@article{ART003240403},
author={Insu Lee and Kim Ki-Hyun},
title={Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person},
journal={The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics},
issn={1229-8387},
year={2025},
number={62},
pages={427-457}
TY - JOUR
AU - Insu Lee
AU - Kim Ki-Hyun
TI - Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person
JO - The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics
PY - 2025
VL - null
IS - 62
PB - The Society Of Korean Christian Social Ethics
SP - 427
EP - 457
SN - 1229-8387
AB - This paper reinterprets Abraham Joshua Heschel’s understanding of the human being through the hermeneutical framework of “life beyond being.” While previous studies tend to reduce Heschel to a practitioner-oriented ethical thinker, this study critically argues that his anthropology is grounded in an ontological structure that precedes practice. “Life beyond being” understands the human not as a static substance (being), but as engaged in relational and responsive living, constituting existence through responding to the call of God and the other. The foundation of this responsiveness lies in the concept of divine pathos, whereby God deeply engages with human history and suffering. This pathos reflects God’s living concern for humanity, and human existence is fulfilled through responding to this divine appeal. This process is concretized in what Heschel calls transitive concern—a living flow of response that occurs between God and humans, and between human beings themselves. Heschel’s thought does not dichotomize practice and being, but rather integrates practice as the expression of being. Based on this perspective, the paper seeks to reestablish the discourse of Christian social ethics on an ontological foundation, suggesting a new structure of theological ethics grounded in the existential categories of relation, response, and responsibility.
KW - Abraham Joshua Heschel;Life beyond Being;Christian Social Ethics;Relational Being;Transitive Concern;Divine Pathos
DO -
UR -
ER -
Insu Lee and Kim Ki-Hyun. (2025). Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person. The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics, 62, 427-457.
Insu Lee and Kim Ki-Hyun. 2025, "Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person", The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics, no.62, pp.427-457.
Insu Lee, Kim Ki-Hyun "Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person" The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics 62 pp.427-457 (2025) : 427.
Insu Lee, Kim Ki-Hyun. Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person. 2025; 62 : 427-457.
Insu Lee and Kim Ki-Hyun. "Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person" The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics no.62(2025) : 427-457.
Insu Lee; Kim Ki-Hyun. Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person. The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics, 62, 427-457.
Insu Lee; Kim Ki-Hyun. Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person. The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics. 2025; 62 427-457.
Insu Lee, Kim Ki-Hyun. Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person. 2025; 62 : 427-457.
Insu Lee and Kim Ki-Hyun. "Life Beyond Being: A Critical Reconsideration of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Understanding of the Human Person" The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics no.62(2025) : 427-457.
