history of Korea, beginning in the 19th Century, and including Donghak Nationalism, the arrival of the first Protestant missionaries, Japanese colonialism, the Korean War, military dictators, and the rapid transformation from a rural, agricultural economy to an urban, industrial economy. They also explore Minjung theology, a native Korean expression of theology that emerged in the 1970s as a faith-based response to political oppression.

The authors change gears in chapter three as they examine the religions of ancient Korea and the way in which these many religions coexist, even with a history of not coexisting peacefully. They begin with Shamanism, which according to the authors, "is the deepest layer of religion in Korea" (p. 34). Shamanism seeks to solve human problems by creating interactions between humans and spirits, including deities, heroes, and ancestors. They examine expressions of Buddhism, including the Taego-jong and Jogye-jong branches, as well as Taosim and Confucianism. The authors also engage new religious expressions, including the Chondogyo Tradition, the Jeungsan Tradition, Won Buddhism, North Korean Juche, the Unification Church, and Modernism as religion.

Poling and Kim argue that many Koreans do not confine themselves to religious tradition only; rather, they participate in rituals and activities from many different religious traditions. After mapping out this foundation, they argue "the distinctive mark of Korean spirituality could be the courage to face into internal contradictions while responding with compassion to the suffering and hope of all people" (p. 63).

After this historical framework, the authors engage the concepts of Han, Jeong, and Salim as three conversation points for a Korean and Western dialogue for pastoral theology. They introduce Han as a concept from M injung theology that expresses "an accumulation of suppressed and condensed experiences of oppression" (p. 30). They believe "han refers to the long-term, often intergenerational, effects of unrelieved trauma on persons, families, and communities" (p. 72). The authors argue that "Han is the deep sadness that comes when we feel the full impact of the ambiguities that make up our life" (p. 85). They argue that Han will help pastoral theologians understand the long-term impact of trauma inherited from previous generations and roots beings in time.

The concept of Jeong is more complex than its common translation of "love." The authors believe "jeong resists a simple English translation because it has many layers and richer meanings" (p. 74). This concept includes nurturing and caring interpersonal relationships as well as love and affection that "is rooted in relationality, inclusivity, mutuality, and interconnectedness" (p. 75). It captures the ambiguities of personal identity where people are shaped by both positive and negative relationships. They believe "Jeong is about acknowledging and honoring the relationships that have given us our being" for better or worse (p. 81). They argue that "Jeong helps us see this complexity as resource and challenge" (p. 93).

The final concept, salim, which an average Korean would define as "just women's work in house," refers to culturally devalued work, such as cooking, washing, and cleaning, with a deep sense of caring for others (p. 75). The authors argue that "a recovery of salim could show the important link between chores of everyday life and more lofty positions of public leadership" (p. 76) meaning life goes on because of the "mundane details of everyday life" (p. 86). The authors argue that "Salim can help Western caregivers see that the drive for abundant life, harmony, and peace comes through everyday events" (p. 93).

Although there is an inherent choppiness in this text as the two authors attempt to blend their ideas and write about themselves in the first person, the content is a rich conversion that accomplishes its purpose very well. One critique is the chapters do not always work as a whole. The development of han, jeong, and salim does not begin until the second half of the book. It would have been helpful if these concepts had been brought into conversation throughout the chapters on history and religion in Korea, instead of building upon them. Second, the correlation of these three concepts with Trinitarian and feminist theologies, although well developed, is brought into conversation with pastoral theology only near the end of the book. It would be wonderful if this section on pastoral theology could be expanded in future publications.

None of these critiques take away from the value of this book. For me, as an AngloAmerican theologian who married into a Korean family and has taught Korean students in theology, this book provides valuable new insights and richer theological understanding into the Korean world views and theological foundations of faith. In particular, the concept of salim is well developed and appears as a strong, potential conversation point for Anglo-American's everyday or ordinary theology and Latino/a theology's lo cotidiano. This volume is strongly recommended for clergy serving Korean and Korean-American populations, pastoral care, and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) students as well as theological faculty.

In the Author's Own Words

"South Korean Christians know something about living in relationships that are characterized by ambiguity and multiplicity. Han describes the interreligious reality of shared suffering and trauma that can lead to depression, suicide, murder, and revenge, or it can lead to solidarity and commitment to seek justice in community. Jeong describes the deep emotional bonding that occurs among humans when they live together and share common challenges. Jeong is 'sticky' because once persons are bonded by jeong, they belong to one another for good or evil. Salim is a concept that emphasizes everyday labor involved in fostering healthy and sustaining relationships in which we give and receive life with one another...We hope that salim, through the dance of han and jeong for love and justice, will bring healing and wholeness to our everyday lives" (p. 114).

Review's Details

The Reverend Jonathan Chad Roach ([email protected]) is the Library Administrator at St. Thomas University. He holds a Ph.D. in practical theology from St. Thomas University, a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University, and a Master of Divinity from Ecumenical Theological Seminary. He is ordained clergy in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and currently is working in the area of clergy burnout within a contextual theology of work.

To Cite this Review

Roach, J. C. (2013, Spring). [Review of the book Korean Resources for Pastoral Theology: Dance of Han, Jeong, and Salim, by J. M. Poling, & H. S. Kim]. Journal of Multidisciplinar^ Research, 5(1), 123-125.