Asian Christianity in the Diaspora Series Editors Grace Ji-Sun Kim Visiting Researcher Georgetown University USA Joseph Cheah Associate Professor of Comparative Theology University of Saint Joseph USA
Asian American theology is still at its nascent stage. It began in the 1980 s with just a handful of scholars who were recent immigrants to the United States. Now with the rise in Asian American population and the rise of Asian American theologians, this new community is an ever-important voice within theological discourse and Asian American cultural studies. This new series seeks to bring to the forefront some of the important, provocative new voices within Asian American Theology. The series aims to provide Asian American theological responses to the complex process of migration and resettlement process of Asian immigrants and refugees. We will address theoretical works on the meaning of diaspora, exile, and social memory, and the foundational works concerning the ways in which displaced communities remember and narrate their experiences. Such an interdisciplinary approach entails intersectional analysis between Asian American contextual theology and one other factor; be it sexuality, gender, race/ethnicity, and/or cultural studies. This series also addresses Christianity from Asian perspectives. We welcome manuscripts that examine the identity and internal coherence of the Christian faith in its encounters with different Asian cultures, with Asian people, the majority of whom are poor, and with non-christian religions that predominate the landscape of the Asian continent. Palgrave is embarking on a transformation of discourse within Asian and Asian American theological scholarship as this will be the first of its kind. As we live in a global world in which Christianity has re-centered itself in the Global South and among the racialized minorities in the United States, it behooves us to listen to the rich, diverse and engaging voices of Asian and Asian American theologians. More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/14781
Mark Chung Hearn Religious Experience Among Second Generation Korean Americans
Mark Chung Hearn Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry Seattle, Washington, USA Asian Christianity in the Diaspora ISBN 978-1-137-59412-9 ISBN 978-1-137-59413-6 (ebook) DOI 10.1057/978-1-137-59413-6 Library of Congress Control Number: 2016939601 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Nature America Inc. New York
To my parents, Soogoon (Paul) and Kumhong (Karen) Hearn, the first to give me an image of God made flesh
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I cherish community because people, including me, suffer without it. With it, however, we accomplish unthinkable achievements that are oftentimes impossible alone. This book would not have been possible without a great community of people contributing in ways for which I am truly grateful. I first thank you, men, who made space for me in your lives, offering trust and honesty to listen to your stories and share them here. I learned much from you and periodically found myself crying as I replayed interview after interview to better understand your pain and triumph. You all have brought depth to this book as a result of your openness. I am indebted to the Palgrave Macmillan team who helped me throughout this project. Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Joseph Cheah, the Asian Christianity in the Diaspora series editors, I thank you for your encouragement and patience with me in putting this book together and for having the belief that my thoughts and words do contribute to Asian American Christianity. Phil Getz, Palgrave MacMillan editor, thank you for listening to my idea about Korean American Christianity through the voices of Korean American men; it was great to share the conversation we had here in the Pacific Northwest. And Alexis Nelson, the editorial assistant, thank you for your reminders to help me stay on top of my deadlines and for your diligence in answering my many questions. I thank the senior pastor and Christ Church congregation for welcoming me to participate in your faith lives. You are a beacon of hope to Asian Americans who search for something more meaningful with their faith. I am grateful for the opportunity to study various church football tournaments thanks to John Kim, the tournament organizer. I hope you vii
viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS and others continue to make these tournaments more respectful and constructive places. I thank my academic communities who have spurred me on through many conversations, reflections, and insights. I am grateful to Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, Frank Rogers, Jr., David K. Yoo, Elizabeth Conde- Frazier, and Kathleen S. Yep, who provided wisdom, guidance, and expertise during my doctoral work at Claremont School of Theology. I have witnessed the melding of theory and praxis and the prophetic and pastoral in each of you. I am also grateful to David Hogue, Lallene Rector, James Poling, Margaret Ann Crain, Jack Seymour, and Nancy Bedford at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary for encouraging me during my M.T.S. work to ask questions about my Korean American community and context. I have doubts if I would have made this the focal point of my study if it were not for you being the first to encourage me to ask critical questions about my faith and context. I am grateful for my faculty, administrative, and staff colleagues at Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry. You are great colleagues to work with and have sharpened me to who I am as an educator, scholar, director, and friend. I am learning how much you really treasure the opportunity to fulfill your life s calling in your respective ministries and roles. I am indebted to my faith communities, Community Church at Holliston and Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church, who continue to make faith alive and real. You have stood by our family in the worst and best of times and through the transition north to Seattle from Los Angeles. Thank you Pastors Sam Park, Derek Nagano, Shalom Agtarap, and Al Han for your care and spiritual guidance. To Minho and Janet Chung, Ken and Sunnie Suhr, Mike and Grace Park, Karlos and Esther Chong, Scott and Sandy Kim, Andre and Jessica ChenFeng, Richard and Dosan Song, Mark and Jennifer Lovers, Sonny Moon and Christina Park, Brian Won and Leny Chun, David and Joan Hong, Robin and Angela Choe, James Seatown Kim, Dan Park, Rick and Amy Noji, Jill Nishi and Howard Nakase, Steve and Yuki Sofronas, Alice Ikeda, Tim and Margo Ikegami, and Joel and Audrey Ing, thank you for the conversations, meals, and wonderful friendship. I thank my parents, Soogoon and Kumong Hearn, who gave me an image of what ministry can and should look like, caring for the vulnerable among us with generosity and hospitality. Thank you for your prayers, care, and love which I warmly embrace. To my sisters, Debbie and Lydia,
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix and their loved ones, Michael and Selah, thank you for helping to shape me with a critical and sensitive eye toward gender and power dynamics. Your ability to reach people in so many different ways is something I admire and strive to emulate. I thank my in-laws, Sung Sang, Soon Nam, Suney, Tim, and Jeana Park for your presence and encouragement throughout this project. You have given of yourselves time and again in order for us to finish our graduate work and writing. Finally, I am grateful to my spouse Jeney and daughter Emma for your continued love and support. While the road has had its share of turns, we have walked it together. Jeney, thank you for being the conversation and life partner you have been. I have come into my own healing as a man and as a person because of you. Emma, thank you for being our pride and joy. You make us laugh more than you know; this is a gift. Your presence continues to brighten our days and reminds me that I write this book not only for men, but for you, girls, and women alike that we might all live in more peaceable and mutual ways.
CONTENTS 1 Introduction 1 2 Situating Korean American Men in Asian America 7 3 Listening to Korean American Men Tell Their Lives 27 4 Sports and Korean American Men 43 5 Korean American Spirituality and Gender 65 6 Forming Korean American Men: What Can We Do? 101 Bibliography 121 Index 131 xi