Namsoon Kang
Namsoon Kang: A Life of Service and Leadership
Full Name and Common Aliases
Namsoon Kang is a renowned Korean-American theologian and academic who has made significant contributions to the fields of theology, ecumenism, and interfaith dialogue.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 12, 1957, Namsoon Kang's life has been marked by dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to creating positive change in the world. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information on her passing, which suggests she is still active in her work.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Namsoon Kang holds dual citizenship of Korea and the United States. Her professional life spans multiple disciplines: theology, philosophy, and interfaith dialogue. She has served as a professor at several esteemed institutions, including Union Theological Seminary in New York City and Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Seoul, Korea, Namsoon Kang was raised in a devoutly Christian family. Her early life experiences and theological education laid the foundation for her future endeavors as a theologian and scholar. Kang's academic pursuits took her to various institutions across the globe, shaping her perspectives on theology, ecumenism, and interfaith dialogue.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout her career, Namsoon Kang has made significant contributions to theology, particularly in the areas of:
Ecumenical Theology: Kang's work has focused on promoting unity among Christian denominations. Her research explores the complexities of ecumenism and its role in fostering global understanding.
Interfaith Dialogue: She has engaged with scholars from diverse faith backgrounds, working to bridge gaps between Christianity and other world religions.
Feminist Theology: Kang's work emphasizes the importance of feminist perspectives in redefining theological discourse. Her research highlights the need for greater inclusivity and representation within theological institutions.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Namsoon Kang include:
"Living with Emptiness: Encountering God in All Things": This book explores themes of spirituality, theology, and everyday life.
* "The Ecumenical Household: A Theological Study on Christian Unity": In this work, Kang examines the concept of unity within Christianity and its implications for global ecumenism.
Impact and Legacy
Namsoon Kang's contributions to theology have left a lasting impact. Her tireless efforts in promoting ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and feminist perspectives have inspired countless scholars and practitioners around the world. As an advocate for inclusivity and representation, she continues to shape theological discourse.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Namsoon Kang is widely quoted and remembered for her thought-provoking insights on ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, and feminist theology. Her work challenges readers to reevaluate their understanding of spirituality and the role of faith in everyday life.
Quotes by Namsoon Kang
Namsoon Kang's insights on:

I believe that dreaming an _impossible_ world, is itself the task of theologies and that the disparity between _the world-as-it-is_ (reality) and _the world-as-it-ought-to-be_ (ideality) is where a prophetic call_ comes in.

Cosmopolitanism,..., _speaks_ about the urgent need for and the significance of relocating our discourse on,..., the scope and application of rights and justice for every singular human being regardless of the person's birth and belonging.

the overall theme of theology can be twofold: the search for meaning and the responsibility one has to the others.


Religion is about hospitality and responsibility, and about neighbor/enemy-love-as-self-love in a Christian term that requires one to turn a new _gaze_ onto others––what I call a _cosmopolitan gaze_.

I believe _cosmopolitanism_ can be an effective discourse with which to advocate a politics of _transidentity_ of overlapping interests and heterogeneous or hybrid subjects in order to challenge conventional notions of exclusive belonging, identity and citizenship.

Cosmopolitanism starts from the _singular_ individual rather than the _faceless_ collective

Theological discourses function in various ways as sites of contestation and resistance, of forming new religious and personal identities, and of building solidarities. Theological discourses that theologians produce, disseminate, and teach in academia are not simply objective interpretations and neutral reflections on the world and the church in it. Instead theological discourses are productions of and for the world and the church that we live in


Cosmopolitanism has offered me an ethical perspective and a conceptual framework with which to read the _signs of our times_ as a theologian and intellectual who has a public responsibility for constantly offering a way to engage in this rapidly changing public world.