Stone Mountain Consulting and Research

ABOUT THE FIRM

I am Yung Suk Kim, Founder of Stone Mountain Consulting and Research. I am Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Virginia Union University. I hold a PhD (Vanderbilt University) and an MDiv (McCormick Theological Seminary). After more than 20 years as a professor and the author of more than 20 books and editor of 4 books, I have realized that the most "exceptional" scholarship is that which creates new needs for its readers. My journey—from the corporate world at LG in Latin America and Miami, Florida, to the halls of Vanderbilt (PhD) and Virginia Union (Full Professor)—has taught me that academic work is at its best when it is conscientious, interdisciplinary, and transformative. See my reflection on scholarly journey: My Scholarly Journey: People-focused, Justice-seeking, and Transformation-driven.

Also, see the Endorsements.

"Stone Mountain" reflects my philosophy: scholarship should be as strong and prevalent as stone, yet as calm and expansive as a mountain.

CONSULTING:

Through Stone Mountain Consulting and Research, I am offering specialized, bilingual (English/Korean) consulting in:

PhD Coaching: Navigating the "tightrope" of dissertation research and defense.
Publication Strategy: Guiding authors through the proposal and peer-review process with top-tier presses.
Interdisciplinary Lectures: Bridging Biblical Studies with Cognitive Science, Psychology, and Justice.

I invite my colleagues and students to reach out. Let us work together to move away from individualism and toward a scholarship of human solidarity.

LECTURE EVENTS:

I offer 10 unique topics and arguments that provide informative and challenging insights for both contemporary life and scholarship. Please see the Service Menu for details.

I am also comfortable addressing any topic within biblical studies and the New Testament, with particular expertise in Pauline studies.

RESEARCH:

I will continue to research and publish books and articles at the crossroads of biblical studies and related fields. I have 10 ongoing book projects.

I am so excited about this new firm: Stone Mountain Consulting and Research because I can contribute to a world of ideas and practices in meaningful ways.

Why This Firm

Service Menu

CONTACT: email at youaregood@gmail.com CV Short Bio Blog Publications YouTube LinkedIn

For more about Dr. Kim, click on the photo.

As a professor and scholar, Dr. Kim is recognized for connecting ancient texts to contemporary existential concerns. His ongoing work continues to explore how Scripture can foster resilience, responsibility, and transformation in both personal and social life.

The letters in the above seal denote a stone-mountain scholar. I like stone. It is strong and hard to break, but it breaks. It is everywhere, used for construction and pavement, and its usefulness is prevalent. I want to be that kind of a scholar—a Stone Mountain Scholar. For me, the mountain symbolizes something big, calm, and beyond myself, yet profoundly important for all of us. Indeed, the image of a stone-mountain has stayed with me since my youth.

The Triad of Mastery: Defining Critical Competency, presented by Yung Suk Kim

What defines true competence in our work or research? It is not merely the possession of facts, but the mastery of three dynamic forces: Creativity, Communication, and Challenge.

Creativity requires an open mindset to entertain new possibilities and the stamina to pursue them through trial and error. Critical competency means having the creative courage to synthesize new ideas where others only see data.
Communication is a deep engagement with diverse voices—whether through vibrant conversation with peers or silent dialogue with books and resources. To be competent is to be well-read and well-spoken, bridging the gap between one's own thoughts and the collective knowledge of the field.
Challenge represents a spirit of intellectual grit. It is the choice to take the more difficult, constructive path rather than the convenient one. A competent researcher or professional seeks out "productive friction"—welcoming difficult questions and complex obstacles as the necessary tools for building a robust outcome.

From Blame to Building: The Four Pillars of Quality Critique ---presented by Yung Suk Kim

Critiquing is a robust act of perceiving things as they are and offering meaningful commentary. While anyone can critique a person or an idea, the quality of that critique varies significantly. How do we distinguish a "good" critique? I suggest these four essential steps:

1. Specify Perspective: One must declare the philosophy or perspective from which they stand. Often, when we hear a critique, we have no clue what the speaker’s underlying viewpoint is.

2. Exercise Conscientiousness: One must be diligent, utilizing data and experience while maintaining deep knowledge of the issue at hand.

3. Ensure Clarity: One must express ideas or critical points effectively, using clear language and illustrative figures.

4. Offer a Path Forward: One must suggest a direction for construction or improvement.

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