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Rev Associate Professor Sung Rual Choi

Associate Professor of Theology; Korean Higher Degree Research Director

Biography

Sung Rual oversees the Korean-language HDR programs at AC, and is an Associate Professor of Theology with expertise in the Reformed tradition. His previous roles have include lecturing at Wesley Institute and at SCD's Korean School of Theology.

Sung Rual attained his PhD in systematic theology from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, for a thesis on union with Christ in the theology of Calvin. His publications include the books Union with Christ: Re-reading Calvin in Korean-American Reformed Theology, and A New and Effective Manual for Academic Writing and Research Methods. He has supervised widely in AC's doctoral programs, and in 2024 received the Excellence in HDR Supervision Award from AC. He is a member of the Korean Society of Systematic Theology and the Korea Association of Christian Studies.

Sung Rual is a member of the Theology and Society research cluster.

Qualifications

Ph.D. (Stellenbosch University, South Africa), Union with Christ? Re-reading Calvin as Constructive Proposal for Korean Calvin Reception – 2015

MTh (Wesley Institute) – 2010

BTh (Sydney College of Divinity) – 2005

BTh (Wesley Institute) – 2005

Cert IV TAE (Inspire Education) – 2019

Cert IV TAE (Morley Training Centre) – 2016

  • Research Publications

    Books

    • 2023
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2023). Union with Christ: Re-reading Calvin in Korean-American Reformed Theology. Wipf & Stock. | External link | AC Link

    Book Chapters

    • 2024
      • Sung Rual Choi (2024). Institutes of the Christian Religion and John Calvin’s Theological Structure In The Society of Reformed Theology, Comfort and Care in the Church: A Reformed Theological Understanding of Pastoral Ministry (pp. 73-101). Seoul: Eutteum Publisher. | External link | AC Link
    • 2023
      • Sung Rual Choi (2023). Christology and John Calvin’s Union with Christ In Korean Society of Systematic Theology, Life and Theology (pp. 126-145). Seoul: The Society of Reformed Theology. | External link | AC Link
    • 2022
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2022). Church and Theology in the New Normal Era In Korean Society of Systematic Theology, The Essence of the Church from the Perspective of “Union with Christ” (Únĭo cum Christo): Focusing on the Analysis of John Calvin’s Institutes of Christianity” (pp. 111-132). Seoul: Korean Society of Systematic Theology. | External link
    • 2021
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2021). Theology and the Church in the Post-COVID-19 Era In Korean Society of Systematic Theology, Theology Christology from the perspective of Calvin's Únĭo cum Christo Thought: Focusing on Interpretation of Incarnātio (pp. 43-58). Seoul: Korean Society of Systematic Theology. | External link | AC Link
    • 2016
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2016). 57th Academic Conference of Korean Society of Systematic Theology In Choi, Sung Rual, Union with the Triune God Thought? Re-reading Calvin (pp. 1-15). Seoul: Korean Society of Systematic Theology. | External link

    Journal Articles

    • 2024
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2024). A Study on the Theological Connection between Christology and Calvin’s Union with Christ (Únio cum Christo): Focusing on Incarnation (Incarnātio) and Hypostatic Union (Únio Hypostática). Korea Association of Christian Studies, Vol. 131 133-166. | External link | AC Link
      • Sung Rual Choi (2024). A Study on John Calvin’s Theological Structure as a Suggestion for Re-reading His Theology: Focusing on Institutes of the Christian Religion and “ Union with Christ” Thought. Korea Reformed Journal, Vol. 70 211-250. | External link | AC Link
    • 2023
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2023). Christology at the Centre of Migration Theology: Focusing on the Doctrine of Incarnation and the Threefold Offices of Christ from the Perspective of John Calvin's Union with Christ Thought. Korean Journal of Systematic Theology, No. 71 181-217. | External link
    • 2022
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2022). A Study of Ecclesiology Interpretation from the Viewpoint of Calvin’s Union with Christ and Union with the Triune God: Focusing on the Institutes of the Christian Religion. Text and Context, Vol. 6 202-232. | AC Link
    • 2021
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2021). A Critical Study of Christ's Personality from the Perspective of Calvin’s Union with Christ and Union with the Triune God. Text and Context, Vol. 5 228-260. | AC Link
    • 2016
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2016). Re-reading Calvin's Theology: Through the Viewpoint of 'Union with Christ' Thought. Korean Journal of Systematic Theology, 45. | External link

  • Scholarship

    Internal and External Grants

    • 2025
      • AC Conference Funding, $3000, Alphacrucis University College
    • 2024
      • AC Conference Funding, $2000, AC
      • Excellence in HDR Supervision Award, $500, Alphacrucis University College
      • The Society of Reformed Theology (Research Grant), $600, The Society of Reformed Theology
    • 2023
      • AC Conference Funding, $2000, AC
      • Korean Systematic Theologian Conference (Research Grant), $600, Korean Society of Systematic Theology
    • 2022
      • Korean Systematic Theologian Conference (Research Grant), $600, Korean Society of Systematic Theology
    • 2021
      • Korean Systematic Theologian Conference (Research Grant), $500, Korean Society of Systematic Theology
      • PhD Write Up Grant, $1500, AC Research Incentives Program
    • 2020
      • Higher Education Industry -Academic Staff- Award, Alphacrucis College
    • 2016
      • Korean Systematic Theologian Workshop (Research Grant), $500, Korean Society of Systematic Theology
    • 2015
      • Full Scholarships (Merit Bursary) of PhD Research, $10000, Stellenbosch University
      • The Hope Project Scholarships (Postgraduate Scholarship, Promotion of Human Dignity), $1000, Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University

    Presentations

    • 2024
      • A Theological Interconnectedness between John Calvin’s Theological Structure and the Institutes of the Christian Religion (2024), The 41st Annual Academic Conference of the Society for Reformed Theology, Seoul, Korea (Chongshin University), 12 Oct 2024
    • 2023
      • Life and Science (2023), 18th National Conference of Korean Systematic Theologians, Sat Apr 22 2023,, Yonsei University Ruth Chapel, 22 Apr 2023
      • (with Prof. Barobon Kim) Providence and Christology at the Center of Migration Theology (2023), 18th Korean Society of Systematic Theologians Conference, Seoul, Korea, 22 Apr 2023
    • 2022
      • (with Prof. Sun-Kwon Kim) The Essence of the Church from the Perspective of “Union with Christ” (Únĭo cum Christo) (2022), 17th Korean Society of Systematic Theologians Conference, Seoul, Korea, 24 Sep 2022
    • 2021
      • (with Prof. Oh-Gab Lee) Christology from the Perspective of Calvin's Únĭo cum Christo Thought (2021), 16th Korean Society of Systematic Theologians Conference, Seoul, Korea, 11 Sep 2021
      • Research Methodology Seminar (2021), Research Methodology (Zoom Seminar), Auckland/New Zeland, 20 Apr 2021
      • Introduction of Systematic Theology (2021), Introduction of Systematic Theology (Intensive Course, Zoom Lecture), Auckland, New Zeland, 19 Apr 2021
    • 2020
      • Research Methodology Seminar (2020), Research Methodology (Zoom Seminar), Auckland/New Zeland, 15 Apr 2020
      • Introduction of Systematic Theology (2020), Introduction of Systematic Theology (Intensive Course, Zoom Lecture), Auckland, New Zeland, 14 Apr 2020
    • 2019
      • (with Prof. Hyung Yong Park) The Era of Changing and the Role of Theology - Interdisciplinary Convergence, Its Necessities and Directions (2019), Sydney, Autralia, 21 Feb 2019
    • 2016
      • Introduction of Systematic Theology (2016), Introduction of Systematic Theology (Intensive Course), Melbourne, Australia, 17 Jul 2016
      • Preaching (2016), Church preaching, Seoul, South Korea, 03 Jan 2016
      • A Research Presenter (2016), Korean Society of Systematic Theology’s Academic Seminar, Seoul, Korea, 01 Jan 2016
    • 2015
      • A Research Presenter (2015), PhD Candidates’ Academic Seminar, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, 24 Apr 2015

    Professional Memberships


    Korea Calvin Society (since 2015)

    Korean Association of Christian Studies (since 2021)

    Korean Research Committee of Sydney College of Divinity (since 2016)

    Korean Society of Systematic Theology (since 2015)

    Korea Reformed Theology Society (since 2022)

    The Australia Presbytery of Korean Presbyterian Church of Abroad (since 2008)

    The Society of Reformed Theology (since 2015)


  • Teaching

    RES101 Introduction to Academic Writing and Research
    RES401 Postgraduate Research and Writing
    RES701 Research Methods
    RES801 Survey of Research Methods
    RES802 Research Thesis
    RES803 PhD Research Thesis
    HIS102 Church History Foundations
    HIS402 Church History Foundations
    ANL151 New Testament Greek 1

  • Supervision

    • Current
      • Kang, H, A Study of Calvin’s Christology from the Viewpoint of “Únĭo cum Christo” Thought for Establishing Korean Diaspora Theology in Australia: Focused on TrĭplexMunus Christiand Incarnátĭo (PhD thesis)
      • Kim, Y, A New Approach Study on Korean-Chinese Religious Identity from the Out-of-Marginality of Multicultural Theology of Centered on Union with Christ and Soteriology (PhD thesis)
      • Han, J, A Study on the Critique of Jonathan Edwards’ Pneumatology: Focusing on the Trinitarian Theology (PhD thesis)
      • Jo, S, A Study on the Relationship between Double Grace and Covenant of John Calvin: Focus on the Predestination and Work of the Triune God (PhD thesis)
      • Son, H, A Study on the Relations between God and Man from a Theological Perspective of “Trinitarianism,” “Hypostatic Union,” and “Mystical Union” 신인 관계신학적 관점에서 본"삼위일체론," "위격적 연합," "신비적 연합": 존 웨슬리의 칭의와 성화, 견인을 중심으로 (PhD thesis)
      • Kwak, S, (PhD thesis)
      • Chang, H, A Study of the Re-establishment toward a Discipleship Theology for the Korean Diaspora in Australia: Focused on the Meaning Analysis of “ἀνάθεμα” (PhD thesis)
      • Chung, H, Parental Education Plan for the Development of Youth Children’s Intimacy with God: Focusing on the Korean Church in Australia (PhD thesis)
      • Sung, S, A Systematic Model of Care through Christian (Biblical) Counseling for Korean Immigrant Families in Australia: Focusing on the Encounter between Family play therapy and coaching (PhD thesis)
      • Lee, H, A Study on Healing and Restoration for Multicultural Individuals with Disabilities in Australia through the Disability Theology Approach: Focusing on the ‘NDIS’ and ‘SILOAM Model’ of John 9 (PhD thesis)
      • An, S, A Study on the Grounds and Practices of Diaspora Theology for the transformation of Korean Church in Australia in post - Christendom: Focus on Missional Hermeneutic A Historical Theological Critical Study on Post Christendom Ideologies of the Korean Ch (PhD thesis)
      • Son, L, Future Alternatives to Smartphone (SNS) Addiction among Australian Multicultural Youth: Focusing on Christian Education Counseling (PhD thesis)
      • Ra, H, Enhanced Future Mission In Korea Through A Study Of The Australian Presbyterian Church’s Mission Policy And Its Implementation In Seoul And The Kyungnam Area (1940s-1990s) (PhD thesis)
      • Bae, H, 노령화 사회에서의 노인의문제와 교회의 역할 (MPhil thesis)
      • Park, Y, Legal Rhetoric and Geo-spatial Approach in Romans 11:25: Focusing on Romans 9-11 and 15 n Romans 11:25 (PhD thesis)
      • Chin, Y, Luke 4:16-19: A Theological and Socio-scientific Interpretation of Korean Diaspora in Australia for the Search of their Political and Social Identity (Re-interpreting the Holy Spirit and Gospel Accounts in the Gospel of Luke from the Perspective of Minjun (PhD thesis)
      • Koo, S, Future Alternatives to Smartphone (SNS) Addiction among Australian Multicultural Youth: Focusing on Christian Education Counseling (MPhil thesis)
      • Park, M, NDIS + 노인복지 +신학 (PhD thesis)
    • Completed
      • 2023
        • Han, D, A Critical Study of the Hereafter-worldview between Christianity and Islam, Focused on Orientalism, for Inter-religious Dialogue within the Context of a Multicultural City in Melbourne, Australia (PhD thesis)
        • Yoo, S, Research on Cosmopolitanism in the 21st Century and Empathic Mission theology (PhD thesis)
      • 2022
        • Lim, Y, Study of Christian Education Paradigm for the Development of the Identity of the 2nd Generation Korean Young Adults in Australia: Focus on the Ricoeur’s Narrative Identity Theory (PhD thesis)
        • Cho, R, A Contextual Reshaping of the Theology of the Cross: Moving Beyond Prosperity Theology in the Korean-Australian Diaspora (PhD thesis)
      • 2021
        • Shin, H, A Study on Pastoral Application of Justification for Restoration of Korean Church & Korean Churches in Australia: Focused on the Righteousness of Matthew and John (DMin thesis)
      • 2020
        • Park, Y, A Critique of the Eschatology of the Korean Heresies and a Study on the Pastoral Strategies to Cope with Them for the Korean Diaspora in Australia: Focusing on the Groups, 'Goowonpa' and 'Shincheonji' (DMin thesis)
      • 2018
        • Won Il Jung, Re-reading Calvin's Pneumatology: Focusing on Trinitarian Theology and the Idea of “union with Christ” (Masters Project/Thesis)
        • Eun Kyu Kim, Re-reading Calvin's Eucharist Theology: Centered around the Idea of “Union with the Triune God” (Masters Project/Thesis)
      • 2017
        • Kwang Jin Choi, Rereading Calvin's Eucharist: From the Viewpoint of Union with Christ (Masters Project/Thesis)
        • Jong Pil Woo, A Study of Calvin's Sanctification: From the Perspective of Union with Christ (Masters Project/Thesis)
        • Lee, Andrew, Overcoming the Crisis of Korean Churches in the 21st Century by Recognizing the Importance of 'Relationship' through the Study of the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and Restoring the Relationship through the Practice of Cross Theology (Masters Project/Thesis)
      • 2016
        • Grace Choi, A Study of Understanding Calvin's Trinitarian Theology from a Synthetic Viewpoint (Masters Project/Thesis)
        • Haing-seop Kim, Research on Calvin’s Understanding about Eucharist, Based on Trinitarian Theology – Centering on the Idea "Union with Christ" (Bachelors Honours Thesis)