Acknowledgements
This monograph is a revision of my PhD dissertation at McMaster Divinity College (2018). There are many who have directly and indirectly contributed to the writing of this monograph.
First and foremost, I thank my doctoral advisor, Dr. Stanley Porter. Stan was not only my Doktorvater but a mentor and friend, especially during the final years of the program. His influence cannot be quantified, and I am immensely grateful for his investment in me. I have had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him, not only as a world-class scholar but as a friend and brother in Christ. I also thank my secondary advisor, Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall, who challenged me in many ways and encouraged me to think critically through various issues, both academically and spiritually. Along with Stan and Cindy, I thank Dr. Wendy Porter, who was not on my doctoral committee but was another mentor to me over the years and encouraged me in many ways throughout my journey, especially during the final years of the program. Finally, I thank Dr. Ray Van Neste, my external examiner, who offered helpful suggestions to improve this monograph.
I thank others at MDC, including Nina Thomas and her staff, as well as members of the faculty. Nina, in particular, was instrumental in my success throughout the program, and I am grateful for her assistance all along the way. My friends and colleagues at MDC have also contributed to my success in this program, providing thoughtful discussion and sharpening me as a better scholar and Christian: Adam Wright, Chris Stevens, Ernest Gray, Hughson Ong, David Fuller, Dan Morrison, Jonathan Numada, Woojin Chung, Karl Armstrong, Cynthia Chau, Esther Cen, Simon Knighten, Vinh Nguyen, and Sid Sudiacal, among many others.
I also thank the various churches in Ontario, Canada, my spiritual family during my PhD studies: The Sanctuary Church, with whom I spent a majority of my time in Canada as youth and worship pastor, Harvest Oakville, and Humber Blvd Baptist. I also thank Light and Salt Church in California, who sent me off to Canada with a blessing.
My friends in Southern California have supported this monograph in many indirect ways. Among many of them, Dave Cimbora, who started off as my undergraduate professor but through the years became one of my closest friends, has continued to encourage me throughout the entire process. My youth group friends, Kevin Seo and Robert Hong, are faithful friends who have prayed for me and did the cross-country trip to Canada with me. Young Oh, my youth ministry partner, has always encouraged me to be best version of me. Finally, Mark Lee, I thank you for the years at Biola and for keeping my music equipment safe all these years.
Finally, I thank my family. My mother, Jong Hui, supported me through much prayer and encouragement, and instilled in me the work ethic that was necessary to complete a PhD and write this monograph. She herself was not formally educated beyond high school, but worked hard to make sure I and my sister were well equipped to fulfill our individual calling. My sister, Diana, has been a huge support, not only financially but in many other ways that cannot be quantified. Our friendship has developed more over the years, even from thousands of miles away from each other. And although my father, Jang Woo, passed away about fourteen years ago, he was always supportive of me and my academic and spiritual pursuits.
Most importantly, I thank God for his immeasurable grace and love. This monograph is my small offering to him for giving me the ability to think, examine, and write. May it honor him and his Word.
ἄξιος εἶ, ὁ κύριος καὶ ὁ θεὸς ἡµῶν, λαβεὶν τὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν τιµὴν καὶ τὴν δύναµιν,
Dave