Song - Empowering Samonims Through Pastoral Care and Counseling Informed by Interdisciplinary Dialogue

2020·1.5 MB·English

by  Kyung Hwa Song

EMPOWERING SAMONIMS THROUGH PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING
INFORMED BY INTERDISCIPLINARY DIALOGUE

A Dissertation
presented to
the Faculty of
Claremont School of Theology

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy

by
Kyung Hwa Song
May 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Kyung Hwa Song
This Dissertation completed by

Kyung Hwa Song
has been presented to and accepted by
the Faculty of the Claremont School of Theology
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
of the degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Faculty Committee
Duane Bidwell, Chairperson
Kathleen Greider
Frank Rogers

Dean of the Faculty
Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook

May 2020
ABSTRACT

EMPOWERING SAMONIMS THROUGH PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING
INFORMED BY INTERDISCIPLINARY DIALOGUE
by
Kyung Hwa Song

This dissertation, as a practical theological reflection, explores the theme of
pastoral care and counseling for Korean pastors’ wives—samonims. I argue that
samonims need empowerment in personal, relational, and systemic dimensions.
Samonims have rarely been the main theme of theological reflection in Korea. Therefore,
this dissertation has as its purpose to make the issue of samonims public among Korean
pastors and theologians as well as lay persons. Another purpose of this dissertation is to
encourage Korean pastoral caregivers and theologians to devise and implement strategies
of pastoral care and counseling for Korean samonims.

This project is structured by following sub-movements of fundamental practical
theology proposed by Don S. Browning—descriptive, historical, systematic, and strategic
practical theology. As a descriptive theological task, I performed phenomenological
research by use of interviews with samonims. For the multi-perspective understanding of
samonims’ experiences, theories of Internal Family Systems therapy and of Relational
Cultural Therapy are employed. For historical and systematic theological reflections,
feminist theology provides insight and wisdom about impact and potential for Christian
traditions on samonims’ situation. For strategic practical theology, based on
interdisciplinary dialogue and consideration of Korean culture, I provide a provisional
pastoral care plan for samonims.
DEDICATION

The process of completing a Ph.D is like becoming pregnant and giving birth to a
baby. I appreciate every single person who has been present with and supportive of me
throughout the process.
As my dissertation committee members stated, this is not my achievement but the
whole family’s achievement. I deeply appreciate my family members for being such
strong supporters throughout the ten-year project. My husband, Yongjun Shin: You have
been my supporter for the length of my long-term study by taking care of our kids, doing
most of the house chores, taking financial responsibility for the family, and being there
for me every time and everywhere. My Ph.D would be impossible without your absolute
support. My adorable daughters, Susie Shin and YeRang Shin: You have cheered me up
whenever I felt weary. You are my source of energy. I thank you two for allowing me to
be your proud mother. Yongjun, Susie, and YeRang: I applaud you for the achievement
we have accomplished together.
I also say thank you to my professors. Duane Bidwell, Kathleen Greider, Frank
Rogers, and Alane Daugherty: During my first semester at CST, I quickly understood the
reason I came to the States. It was to meet you and learn from you. I was deeply
impressed by your professional knowledge and training, pedagogies, personalities, and
your courageous willingness to be vulnerable and candid in front of students. You all are
my teachers, mentors, guides, and role models. I am trying to imitate you in my teaching
profession. Thank you so much for becoming my teachers.
I am grateful to my father and mother, brothers and sister in South Korea for
having been consistent supporters of me regardless of the physical distance between us:
Your strong emotional support helped me a lot, especially when I experienced some
painful difficulties as an international student.
I also want to say thank you to my trustworthy editor, Genevieve Beenen: You
have been my steady company throughout the process since the first semester of my
studying in the States. By your touch, my writings have been transformed to wonderfully
readable masterpieces. You have not only taught me English but have also always
encouraged me to keep going. All my papers, including term papers, qualifying exam
papers, and finally this dissertation, would not have been completed without your
assistance.
I bow down with gratitude to the eight samonims who were willing to be my
interviewees. Your sharing of experiences as samonims was the most precious source of
inspiration and material for this dissertation. I appreciate your trust toward me as a
researcher and a samonim, and your willingness to share your stories.
Finally, I give all honor and gratitude to my God who has allowed me this
precious experience and finally enabled me to achieve my goal. You are the reason I live
and study. I am excited at your next plan for me and my family.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Introduction……………………………….……………………………………1
Discussion of the Problem…………………….…………………………………...2
Discussion of the Thesis……………………….…………………………………..8
Review of Closely Related Literature………….…………………………………10
Methodology and Methods…………………….…………………………………17
Definitions………………………………………………………………………..26
Samonim………………………………………………………………….26
The New Testament and the Old Testament……………….……………..27
Care and Counseling……………………………………………………..27
Audience…………………………………………………………………………28
Scope and Limitations……………………………………………………………29
Originality and Contributions……………………………………….……………31
Outline of the Chapters and Flow of the Argument…………………..…………...33
Chapter 2. Methodology and Methods……………………………………….…………...37
Revised Mutual Critical Correlation………………………………….…………..40
Mutual Critical Correlation………………………………………………40
Danger of Idolatry………………………………………………………..45
Interdisciplinary Dialogue……………………………………….……….49
Fundamental Practical Theology………………………………………….……...51
Descriptive Theology…………………………………………………….52
Historical and Systematic Theology……………………………….……..58
Strategic Practical Theology……………………………………………..60
Phenomenological Research and Epoché………………………………….……..62
Procedure of Empirical Research………………………………………….……..71
vii
Chapter 3. Description of Korean Samonims’ Experience……………………………..…81
Introduction of Interviewees……………………………………………………..82
Description of Themes from the Interviewees…………………………………....85
Category 1. Samonim’s Roles…………………………………………….85
Theme 1-1. Samonim as Mother………………………………….85
Theme 1-2. Invisible Helper and Supporter of Her Husband……..86
Category 2. Ministry……………………………………………………...86
Theme 2-1. Ambiguous Position: Somewhere Between Minister and
Layperson……………………………………………………...…86
Theme 2-2. Joys and Worries Caused by Results of Ministry….....87
Category 3. Family……………………………………………………….88
Theme 3-1. Influence on Marital Relationship…………………...88
Theme 3-2. Difficulties in Raising Children……………………..89
Category 4. Suffering…………………………………………………….90
Theme 4-1. Relational Isolation: No Person with Whom to Talk.90
Theme 4-2. Trapped……………………………………………...91
Theme 4-3. Hardship and Stress…………………………………91
Theme 4-4. Attention and Judgment by Others………………….92
Category 5. Strategy……………………………………………………...93
Theme 5-1. Patience……………………………………………...93
Theme 5-2. Faith and Prayer, the Only Available Way to
Overcome Distress………………………………..………..…….93
Theme 5-3. A Strategy of Managing Stress: Self-Development...94
Category 6. Benefit……………………………………………………....95
Theme 6-1. Special Treatment…………………………………...95
Theme 6-2. Growth of Personal Faith…………………………….95
viii
Theme 6-3. Power and Influence……………………...………….96
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….....97
Chapter 4. Understanding Samonims’ Experience from the IFS Perspective…………....100
Key Concepts of Internal Family Systems Model……………………..………...101
Critical Analysis of IFS for This Project………………………………………...111
Understanding Samonims’ Experiences through IFS……………….…………..121
Exiles……………………………………………………………………121
Managers………………………………………………………………..125
Firefighters……………………………………………………………...127
Self……………………………………………………………………...129
Inner Conflicts……………………………………………………….….133
Implications for Counseling Samonims………………………………………....134
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………...138
Chapter 5. Understanding Samonims’ Experiences from the RCT perspective………..140
Key Concepts of Relational Cultural Therapy………………………………….145
Critical Analysis of RCT for This Dissertation………………………………...150
Understanding Samonims’ Experiences through RCT…………………………158
Five Good Things………………………………………………………159
Disconnection…………………………………………………………..163
Relational Image and Relational Paradox…………………………….…165
Controlling Relational Image…………………………………………...168
Depression and Anger…………………………………………………..171
Strengths and Power……………………………………………………174
Implications for Counseling Samonims………………………………………...178
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………...181
ix
Chapter 6. Historical and Systematic Theologies Guided by Feminist Theology……...183
Christianity and Women………………………………………………………..186
Korean Christianity and Samonims……………………………………………..192
Critical Dialogues………………………………………………………………200
Systematic Theology: Renewed Norm of Love………………………………...204
Love Reflected in the Bible……………………………………………..206
Revision of the Norm of Love: Balance in Threefold Love………….....209
Revision of the Norm of Love: Mutuality……………………………....216
Revision of the Norm of Love: Relational Justice……………………....219
Chapter 7. Anticipating Psychotherapeutic Intervention………………………………..224
Feminist Pastoral Counseling for Samonims…………………………………....225
Listen to Samonims’ Voices…………………………………………….228
Consider Seriously Patriarchal System…………………………………231
Actual Change of the System as the Goal………………………………234
Form Support Groups……….…………………………………………..236
Minimize Power Differences in Relationships between Caregiver and Care-
seeker………………………………………….………………………..238
Boost Self-Care and Self-Esteem…….………………………………...240
Attend to Images of God………………………………………………..244
Issues that Caregivers for Samonims Need to Consider………………………..246
Cultural Differences…………………………………………………….246
Harms Embodied in the Caring Practices…………………………….…253
Pastoral Care/Counseling for Samonims Attuned to Korean Culture………….257
Formation of U-ri Relationship between a Counselor and a Client…….257
Counselor’s Role as a Parent…………………………………………....260
x