Hyangjin (Joy) Park, PhD (Cand.)

I was born into a devout Christian family. I graduated with a BA in Education from Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, and an MDiv with an emphasis in pastoral studies from Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago. I served as Children’s Pastor and Director of Education at the Naperville Chicago Onnuri Church for three years. I currently attend Village Church of Lincolnshire.

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CBHD Appoints New Orr Fellow

Get to know Hyangjin (Joy) Park, the 2024-2025 Robert D. Orr Fellow

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What are you studying at TEDS and why?

I am pursuing my PhD in Theological Studies and currently studying the Old Testament, with an emphasis on Old Testament Hebrew, Literature, and Exegesis. While I was pursuing my MDiv at Moody Theological Seminary, God touched my heart and inspired me to become more passionate about studying the Old Testament. By his grace, God also opened the door for me to continue my study of the Old Testament at TEDS.

What do you want to do in the future?

I believe that God has trained me to be a qualified teacher of the Old Testament. I hope become a faithful scholar who can provide sound guidance to laypeople, helping them better understand the Bible and live out faith in their lives.

What drew you to apply for the Orr Fellowship?

My doctoral studies at TEDS have allowed me to learn about interdisciplinary research in theological studies. This influence has led me to become more interested in studying critical and practical issues from a biblical and theological foundation. I would like to contribute to a Christian understanding of bioethical issues in our contemporary society. I hope that my bioethics research will present meaningful implications for ongoing bioethical issues.

What have you been learning in your role thus far?

I have been learning about how theological discourse on bioethical issues has progressed, and I have realized how meaningful these discussions are for Christians to better address ethical issues based on the Bible.