Rediscovering the Spirit with Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim
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Hey Theology Nerds!
Get ready because we're about to get spirit-filled in the best possible way! I'm beyond stoked to introduce you to our upcoming online class "Rediscovering the Spirit" featuring the brilliant Grace Ji-Sun Kim.
When I was reaching out to some of my favorite theologians to write books in the Homebrewed Christianity series, I knew I wanted Grace to do the guide to the Holy Spirit. And trust me, she delivers! Grace boldly calls out what many of us have sensed but couldn't articulate - that the church has been running a two-person show with the Father and Son while treating the Spirit like that awkward third wheel we only acknowledge when we're desperate.
As Grace brilliantly argues, this Spirit-neglect has real consequences - from our deistic thinking that keeps God distant, to sidelining women, the planet, and our non-Christian neighbors. She reminds us that the Hebrew Bible, Jesus, and Paul were all absolutely Spirit-obsessed, while we've either replaced the Spirit with the Bible or just stopped engaging altogether.
In our increasingly diverse world, Grace challenges us to center the very aspect of God that transcends boundaries and speaks through difference. She invites us to embrace a "Spirit-filled syncretism" where diverse global voices - not just the old white European theological gatekeepers - can reveal the magnificent, wild movement of God's Spirit across cultures and experiences.
So if you're ready for theology that both frustrates rigid assumptions AND opens things up for renewal , join us for "Rediscovering the Spirit." Because as Grace would tell you, without the Spirit at center, the church risks becoming as relevant as the members of N'Sync not named Justin!
Here’s how Grace begins the Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Spirit which we will get to read during the class…
When I first sat down to discuss writing for the HBC series with Tripp Fuller and Tony Jones, it was over beers. No surprise there. What maybe did surprise them was that I insisted on writing the volume on the Holy Spirit. That’s because I do not think the church has a future without the Spirit at the center. For real. The church is going to be as relevant as the members of N'Sync not named Justin if it doesn't get full of the Holy Ghost.
Don't worry, I am not about to lay hands on you through these pages causing you to fall down and speak in tongues—I am Presbyterian after all. What I am going to tell you is something that might get you frustrated or excited—or hopefully both: the Father and the Son get way too much play. For two millennia the church has talked non-stop about the Father and Son and has treated the Spirit like a bicycle training wheel—you keep it around to lean on when the two dudes run into a problem, but otherwise it’s best to ignore it.
I’ll try to say this charitably: according to St. Augustine, the Father and the Son require the Spirit. The Spirit is the bond of love that sustains their relationship in the heart of God. I am just updating that to say that the church needs the Spirit just as much. Here are four reasons (because three would be too obvious):
Ignoring the presence and activity of the Spirit leaves Christians thinking like deists, where God is up and out while we are down and in the world. Alone. Unless and until the Son interrupts, as he occasionally does, for one of his big arrivals.
Not surprisingly, when God-talk is 90% about Father and Son, there are material consequences. For example, the relegation of women, the planet, and non-Christian neighbors to the sidelines. You might not think these are connected, but I will show you the connection and introduce you to someone who completely disagrees with me in the most legit way.
Nota bene, the entire Hebrew Bible is obsessed with the Spirit, Jesus talks about it non-stop, and so does Paul. I am just saying as a biblical feminist theologian that the Spirit should be at the center of our faith. Too often our conservative friends replaced the Spirit in the Trinity with the Bible, and our progressive friends just stopped reading it.
Today we have a more diverse church and an even more diverse spiritual ecosystem across the world. Might it make sense to focus on the very theological doctrine that insists God is actually present and a part of this diversity? Maybe, if we learn to listen to the Spirit through them, we can even be blessed and not threatened by this reality.
Theological Purity Kills
Theology has been done by white heterosexual European men for too long. Other global voices around the world have not been taken into consideration, as the “old boys club” felt that they would bring impurity to theology. Everything that white heterosexual European men did was pure and real theology, and everything outside of that tight knit circle was “heresy.” It was believed that outside thoughts would contaminate theology. However, if we only listen to the “old boys club,” we will never understand the magnitude, depth, and beauty of God.
Theological purity kills. We need to hear global voices, especially from the margins which will add depth to our understanding of God. Different cultures, histories and experiences can help us walk towards a more freeing understanding of God as Spirit whose presence can be felt all around the world.
The Spirit God is infinite, and we are finite beings who are limited by our experiences and contexts to understand the one who created us.
We need to recognize that theology is affected by cultures, other religions, customs and practices. For example, Christians around the world observe Easter and consider it one of the holiest events in the Christian calendar. However, much of the practices around Easter are rooted in the spring equinox and ancient pagan practices. The sooner we acknowledge this, the faster we will reconcile the understanding that theology was never pure. Recognizing this will give birth to a liberative theology that challenges the status quo, destroys inequity, and promotes justice and liberation.
Spirit-filled Syncretism
Different cultures, religions, and ideas clash. But when they clash, new ideas and forms emerge, beautiful new ways to view the world, religion, and God. The Spirit moves and hovers over the earth. It blows like the wind and thus we cannot predict which way it will move. We feel the results of the movement, but we cannot predict it, and we definitely cannot control it.
The Spirit is vibrant and alive. As it moves we come to understand it not as pure, but as a movement which is syncretistic and holy. Globally, different people all have different words which evoke the Spirit. It may not all be the same word, but it is a similar concept. The Israelites called it ruach, the New Testament church called it pneuma, German theologians called it geist, and Asian theologians call it Chi. These different words have similar meanings but also show a syncretistic view of the Spirit. How Asians experience the everyday movement and power of the Spirit may not be the same as how South Americans will experience the Spirit. But the various ways we experience, understand, and talk about the Spirit all add richness.
We recognize that the Spirit isn’t dead as some Eurocentric theology has portrayed, but rather it is alive and affecting the world. The world experiences this in so many ways, and these experiences are a testament to the beauty, power, and wonder of the Spirit, who continues to stir us to work for justice.
Class Starting Soon - Register Now!
REDISCOVERING THE SPIRIT: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology.
Moving beyond traditional Western theological frameworks, we'll explore feminist interpretations, global perspectives, and innovative approaches to understanding the Spirit in today's world. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth.
Preview: The Spirit in Scripture and Early Christianity
Week 1: Historical Developments and Theological Tensions
Week 2: Feminist and Global Perspectives on the Spirit
Week 3: Living in the Spirit Today
FOUR LIVE SESSIONS:
Tuesdays (May 20th - June 10th) at 10am PT / 1pm ET
ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS: You can participate fully without being present at any specific time. Replays are available on the Class Resource Page.
COST: A course like this is typically offered for $250 or more. Your contributions are what make our classes possible. We invite you to contribute whatever amount you feel led to give (including $0).
Grace Ji-Sun Kim is Coming to Theology Beer Camp!
Theology Beer Camp 2025
October 16-18, 2025 - St. Paul, Minnestoa
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Organized by Homebrewed Christianity, this event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities.
EARLY BIRD TICKETS available until May 15th - Get tickets here. We will sell out!
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Founded by Tripp Fuller in 2008, Homebrewed Christianity has been a hub for progressive theology, philosophy, and religion, sparking conversations that matter. With over 1,500 podcast episodes, a thriving global community, and a full lineup of resources—including books, live classes, livestreams, and the annual Theology Beer Camp—this is the go-to platform for engaging theologically curious minds.
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