Sung works within the paradigm of liberation theology and can be considered a "next generation" or "third generation" theologian-practitioner. He is particularly concerned with the relationship between theology and the economy as well as education theory in view of solidarity.
Though he may be viewed as rejecting the idea that some sort of historical subject, whether God, the proletariat, or even a particular set of social institutions, will bring into history the utopian dream of a truly just, peaceful, and harmonious society, he is not passive in the face of injustice. Sung has worked directly with basic ecclesial communities as an advisor, speaking regularly at various ecumenical events that focus on justice and solidarity, and writing scholarly books as well as those aimed directly at those laypersons who are involved in particular struggles for justice. He speaks passionately about justice, while having a sense of what may be temporally attainable.
Early life
Sung was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1957 as the eldest son of Sung Nak-cheon (성낙천; 成洛天).[1][2] He attended the Samcheong Elementary School there before moving to Paraná, Brazil with his family in 1966.[2] He has remained there ever since.
He has served as an informal associate of the "Departamento Ecuménico de Investigaciones," a research institute in Costa Rica founded by Franz Hinkelammert, Hugo Assmann and Pablo Richard Guzmán.
Impact abroad
Several of Sung's texts have been translated into Korean, Italian, Spanish, English and German.
The publication of Desire, Market and Religion in 2007 brought Sung's work into English as the sole author of a book-length project for the first time. He has gained prominence and exposure in the USA, speaking, for example, at the American Academy of Religion.
Jung Mo Sung's work is mainly based on Spanish- and Portuguese-language academic discourse in Latin America. However, his work has also been discussed in international publications, including:
"The Future of Liberation Theology: An Argument and Manifesto" by Ivan Petrella
"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy: The Making Over of Liberation Theology, A Queer Discursive Approach" by Ivan Petrella
Latin American Perspectives on Globalization: Ethics, Politics" by Mario Sáenz
Across Borders: Latin Perspectives in the Americas Reshaping Religion, Theology, and Life, edited by Joerg Rieger. Lexington Books, 2013
The Subject, Capitalism and Religion: Horizons of Hope in Complex Society. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.
Beyond the Spirit of Empire: Theology and Politics in a New Key by Joerg Rieger Page, Jung Mo Sung, and Nestor Miguez. SCM Reclaiming Liberation Theology Series, 2009.
"Theology, Spirituality, and the Market," in: Another Possible World, eds. Marcella Althaus-Reid, Ivan Petrella, and Luiz Carlos Susin. SCM Press, 2007.
"What Is Behind the Notification of Jon Sobrino?" in Getting the Poor Down from the Cross: Christology of Liberation, José María VIGIL (organizer), International Theological Commission of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians, 2007.
"The Human Being as Subject: Defending the Victims," in: Latin American Liberation Theology: The Next Generation, ed. Ivan Petrella. Orbis Books, 2005.
"Economics and Theology: Reflections on the Market, Globalization, and the Kingdom of God," in: Global Capitalism, Liberation Theology and the Social Sciences, eds. P. M. Zulehner, A. Tausch, A. Müller. Nova Science, 2000.
"Hunger For God, Hunger For Bread, Hunger For Humanity," in: Hope and Justice for All in the Americas: Discerning God's Mission, ed. Oscar Bolioli. New York: Friendship Press, 1998.
Portuguese
Pensamento crítico e profecia: 100 anos do 'Capitalismo como Religião' de Walter Benjamin (with Allan Coelho) 2022
O caminho espiritual para a felicidade 2021
Direitos humanos e amor ao próximo: textos teológicos em diálogo com a vida real. São Paulo: Recriar, 2020. (with Ivone Gebara)
Idolatria do dinheiro e direitos humanos: uma crítica teológica do novo mito do capitalismo. São Paulo: Paulus, 2018.
A graça de Deus e a loucura do mundo. São Paulo: Reflexão, 2016. (ISBN 978-85-8088-153-0, 191 pp.)
Para além do espírito do Império. São Paulo: Paulinas, 2012. (with Néstor Míguez and Joerg Rieger)
Missão e educação teológica. São Paulo: ASTE, 2011 (with Néstor Miguez and Lauri Wirth)
Deus em nós: o reinado que acontece no amor solidário aos pobres" (with Hugo Assmann), Paulus, 2010.
Cristianismo de Libertação", Paulus, 2008.
Um Caminho Espiritual para a Felicidade, Vozes, 2007.
Educar para Reencantar a Vida, Vozes, 2006.
Sementes de Esperança: A Fé em um Mundo em Crise, Vozes, 2005.
Competência e Sensibilidade Solidária: Educar para Esperança, with Hugo Assmann, Vozes, 2000.
Conversando sobre Ética e Sociedade, Vozes, 1995.
Teologia e Economia: Repensando A Teologia da Libertação e Utopias, Vozes, 1994.
Deus Numa Economia Sem Coração. Neoliberalismo e Pobreza: Desafios À Evangelização, Paulus, 1992.
References
^ ab김항섭 [Kim Hang-seop] (May 2008). "라틴아메리카 속의 한국ㆍ한국인: 브라질 해방신학자 성정모" [Korea and Koreans in Latin America: Brazilian liberation theologian Sung Jung-mo] (PDF). TransLatin (2). Retrieved 2013-12-21.