Asian-American Biblical Interpretation: Evangelical Voices

  Sponsors: Max Lee and Milton Eng

Asian American Biblical Interpretation (AABI) has come of age in recent years. Publications continue apace with works as recent as the encyclopedic T&T Clark Handbook of Asian American Biblical Hermeneutics (2019). In addition, Asian American biblical scholars have now attained the highest and most visible positions in the academy including presidents and deans of seminaries, the presidency of the Association of Theological Schools and even most recently the highest office in our premier guild, President of the SBL.

Yet, most of such scholarship and representation has come from non-evangelical or mainline theological schools. Evangelicals are less represented (see Chloe Sun, “Recent Research on Asian and Asian American Hermeneutics Related to the Hebrew Bible” CBR 17(3): 258 [238–65]). This new research group provides a space for Asian American evangelical scholars to engage with, critique, integrate and indeed pave new ground in current approaches in Asian American Biblical Interpretation. The fact that the majority of Asian American Protestants are evangelical makes their voices even more imperative. “Asian American” includes but is not limited to the Confucian-belt countries of origin.

Asian American biblical interpretation by its very nature is interdisciplinary. Thus, invited guests will include theologians, historians, sociologists and scholars from other disciplines to inform our research. For further information, please contact Milton Eng ([email protected]) or Max Lee  ([email protected])

3:30 to 5:30 pm
11/17/2023
Conference Room 7

This year our research group will be focusing on the theme of “Family, Kinship and Community” as Asian American biblical interpreters. We are pleased to have two invited papers, one each emerging from the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible and New Testament. We also have two papers accepted from our open Call for Papers this year. These four papers will be available on the IBR website after October 25th under the Research Groups tab at www.ibr-bbr.org (IBR Member login required). Attendees are encouraged to read the papers in advance though drop-ins are welcome. Non-IBR members are welcome to attend. For further information, please contact Milton Eng ([email protected]) or Max Lee ([email protected]). More information can also be found on the IBR Research Groups website (https://www.ibr-bbr.org/annual-meeting/research-groups).

Bo Lim, Seattle Pacific University, Presiding (5 min)

Michelle Lee-Barnewall, Biola University
Belonging and Racial Reconciliation in the Family of God (20 min)

Elizabeth Sung, Regent College, Respondent (5 min)

Daniel Lee, Fuller Theological Seminary
The First and Fifth Commandments: Confucian Family-Centricity in Asian American Hermeneutics(20 min)

Dan Wu, Moore Theological College, Respondent (5 min)

Break (5 min)

Esther Cen, Seattle Pacific University
A Chinese Interpretation of Youth Leadership and the Household Metaphor in 1 Timothy (20 min)

Elizabeth Sung, Regent College, Respondent (5 min)

Xenia Ling-Yee Chan, Toronto School of Theology
"Does an Asian American Narrative Always Have to Return to the Mother?" Another Look at Ruth and Naomi’s Relationship through Cathy Park Hong’s "An Education" in Minor Feelings (20 min)

Dan Wu, Moore Theological College, Respondent (5 min)

Discussion (10 min)