ApplyEnquire
Alphacrucis Logo link to homepage
Sung_Rual_Choi_pic

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

    • 2025
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2025). Rereading ‘The Essence of the Church’ and ‘Various Themes in Ecclesiology’?: Focusing on Calvin’s ‘Únĭo cum Christo In Young Wook Chang, Yong Joon Kwon, Kyu Bo Kim, Young Mi Lee, Sung Rual Choi, Chae Nam Lim, Dong Yeol Lee, Pastoral Changes and Strategies in the Multicultural Era (pp. 91-123). Korean Society of Evangelical Practical Theology. | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2025). The Close Connection Between the Gospel and “Union with Christ” Thought in Calvin’s Theology In Shin Yeol Lee, Ji Hye Kim, Sung Rual Choi, Calvin and Science (pp. 1-19). Korea Calvin Society. | AC Link
    • 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

  • 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

  • Engagement Publications


    Books
    • 2020
      • Choi, S.R.(2020). A New and Effective Manual for Academic Writing and Research Method. .
    Popular Articles
    • 2019
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Worldview Seen through "Tears of Africa". Page 96., Vol.33, No.1566Page, 96.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Worldview Seen through the Perspective "Christ and Culture of H. Richard Niebuhr". The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1589Page, 83.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Worldview Seen through “Touch” Perspective of Tiffany Field. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1565Page, 96.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Patricia's Birthday and Biblical Values. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1567Page, 96.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). “The Lord of the Rings” and Biblical Values. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1564Page, 96.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Education Values Seen through the Perspective of “Augustinus” and “Thomas Aquinas”. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1587Page, 83.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). "SKY Castle" and Prosperity Gospel. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1563Page, 96.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Worldview Seen through the Perspective of the "Stockdale Paradox". The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1583Page, 96.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). The Motivity Power of Love That Is Very Noble and Pure. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1562Page, 244.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Worldview Seen through the Perspectives of "the Philosophy of Mathematics of Ludwig Josef Johan Wittgenstein" and "Rethinking Christ and Culture: A Post-Christendom Perspective". The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1588Page, 83.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). A Christian Education Worldview Seen through the Oral-B Case. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1582Page, 96.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Worldview Seen through the Perspective of “Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham for Graduates” and “Imitatio Christi of Thomas a Kempis”. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1586Page, 83.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Values Seen through the Perspective of the Camel Story and the “Man the Dwelling Place of God”. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1585Page, 96.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Worldview Seen through the Perspective of Biblical Economic Ethics and the Love of Christ. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1590Page, 83.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Values Seen through a Doping Scandal Case and "That Incredible Christian". The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1584Page, 96.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Worldview Seen through "The Four Loves of C. S. Lewis" and "Institutio Christianae Religionis of John Calvin". The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1598Page, 83.. | External link | AC Link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Blessed That Disguised and Came. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1561Page, 96.. | External link
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2019). Christian Worldview Seen through Phil Pringle of C3 Church and the Perspective of Possession. The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.33, No.1600Page, 83.. | External link | AC Link
    • 2018
      • Choi, Sung Rual (2018). Rereading leadership seen through the glasses of "N Leadership". The Weekly Korean Life Magazine, Vol.32, No.1560Page, 96.. | External link

  • 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)



  • Supervision

    • Current
      • Han, J, A Trinitarian Critique of Jonathan Edwards’ Pneumatology (PhD thesis)
      • Jo, S, Double Grace and Covenant in John Calvin’s Theology: Predestination and the Work of the Triune God (PhD thesis)
      • Son, H, The Relationship between God and Humanity: Trinitarian, Christological, and Mystical Perspectives (PhD thesis)
      • Kwak, S, (PhD thesis)
      • Cho, Y, (PhD thesis)
      • Chung, H, Parental Faith Education and Children’s Spiritual Formation in Korean Churches in Australia (PhD thesis)
      • Sung, S, A Systematic Christian Counseling Model for Korean Immigrant Families in Australia: Integrating Family Play Therapy and Coaching (PhD thesis)
      • Lee, H, Healing, Disability, and Theology in Multicultural Australia: A Study of the NDIS and the Siloam Model of John 9 (PhD thesis)
      • Son, L, Christian Educational and Counseling Approaches to Smartphone Addiction among Multicultural Youth in Australia (PhD thesis)
      • Ra, H, Australian Presbyterian Mission Policy and Its Impact on Korean Mission Practice: Seoul and the Gyeongnam Region (1940s–1990s) (PhD thesis)
      • Koo, S, Union of Christ in the Johannine Literature: An Exegetical and Theological Study (PhD thesis)
      • Park, M, Theological Engagement with the NDIS and Elderly Welfare in Australia (PhD thesis)
    • Completed
      • Back to Main Site

      Internal server error

      Sorry, there seems to be an error. Please try again soon.

      Alphacrucis University College Ltd | ABN: 13072747187
      RTO: 90525 | TEQSA: PRV12006 ‘University College’ | CRICOS: 00958A

  • Projects