Biography as Intersectional Theology

Question 1

han

Answer 1

One possible way to translate han is “unjust suffering” or “deep piercing of the heart” due to unjust systems. Injustices such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and so on all work to discriminate and oppress.

Han is the experience of unjust suffering because of systems that exist to cause suffering.

Question 2

Minjung theology

Answer 2

Minjung theology is a theology of the people and arose during the struggle for democracy in Korea after the Korean War. Minjung is the politically oppressed and economically exploited, and minjung theology tries to address the marginalized, the broken, and those who have suffered han.

Question 3

process theology

Answer 3

God is not coercive power but persuasive love. All suffering is evil, and while God does not control the circumstances that create suffering, God suffers with the one who suffers and rejoices with the one who rejoices. God calls all things to fulfill their divine aim, and the goal of existence is enjoyment—being fully present and engaged in purposefully living the divine aim.

Question 4

Experience

Answer 4

Experience played a key role in how these early influential theologies were written and how they were understood.
Therefore, we must recognize the importance of experience in how we understand God in our world.