Paul S. Chung

In Public Theology and Civil Society, author Paul S. Chung charts the political history of modern democracy and social contract to define the role of Christian public theology in the post-colonial era. Capturing the thought of Rousseau, Kant, and Rawls in reference to the dialectical theory of Hegel and Marx, Chung forges a new model of public theology for today’s society. "Engaging in an expansive conversation with the thought of major figures in philosophy, political economy, and theology, Paul Chung articulates a compelling argument for a public theology that takes seriously our postcolonial context . . . Chung’s prophetic perspective critiques the hierarchical structures and social stratification that threaten civil society, upholding the values of justice, democracy, and peace among the religions. This book constructs a public theology that engages diverse public spheres toward the creation of a more equitable and diverse society." Craig L. Nessan, Professor of Contextual Theology and Ethics, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa "How does political and emancipatory public theology look and function in post-colonial reality? Dr. Chung makes a resounding case for Christian public theology as explicitly ethical theology . . . Dr. Chung’s excavation of some of the root causes and frameworks of oppression invites deep and theologically informed engagement in the affairs of the world." Kirsi Stjerna, Los Angeles/Southwest California Synod Professor of Lutheran History and Theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California Lutheran University.

Through an elaboration of public theology with an ethical project of life-world, Paul S. Chung employs the sociological work of civil society, public moral reasoning, and bio-political inquiry, while undertaking a social scientific analysis of a capitalist revolution in the global empire. Chung’s approach to public theology and ethical deliberation of the life-world opens up avenues for the postcolonial significance of the theology of nature and gene-ethics engaged in biomedical technology and bio-political governance in the time of the pandemic. Public Theology discloses creative new facets of sociological, ethical investigation into cultural justice (race, gender, and sexuality) through discourse clarification of power relations and construction of the life-world.

“Engaging in an expansive conversation with the thought of major figures in philosophy, political economy, and theology, Paul Chung articulates a compelling argument for a public theology that takes seriously our postcolonial context.”

— Craig L. Nessan, Professor of Contextual Theology and Ethics, Wartburg Theological Seminary. Dubuque, Iowa  

“What does political and emancipatory public theology look like and does it function in a post-colonial reality? Interrogating foundational sources in ethics, theology, sociology, and epistemology, Dr. Chung makes a resounding case for Christian public theology as explicitly ethical theology. He demonstrates the profound importance of religiously articulated ethical guidance - for individuals, and the Church - to promote true solidarity and democracy, and justice-oriented mutual responsibility in Civil Society. Dr. Chung’s excavation of some of the root causes and frameworks of oppression invites deep and theologically informed engagement in the affairs of the world.”

— Kirsi Stjerna, First Lutheran, Los Angeles/Southwest California Synod Professor of Lutheran History and Theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California Lutheran University.