“Strangers and Exiles”: Christian Identity as the Foundation for Counseling Korean Americans

Abstract

This thesis (1) examines the experience of Korean Americans, both sociologically and generationally and (2) establishes that Christian identity is an essential element for Korean Americans to endure challenging life situations. In sum, this thesis argues the significance of Christian identity as the foundation for counseling Korean Americans who struggle with identity issues.

Chapter 1 examines the common sociocultural factors and psychological problems that the three generations of Korean Americans experience as they live in the United States. Chapter 2 demonstrates the superiority of Christian identity over worldly identity, the centrality of the biblical metanarrative in establishing Christian identity, and the significance of Christian identity displayed through the stories of the three immigrants in Scripture. Chapter 3 articulates the two natures of Christian identity—the gospel indicative and the gospel imperative—and how biblical counselors can deploy these theological truths in counseling Korean Americans.