Living Like Kierkegaard: November 2024 (2025)

2024, November has been a month rich with experiences, divine appointments, and cherished connections. Amidst the whirlwind of activities, one theme stood out: the blessing of relationships and the joy of connecting with people who have deeply enriched our lives. We began the month by publishing "Livi...

November has been a month rich with experiences, divine appointments, and cherished connections. Amidst the whirlwind of activities, one theme stood out: the blessing of relationships and the joy of connecting with people who have deeply enriched our lives.We began the month by publishing "Living Like Kierkegaard: October 2024," capturing testimonies of God’s work in our lives. The gratitude deepened with Prof. Koh's generous donation of Søren Kierkegaard’s Danish books, a gift that will bless many through our research. Our visits to meaningful spaces like Balsan Coffee and the vibrant Friday Night Service at Joyful Church in Ilsan highlighted the warmth of fellowship and the depth of faith shared with passionate believers. At Joyful Church, we prayed for over 500 young people and leaders, a humbling and inspiring experience that reminded us of the power of God’s presence.Unexpected but cherished moments continued, including a trip to Busan, where we connected with Pastor Ga and witnessed his incredible "Water Full Valley Mission" ministry among the marginalized. His faith in action and humility deeply inspired us, further affirming the beauty of living out God’s love. Sharing meals and heartfelt conversations with him and others like Pastor William added a richness to our journey, reminding us of the importance of obedience to God’s calling.Our first visit to Costco in Sejong was both practical and awe-inspiring, a fun reflection of cultural adaptation and the purchasing power of the Korean population. At Solomon’s Porch Korea, we ministered together as Jenny led prayer for inner healing, and I preached the Word, grateful to be part of such a welcoming and supportive community. Their generosity replenished us financially and spiritually, further showing God’s provision in our lives.The highlight of the month was undoubtedly the moments spent with loved ones. Hosting Jenny’s best friend, Hannah, for several weeks brought warmth and new routines into our home. Her influence, from daily walks to spiritual practices, reminded us of the beauty of friendship and intentional living. Bidding her farewell was bittersweet, but we look forward to reuniting soon.We also enjoyed a surprise retreat at Konjiam Resort, courtesy of Pastors Tim and Jina, where the breathtaking autumn scenery and reflective moments in nature brought peace to our hearts. Sharing life with others, whether through the Soren Kierkegaard Young Adults meeting, the Immortal Song concert, or our time with missionaries and church leaders, made us treasure the relationships God has blessed us with.As the month closes, we reflect on how these connections have not only refreshed us but have also inspired us to live more intentionally, embracing the opportunities God provides. November has been a reminder of the profound joy found in fellowship and the importance of cherishing those we love and serve. Thank You, Lord, for guiding us through this fruitful and relationally rich month.

Living Like Kierkegaard: March 2024

Living Like Kierkegaard: March 2024, 2024

March 2024 Diary Summary As the dawn of March 2024 heralds the march of days, this diary becomes a repository for the convergence of solemn reflection and spirited action, chronicling the tapestry of experiences woven through the threads of faith, fellowship, and intellectual pursuit. The journey begins with a shared endeavor of spiritual cleansing—a 21-day media and dinner fast with Jenny, an annual ritual now enriched by companionship. This is an act not of denial but of liberation, stepping back from the digital cacophony to embrace the abundance found in stillness and simplicity. This month also witnesses the proliferation of thought in print, with books bearing the weight of philosophical discourse and biblical scholarship reaching completion. The publication of these works is not just an academic milestone; it is a beacon that lights up the intellectual sky of the Korean diaspora and beyond, particularly in regions where such treasures of commentary remain scarce. Each book becomes a vessel of enlightenment, navigating through the tides of 255 million Academia.edu subscribers, bridging gaps, and sowing seeds of wisdom in fertile minds. In the warm embrace of GBS Internet Radio, "Book Talk" finds its rhythm, resounding across the waves to touch Korean hearts scattered across the globe, uniting them in learning and in heritage, reinforcing the threads that bind the diaspora in a tapestry of shared faith and identity. The daily narratives unfold as vignettes—each entry a snapshot capturing the vibrancy of ministry life. From the laughter of children in slum outreach programs to the tranquil retreats in Kep, each moment is an inflection point where lives intersect, where teaching and serving become acts of worship and where the presence of God is as palpable as the Cambodian sun.

Works of Love Conference 2024

Works of Love Conference 2024, 2024

The first Søren Kierkegaard Conference was nothing short of a miraculous event for all of us involved. It brought together scholars, translators, and enthusiasts in a harmonious assembly to celebrate and delve into the profound teachings of Kierkegaard. This conference represented not only the culmination of countless hours of dedicated work but also the embodiment of our collective passion for Kierkegaard's philosophy. Three translators, with their labor of love, spent innumerable hours meticulously translating Kierkegaard's works, ensuring that his ideas were accessible and accurately conveyed to a Korean audience. Their dedication and scholarly rigor provided the foundation upon which this conference was built. Although the conference was conducted in Korean, our desire to share these insights with the broader international community motivated us to translate the proceedings into English. We believe that Kierkegaardians around the world can benefit from our research and gain new perspectives from the Korean context. This collection includes keynote addresses, lectures, and discussions that encapsulate the essence of the conference. Additionally, it features congratulatory speeches from esteemed scholars and dignitaries, including Professor Hwang Junghwan and Ambassador Sven Olling, whose presence and words lent great prestige to our event. We have also included pre-event and post-event newspaper articles, which reflect the significant interest and impact of the conference within the academic and religious communities. 5 Moreover, flyers and a photo collection are provided to give a comprehensive view of the event's atmosphere and its memorable moments. It is our sincere hope that this translated compilation will serve as a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts of Kierkegaard worldwide. May it inspire further research, dialogue, and collaboration among international Kierkegaardians, fostering a deeper understanding of his philosophy in diverse cultural contexts. We express our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to making this conference a reality and to those who will continue to engage with Kierkegaard's work through this publication. Sincerely His, Robert Oh Director, Korea Kierkegaard Research Center

Preach In Season and Out of Season: A Tribute to Paul and Kay Watson

2016

I t has been a long day already, and Timothy is in low spirits. The work is not going well. The congregation is not what it used to be, and problems seem to mount at every turn. Unhealthy doctrine infects many church members, threatening unity and mission. Church attendance is down, and those who are showing up have their own agendas. They do not come to worship or serve; they turn up to be served. The joy has been sucked out of the community's life. Some in the church-namely, Hymenaeus and Philetus-have been stirring up trouble, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already taken place. Where do they come up with this heresy? Timothy is weary of countering these false doctrines. And despite his efforts, confusion still seems to reign. The newer converts to Christ do not know which voices to trust. Members do not seem to care as much about what he has to say. The pressure of ministry weighs heavily on him as the community muddles along. The season is a bad one, indeed. Timothy's furrowed face reveals that the stress has taken a toll. He senses that he is losing his authoritative voice in the community. With a deep sigh, Timothy opens the newspaper on his desk to the Help Wanted section. He wonders whether it may be time for a career change-it's not the first time he has considered the option. Unfortunately, the ad postings remind Timothy that he is not trained for many of the available jobs. His work history and skill set are narrow. There seems to be nowhere to go, no way to avoid the cyclical storms he finds himself constantly trying to weather. Timothy buries his head in his hands. Hot tears begin to drip onto his desk. His stomach is tight, his breathing shallow; he feels like a failure in so many ways. Thoughts of his mentor, Paul, come to his mind. He cannot help but feel that he has let Paul down. Paul, in prison now, unable to experience the freedom Timothy has, would know what to do in times like this. Yet Paul is actually in prison, while Timothy just feels imprisoned. The guilt causes more tears. Timothy's thoughts flow back to his congregation. Karen has discovered her husband's affair; he is about to leave her and the kids. How, Timothy wonders, will she make it? Jason has lost his job. With six mouths to feed and no appreciable skills, he is in a dire situation. He has asked, "Can the church help float us for a few months?" Timothy knows that the church financials do not look good. How will they manage to help Jason and his family? Then there's the Wilson family, who have recently suffered more loss than Timothy wants to imagine. They lost a child in a tragic accident and a grandparent to pancreatic cancer, and now the mother has been diagnosed with a serious chronic illness. Every Sunday when they come into church, it feels like the shadow of death is cast over them. The sting of death is written on their faces. Timothy also thinks about Brian, who has been coming into his office every few days to talk. Nothing in Brian's life appears to be wrong, but he is experiencing darkness; he is living in winter for no visible reason. "I don't know why," he recently told Timothy, "but I'm just sad all the time. All I want to do is sleep. My family doesn't cheer me up. My work doesn't cheer me up. I can't pray.. .. I'm just so sad."

Grace Korean Church, Fullerton, California: Mission from the Margins

International Bulletin of Mission Research, 2012

For the sake of the call- in pursuit of building Beloved community…--By Seth Naicker---1

the blessed provocations of Mercy Amba Odudoye, Howard Thurman, Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Karen McKinney, Steve Biko and Mary-Anne Plaatjies-van Huffel"For the sake of the call: in pursuit of building Beloved community." - by Seth Naicker In this reflection, I am drawing on the voices of theologians and practitioners who have impacted my thinking and practise. The following message is from our late and beloved mentor Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Plaatjies: “Still hospitalized from 9 April- the Dr have purchased medicine from Overseas- seeing that I am resistant to antibiotics and the medicine is not registered as scheduled A that they are currently using on me. May the Lord bless the medicine. Ms Plaatjies Van Huffel.” May 1, 2020. This was the last message I got from Ma Plaatjies before she passed on the 19th of May, 2020. However earlier on, Ma Plaatjies joined in with us as we responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa's call for a national day of prayer. I requested Ma Plaatjies to write a prayer and from her hospital bed she sent the following on the 26th of March, 2020: “Prof. Mary Anne Plaatjies, lecturer, University Stellenbosch, former moderator of URCSA, President of the Word Council of Churches. Compassionate Lord, You suffered and died for us; You understand suffering. Compassionate God, give us faith to seek you in times of trouble. O Lord, we come to you in this time of global crisis to ask for your protection against the pandemic that has affected thousands of people worldwide. We pray for the sick to be healed, the anxious to be calmed and that the disease itself be contained. God of compassion, we claim your promises in your Word as we pray for those who are ill or are suffering loss and long for your healing touching in our congregation, community, South Africa, Africa, the World. We pray for our political leaders who are responsible for decisions about fighting the virus. Learn us to adhere to these regulations issued by the government. Father, we seek your wisdom daily. Hear our prayer. God you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present even during the time of lock down. With you we shall overcome . Amen.” We read Ma Plaatjies’ prayer in our online service that we conducted during covid19 while Merrishia and I were co-pastoring at Via Christi URCSA in Lenasia. Ma Plaatjies was supportive of Merrishia and I and our team ministry. It was Rev. Dr. Mary-Anne Plaatjies- van Huffel who guided and urged us on toward the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa, she believed we could find our home and be of service to God and people in and through the URCSA. Prof. Plaatjies- van Huffel was excited for us and the call that we received to serve at Via Christi Community Church that was formerly served by Rev. Dr. Gerrie Lubbe, a close friend of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and also a friend and mentor to Merrishia and I. It was our great honor to know Prof. Plaatjies aka Ma Plaatjies who we cherished as a friend and a beloved coworker for Jesus Christ. It was a God inspired moment to have her compose a prayer which I believe was her last published words. From her hospital bed she shared a prayer for our Country, our Africa and our World- from her hospital bed she was aware of God working in and through us to serve, love and bear witness for the pursuit of building Beloved Community. This paper draws in the blessed provocations of Mercy Amba Odudoye, Howard Thurman, Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Karen McKinney, Steve Biko and Mary-Anne Plaatjies-van Huffel: • a neighborliness spirituality of care and respect, from Oduduye, • being rocked to our foundations, from Thurman • joining with the marginalized, from DeYoung • emancipatory bias, from McKinney • we are people and not just appendages (a thing added) to white society, from Biko • a correlation between liturgy (lex orandi), theology (lex credendi) and life (lex vivendi), from Plaatjies-van Huffel. Seth Naicker sethnaicker@gmail.com 0027 79 482 7445

2011 Ellen White and Current Issues Symposium: Devotional (Summary of a Devotional by Dwight K. Nelson)

2011

2011 Ellen White and Current Issues Symposium: Devotional 2011 Ellen White and Current Issues Symposium Every year the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, in association with the Center for Adventist Research and the Ellen G. White Estate hosts an Ellen White and Current Issues Symposium in order to highlight current research and discuss new questions relating to her work and ministry. This year, on March 28, 2011, is the seventh such symposium (download the program (PDF) here). In the following days, Memory, Meaning & Faith will give summaries of the proceedings by our web editor, Angelika Kaiser*.

Promoting Missionary Mutual Care Through Spiritual Community

2014

Renewal Christian Fellowship, Living Hope Community Church, my good friends and colleagues, Al and Jeanie Stirling and last, but not least, Ray and Phyllis Shepherd, my parents, for their financial support. I would not be writing these words without them. To them go my sincerest thanks. Special thanks goes to my dissertation advisor, Jared Roth, for his insightful and gentle encouragement throughout the writing process. I am also grateful for Al Stirling and my Dad, who faithfully poured over my work offering suggestions and edits when my eyes would no longer catch the jots and tittles. To my children, Christian and Jillian, thank you for your understanding and flexibility in allowing me to finish. This has cost you more than many will ever know or understand and you have handled it with grace and love. Thank you. Finally, to my dear wife, Jeanni, your encouragement when times got rough kept me going. Thank you for the way you took on more so I could accomplish a life long dream. Maybe the cost to you is highest in bearing the burdens of many so a few could thrive. You are a gem. I cannot show my gratitude enough for you. vi

The Journal of Pastoral Theology, 2013

KIERKEGAARD'S PASTORAL DIALOGUES

THE JOURNAL OF PASTORAL THEOLOGY, 2013

Commentary: Psalms, Part I

Commentary: Psalms, Part I, 2023

Dr. Robert Oh received his B.A. in Philosophy from UC Berkeley, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary (USA) and Ph.D. from the University of Middlesex (Oxford Centre for Mission Studies), the U.K. He is currently teaching as a visiting scholar at Cambodia Presbyterian Theological Institute and at America Evangelical University in USA. Dr. Oh authored more than 100 books both in English and Korean – Gap & Eul: Korean Patron-Client Dynamics in Church Planting in Cambodia (Regnum, UK), Prayer Driven Life (Wipf & Stock, USA), Nehemiah Leadership (Ture Publishing, Korea), Hearing (Kyu Jang, Korea) and others. Dedication I dedicate this book to my Daily Gospel brothers and sisters who each day encourages me to continue to take my Cross daily and follow our Lord Jesus Christ guided by the Holy Spirit God. “To me to live is Christ” Phil. 1:21a