Sebastian C. H. Kim
Academic Dean for the Korean Studies Center, and Robert Wiley Professor of Renewal in Public Life
BSc, Hanyang University
MDiv, Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary
ThM, Fuller Theological Seminary
PhD, University of Cambridge
Courses Taught
ET552: Theology in the Public Sphere
MK759: Mission, Ethics, and Public Theology
Campus Affiliations
Areas of Expertise
Public theology, Korean Christianity, world Christianity, Asian theologies, theology and peacebuilding, theology and societyVideos
“I am bringing together a vibrant team at Fuller for research and teaching, to help the Korean Studies Center nurture leaders for Korean churches and mission organizations, facilitate in-depth research on theology and mission, and encourage the interaction of Korean churches in global contexts.”
Dr. Kim, reflecting on the future of the Korean Studies Center. Read more.
Bio
Sebastian Chang Hwan Kim joined the Fuller Seminary faculty in 2017, coming from York St John University in the UK, where he held the chair in Theology and Public Life in the School of Humanities, Religion, and Philosophy for 12 years. He also served as a university head of research and director of the Centre for Religion in Society. Prior to joining York St John University, he was director of the Christianity in Asia project and taught world Christianity in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. He also taught at Union Biblical Seminary in India, and served as interim director of the Henry Martyn Centre and Henry Martyn Lecturer at the Cambridge Theological Federation.
Dr. Kim’s scholarship interests include public theology, world Christianity, Asian theologies, and theology and peacebuilding. He has authored four books: A History of Korean Christianity (2015), Theology in the Public Sphere: Public Theology as a Catalyst for Open Debate (2011), In Search of Identity: Debates on Religious Conversion in India (2005), and Christianity as a World Religion (2nd ed., 2016). Books he has edited include A Companion to Public Theology (2017), Cosmopolitanism, Religion, and the Public Sphere (2014), Building Communities of Reconciliation: Reflections on the Life and Teaching of Reverend Kyung-Chik Han (2012), and Christian Theology in Asia (2008). Kim is a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, an executive committee member of the Global Network for Public Theology, a member of the Society for the Study of Theology, and former editor of the International Journal of Public Theology.
Two of Kim’s monographs (A History of Korean Christianity and Christianity as a World Religion) were coauthored with his wife, Kirsteen Kim, Paul E. Pierson Chair of World Christianity in Fuller’s School of Mission and Theology. They are the proud parents of two grown children.
Kim’s CV and a list of current publications can be found here.
Kim offered these comments on the escalating military tension on the Korean peninsula in early 2017.