Lim Kar Yong

Dr Lim is one of the leading New Testament scholars in Malaysia and has led Bible Land Tours for more than a decade. He is a Research Fellow at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM) and also an Anglican priest with St Paul’s Church Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Apart from theological education, Kar Yong also contributes to the wider Christian community by serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of World Vision Malaysia and a member of the Executive Committee of the Bible Society of Malaysia. He is an author of four books and numerous academic essays, including Following Jesus: An Illustrated Guide to the Places in the Holy Land according to Mark.

1. Society of Biblical Literature

• International Cooperation Initiative (ICI) Liaison for Malaysia,
  2010–present.
• Chair of Paul and Pauline Literature Section for International
  Meeting, 2016–2022.

2. Society of Asian Biblical Studies

• Member, Executive Board since 2018.

3. Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas

Books Authored

1. Following Jesus: An Illustrated Guide to the Places of the Holy Land According to the Gospel of Mark. Seminari Theoloji Malaysia Series 14. Singapore: Armour Publishing, 2019.
2. Metaphors and Social Identity Formation in Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians. Eugene: Pickwick, 2017.
3. Jesus the Storyteller: Hearing the Parables Afresh Today. Seminari Theoloji Malaysia Series 9. Singapore: Armour Publishing, 2015.
4. “The Sufferings of Christ are Abundant in Us” (2 Cor 1:5): A Narrative Dynamics Investigation of Paul’s Sufferings in 2 Corinthians. Library of New Testament Studies Monograph Series No 399. London/New York: T&T Clark, 2009.

Book Edited

1. Sermons on the Psalms: A Special Publication Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Seminari Theoloji Malaysia. Edited by Lim Kar Yong, Peter H. W, Lau, and Elaine Goh Wei Fun. Singapore: Armour Publishing/ Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, 2018.

Chapters in Books/Articles in Journals

1. “Remain in the Calling in which You were Called” (1 Cor 7:20): The Continuation of Social Identities in 1 Corinthians.” Special Issue: Reading New Testament Writings Through Non-Supersessionist Lenses. Religions 14/2 (Jan, 2023).
2. “The Politics of Honoring the ‘Good’ and Resisting the ‘Evil’ – Reading Romans 13 as a Hidden Transcript in the Malaysian Context.” Co-authored with Hii Kong Hock. Pages 274–88 in Scripture, Cultures, and Criticism: Interpretive Steps and Critical Issues Raised by Robert Jewett. Edited by K. K. Yeo and Kathy Ehrensperger. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2022.
3. “The New Testament and the Socio-Cultural and Religious Realities of the Asian Contexts.” Pages 5–28 in Asian Introduction to the New Testament. Edited by Johnson Thomaskutty. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2022.
4. “For All of You are One in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28): Paul’s Vision for Inclusivity or Diversity?” Pages 83–116 in From Malaysia to the Ends of the Earth: Southeast Asian and Diasporic Contributions to Biblical and Theological Studies. Edited by Elaine Wei Fun Goh, Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, Jonathan Yun-Ka Tan and Amos Yong. Claremont, CA: Claremont Press, 2021.
5. “2 Corinthians.” Pages 327–54 in T&T Clark Social Identity Commentary on the New Testament. Edited by J. Brian Tucker and Aaron Kuecker. London: T&T Clark, 2020.
6. “A Theology of Suffering and Mission for the Asian Church.” Pages 181-98 in Asian Christian Theology: Evangelical Perspectives. Edited by Stephen T. Pardue and Timoteo Gener. Carlisle: Langham Publishing, 2019.
7. “The Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings” (Phil 3:10): Politics, Sufferings, and Social Identity Formation in Philippians.” Pages 127–51 in Suffering in Paul: Perspectives and Implications. Edited by Siu Fung Wu. Eugene: Pickwick, 2019.
8. “The Divine Courtroom (Psalm 50).” Pages 15–24 in Sermons on the Psalms: A Special Publication Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Seminari Theoloji Malaysia. Edited by Lim Kar Yong, Peter H. W. Lau, and Elaine Goh Wei Fun. Singapore: Armour Publishing/Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, 2018.
9. “Paul the Economist? Economic Principles in Pauline Literature with the Jerusalem Collection as a Test Case.” Evangelical Review of Theology 41/1 (2017):19–31.
10. “Reading Romans 13:1–7 in a Multi-Faith Context: Some Reflections from Malaysia.” Pages 37–47 in What Young Asian Theologians Are Thinking. Edited by Leow Theng Huat. CSCA Christianity in Southeast Asia Series 7. Singapore: Trinity Theological College, 2014.
11. “’If Anyone is in Christ, New Creation: The Old has Gone, the New has Come’ (2 Cor 5:17): New Creation and Temporal Comparison in Social Identity Formation in 2 Corinthians.” Pages 289–310 in T&T Clark Handbook to Social Identity and the New Testament. Edited by J. Brian Tucker and Coleman A. Baker. London: T&T Clark, 2014.
12. “Folly and Fools in the New Testament.” Pages 354–55 in Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception.Vol 9. Edited by Dale C. Allison, Jr., Christine Helmer, Jens Schröter, Thomas Chr. Römer, Choon-Leong Seow, Barry Dov Walfish and Eric Ziolkowski. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2014. Online edition.
13. “Living as Christians under Civil Law: The New Testament Letters, Law, and Politics.” Co-authored with David M. Smolin. Pages 209–38 in Law and the Bible: Justice, Mercy and Legal Institutions. Edited by Robert F. Cochran Jr. and David VanDrunen. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2013.
14. “Generosity from Pauline Perspective: Insights from Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians.” Special Edition on Contagious Generosity, Evangelical Review of Theology 37/1 (2013): 20–30.
15. “The Agape Meal: A Sacramental Model for Ministry drawn from Romans 13:8.” Co-authored with Ezra Kok. Pages 447–54 in From Rome to Beijing: Symposia on Robert Jewett’s Commentary on Romans. Edited by K. K. Yeo. Lincoln: Kairos Studies, 2013.
16. “Rethinking How We Teach the Bible in Church.” Co-authored with Tee Meng Yew. Church and Society in Asia Today 16/2 (2013): 111–21.
17. “οἵτινες καταγγέλλουσιν ὑµῖν ὁδὸν σωτηρίας (Acts 16:17): Is Paul Proclaiming the Way or A Way of Salvation?” Malaysian Association of Theological Schools Journal (2010): 73–86.
18. “Paul’s Use of Temple Imagery in the Corinthian Correspondence: The Creation of Christian Identity.” Pages 189–205 in Reading Paul in Context: Explorations in Identity Formation, Essays in Honour of William S. Campbell. Edited by Kathy Ehrensperger and J. Brian Tucker. Library of New Testament Studies Monograph Series No 428. London/New York: T&T Clark, 2010.
19. “Is There A Place For Suffering In Mission? Perspectives from Paul’s Sufferings in 2 Corinthians.” Pages 64–78 in The Soul of Mission: Perspectives on Christian Leadership, Spirituality and Mission in East Asia; Essays in Appreciation of Dr David Gunaratnam. Edited by Dr Tan Kang San. Petaling Jaya: Pustaka Sufes, 2007

Book Reviews

1. The Social Significance of Reconciliation in Paul’s Theology: Narrative Readings in Romans. Library of New Testament Studies 421. By Corneliu Constantineanu. London/New York: T&T Clark, 2010. Transformation 31/4 (2014): 304–306.
2. In the Footsteps of Judas and Other Defectors: The Gospels, Acts, and Johannine Letters. Apostasy in the New Testament Commentaries. Vol. 1. By B. J. Oropeza. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2011. Evangelical Quarterly 86/2 (2014): 183–85.
3. 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. African Bible Commentary Series. By Samuel M. Ngewa. Grand Rapids, Michigan: HippoBooks, 2009. Transformation 30/3 (2013): 217–18.
4. Discovering Jesus in the New Testament. By Keith Warrington. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 2009. Transformation 30/4 (2013): 300–301.
5. Remember the Poor: Paul, Poverty, and the Greco-Roman World. By Bruce W. Longenecker. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2010. Evangelical Review of Theology 37 (2013): 88–89.
6. Paul Unbound: Other Perspectives on the Apostle. Edited by Mark D. Given. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2010. Evangelical Quarterly 85/1 (2013): 83– 84.
7. Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions. By Steve Rundle & Tom Seffen. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 2003. Mission Studies 22/1 (2005): 164–66.
8. The Church in Mission: Universal Mandate and Local Concerns. Edited by Thomas Malipurathu & L. Stanislaus. Gujarat: Gujarat Sahitya Prakash, 2002. Mission Studies 21/2 (2004): 317–18.
9. Cruciformity: Paul’s Narrative Spirituality of the Cross. By Michael J. Gorman. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003. Journal of Beliefs and Values 25/1 (2004): 114–16.

1. “The Influence of Context on Reading Paul’s Labelling of ἄπιστοι in his Letters to the Corinthians: Some Considerations from Malaysia.” Paper presented at the Seminar on Reading Paul’s Letters in Context: Theological and Social-Scientific Approaches, Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, Leuven, Belgium. July 25–29, 2022.
2. “The Fellowship of Christ’s Sufferings” (Phil 3:10): Politics, Sufferings, and Social Identity Formation in Philippians.” Paper presented at the Paul and Pauline Literature Section, Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, Helsinki, Finland, July 30-August 3, 2018.
3. “What’s in A Name? The Empire Decides!” Paper presented at the Society of Asian Biblical Studies Meeting, Malang, Indonesia. July 16–20, 2018.
4. “Paul the Economist? Economic Principles in Pauline Literature with the Jerusalem Collection as a Test Case.” Paper presented at the Paul and Pauline Literature Section, Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, Berlin, Germany, August 7–11, 2017.
5. “You are the Body of Christ” (1 Cor 12:27): Metaphor and Social Identity Formation.” Paper presented at the Paul and Pauline Literature Section, Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, Seoul, South Korea, July 3–7, 2016.
6. “Paul’s ‘Remembering the Poor’ as Rituals in the Corinthian Letters.” Paper presented at the 3rd Biblical Studies Seminar: Bible and Wealth and Poverty, Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Seremban, March 7, 2016.
7. “Earthly Stories with Heavenly Meaning?: Rethinking the Parables of Jesus.” Lecture delivered at the Official Launch of Jesus the Storyteller: Hearing the Parables Afresh, Centre for Theological Education by Extension, Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Luther Centre, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, May 30, 2015.
8. “Space, Politics, and Social Identity Formation in Philippians.” Paper presented at the 2014 International Congress of Ethnic Chinese Biblical Scholars, Divinity School of Chung Chi, Chinese University of Hong Kong, August 18–20, 2014.
9. “Spaces of Identity: Real and Imagined Spaces and Social Identity Formation in Philippians.” Paper presented at the Paul and Pauline Literature Section, Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, Vienna, July 6–10, 2014.
10. “Space and Social Identity Formation in light of Paul’s Anti-Imperial Rhetoric with Philippians as a Test Case.” Paper presented at the Inaugural Biblical Studies Seminar: Politics in the Bible, Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Seremban, March 10, 2014.
11. “Paul’s ‘Remembering the Poor’ as Ritual in the Corinthian Letters.” Paper presented at the Seminar on Reading Paul’s Letters in Context: Theological and Social-Scientific Approaches, Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, Perth, July 21–24, 2013.
12. “Paul’s Use of Temple Imagery in the Corinthian Correspondence and the Formation of Christian Identity: A Contextual Reading from the Perspectives of A Chinese Malaysian.” Paper presented at the Contextual Interpretation of the Bible (Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament) Section, Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, London, July 4–8, 2011.
13. “Is There A Place For Suffering In Mission? Perspectives from Paul’s Sufferings in 2 Corinthians and the Malaysian Experience.” Lecture delivered at the Postgraduate Seminar, Redcliffe College, Gloucester, November 23, 2010.
14. “Reading Romans 13:1–7 with Multiple Lenses: Some Reflections from A Multi-Faith Context with Malaysia as A Test Case.” Paper presented at the Paul and Pauline Literature Section, Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, Rome, June 30-July 4, 2009.
15. “A Chinese Cultural Reading of the Quotation of Genesis 2:24 in the Household Codes of Ephesians: A Message to the Parents?” Paper presented at the Paul and Pauline Literature Section, Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, Auckland, July 6–11, 2008.
16. “A Response to Robert Jewett’s Paper: The Agape Meal; A Sacramental Model for Ministry Drawn from Romans 13:8.” Paper presented at the Symposium on Romans: The Relevance of Hermeneia Commentary on Romans for Malaysian Culture and Theology, Sabah Theological Seminary, April 14–15, 2008.
17. “Was Jesus Political? A New Testament Perspective.” Paper presented at the Inaugural Dialogue of Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute, Petaling Jaya, September 15, 2007.
18. “The Corinth that St Paul Saw.” Lecture delivered for the MA in Biblical Interpretation Module, Department of Theology & Religious Studies, University of Wales, Lampeter, March 26–29, 2007.
19. “The Corinth that St Paul Saw: The Impact of the City on the Corinthian Letters.” Special Public Lecture delivered at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Seremban, Malaysia. February, 2007.
20. “The Function of Paul’s Citation of Isaiah 49:8 (2 Corinthians 6:2) in Light of His Apostolic Sufferings in 2 Corinthians.” Paper presented at the Paul and Pauline Literature Section, Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, Edinburgh, July 2–6, 2006.
21. “‘The Sufferings of Christ are Abundant for Us’ (2 Cor 1:5a): Paul’s Suffering in 2 Corinthians.” Paper presented at the Paul and Pauline Literature Section, Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, Singapore, June 29–July 1, 2005.