Jeong: A Practical Theology of Postcolonial Interfaith Relations

This article examines Korean American Christians' involvement in interfaith relations from a practical theology perspective. The author begins the research with the broad question, "What is going on with Korean American Christians in interfaith engagement?" and interrogates more specifically the methods through which they participate in it. Gathering results from ethnographic research, the author claims that Korean American Christians build interfaith relationships through jeong, a collective sentiment many Koreans share. Jeong is an emotional bond that develops and matures over time in interpersonal relationships. As for interfaith engagements, Korean American Christians cultivate organic, messy, affectionate, and sticky relationships, letting jeong seep into their lives across religious, faith, and non-faith lines. The praxis of jeong is analyzed in three categories: (1) love and affection, (2) liberating and healing power, and (3) stickiness and vulnerability.