Redemption Boulevard A Multicultural Worship Ministry » Experiences

Reading from a diverse group of writers?

Peter Park — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:48 +0000

Who do you read?

A couple of months ago our pastor gave the congregation a challenge concerning what we read. He talked about how a large portion of the people he read in the past, when studying Scripture, has primarily been white males.

Pastor Matt talked about how important it is to be intentional in reading from Christian writers of different backgrounds including both ethnic and social backgrounds.

Personally, one of the books I’ve been reading is the autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Clayborne Carson. It’s been eye opening to read about his struggles during the civil rights movement on both a personal level and from a minister’s standpoint. He worked very hard to make sure the people did not turn to violence when things got hard.

Now, with that being said, if you come across someone’s book or blog post and you have a question about their theology, then I suggest either talking with your bible study leader, your minister leader, your elder, or pastor. They’re some of the people responsible for your spiritual growth, so you’ll want to ask them if something is in line with how your church interprets passages of Scripture.

Why? Because they’re already accountable for that as leaders of the church, so ask questions…lots of questions.

Questions for you

How would you describe the writers that you typically read? How can you be intentional about expanding who you read? Why is it important to have your Bible close on hand? Who’s a spiritual authority in your life that can help you with questions, recommendations, and theology?

Blog post by Peter Kihyun Park

John Piper: Bloodlines Documentary

Peter Park — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:00:18 +0000

Posted in Video

Making some progress with the Korean language

Peter Park — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:00:44 +0000

Making efforts to learn Korean

I’ve been working hard to get my language skills up by using Rosetta Stone Korean to help me. It’s been interesting to see what words I’ve been pronouncing incorrectly throughout my life. Now, looking back, it makes sense why my mom was translating my Korean into Korean to her friends.

And, as I try to talk to my parents more in Korean they want me to talk to them in English, which is ironic. I think they see that I’m trying to explain things and have a conversation in Korean, but I’m struggling at this point. They want to make our conversation easier but having me speak in English.

So, why keep trying?

It’s important for me to keep learning the language and the culture in order to preserve the culture I grew up with, honor my parents, and have something to pass onto my children. I can’t deny that I’m Korean and why should I? It’s the way that God’s made me.

There was a time when I felt it was okay to reject the Korean culture because I was living in America. But that all changed when I went to college and there were hardly any Koreans around. I had taken for granted the culture that surrounded me for so long.

I missed it.

And as I started dating my wife in college I found myself gaining interest in the Korean culture. Initially, the main reason was to help be a bridge between my family and my wife’s family. But then, it became about something more.

I found myself more confident after embracing all of how God made me.

What about you?

Why do you find yourself desiring to learn other languages? Is it a way for you to build up the church? Do you just have a passion for languages?

Blog post by Peter Kihyun Park