Dialogues in Asian American Theology and Ministry Podcast

<p>Akshay John is an aspiring South Asian hip-hop artist who creates music that powerfully addresses real-life questions about the struggles that Indian Americans—especially other Gen Z Christians like himself—may experience. In sharing his journey from Kerala, India to the Middle East, and eventually to the United States, Akshay delves into how his South Asian background, Christian faith, and personal experiences shape his music— and how that same music became a creative outlet. Akshay discusses his struggle with traditional career expectations and his passion for authentically addressing the genuine experiences surrounding mental health and the immigrant experience through his art. Embedded with excerpts of his songs, this is a deep and candid conversation about music, faith, and cultural identity that you won’t want to miss!</p><p>00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome</p><p>01:04 Akshay John’s Musical Journey</p><p>04:14 Early Life and Hip-Hop Influences</p><p>06:45 Faith and Music Intertwined</p><p>10:10 Music as Therapy and Creative Outlet</p><p>15:22 Biographical Journey: From Middle East to the US</p><p>23:12 Exploring Themes of Success and Faith</p><p>26:38 Challenges and Reflections on South Asian Identity</p><p>34:59 Vulnerability, Honesty, and Faith</p><p>43:39 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations</p><p><em>Photo</em> <em>used with permission by Akshay John.</em></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://caacptsem.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">caacptsem.substack.com</a>

<p>Welcome to the CAAC podcast! In this episode, David Chao, Director of the Center for Asian American Christianity, and co-host Josh Livingston, Program Manager at CAAC, sit down with Dr. Chloe Sun, Professor of Old Testament and Program Director of the Chinese Study Center at Fuller Seminary. They discuss Chloe’s book, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802878427/attempt-great-things-for-god/"><em>Attempt Great Things for God: Theological Education in Diaspora,</em></a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802878427/attempt-great-things-for-god/"> </a>exploring the significance of diaspora in theological education, Chloe’s personal migration story, and the necessity of diverse voices in enriching theological discourse. Delve into this thought-provoking conversation about the significance of using one’s heart language to study theology and how migration shapes faith and education!</p><p><em>Photo</em> <em>by </em><a target="_blank" href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Funsplash.com%2F%40bundo%3Futm_source%3Dunsplash%26utm_medium%3Dreferral%26utm_content%3DcreditCopyText&#38;data=05%7C02%7Cfelicia.song%40ptsem.edu%7Cc9b35f146515425bdc4308de329eb5f9%7C6fb1672fa768436d88c81585060baf28%7C0%7C0%7C639003854459328805%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&#38;sdata=gnoweHz01OhQN2m0Xm1pruxP47%2FEV7A1hxm1RtWKVPs%3D&#38;reserved=0"><em>Bundo Kim</em></a><em> on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Funsplash.com%2Fphotos%2Fpeople-on-church-GNDiJoGj_zs%3Futm_source%3Dunsplash%26utm_medium%3Dreferral%26utm_content%3DcreditCopyText&#38;data=05%7C02%7Cfelicia.song%40ptsem.edu%7Cc9b35f146515425bdc4308de329eb5f9%7C6fb1672fa768436d88c81585060baf28%7C0%7C0%7C639003854459361428%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&#38;sdata=TmFODqoc5nDNm%2B9cSwsYvmlS4hpDw%2FWzhXR8l1JwyIc%3D&#38;reserved=0"><em>Unsplash</em></a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://caacptsem.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">caacptsem.substack.com</a>

<p>This presentation by Dr. Daniel Lee, titled “Family and the Bible,” was recorded on October 7, 2025. The lecture is part of the 2025 conference “Biblical Theology in Asian America: Family, Migration, and Divine Presence,” presented by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary and co-hosted with Fuller Theological Seminary’s Chinese Studies Center. You can learn more about this conference here: <a target="_blank" href="https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/btiaa2025/">https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/btiaa2025/</a>.</p><p>This lecture is a response to Dr. Roger Nam’s lecture “Family, Migration, and Economic Survival in the Hebrew Bible: What If ‘Honor Your Father’ Isn’t the Whole Story?,” Dr. Chloe Sun’s lecture “Between Wrestling and Blessing: Jacob and his Messy Family,” and Jessica ChenFeng’s lecture “Relating to the Internal and Relational Wrestlings of Bible Characters: Jacob’s Family in Context.” You can find the recordings here: <a target="_blank" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxGLEaf5FKyHCuImKVmKQRkjPTC67D5gK&#38;si=KJWHpK74BbUmyAKk">https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxGLEaf5FKyHCuImKVmKQRkjPTC67D5gK&si=KJWHpK74BbUmyAKk</a></p><p>Time Stamps</p><p>00:49 Introducing Dr. Daniel D. Lee</p><p>02:35 Reading Scripture with an Asian American Lens</p><p>04:11 The Role of Family in Theology</p><p>06:13 The Doctrine of Scripture and Illumination</p><p>08:09 Wrestling with God: A Covenantal Relationship</p><p>12:00 Empathy and Understanding in Asian American Context</p><p>22:02 Family and Migration: The Asian American Experience</p><p>25:42 Racialization and Family Values</p><p>38:13 Critical Awareness in Reading Scripture</p><p><em>Photo by </em><a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/@anniespratt?utm_source=unsplash&#38;utm_medium=referral&#38;utm_content=creditCopyText"><em>Annie Spratt</em></a><em> on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-couple-of-people-standing-next-to-each-other-Ja9KsaVnzfQ?utm_source=unsplash&#38;utm_medium=referral&#38;utm_content=creditCopyText"><em>Unsplash</em></a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://caacptsem.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">caacptsem.substack.com</a>

<p>This presentation by Dr. Jessica ChenFeng, LMFT, titled “Relating to the Internal and Relational Wrestlings of Bible Characters: Jacob’s Family in Context,” was recorded on October 7, 2025. The lecture is part of the 2025 conference “Biblical Theology in Asian America: Family, Migration, and Divine Presence,” presented by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary and co-hosted with Fuller Theological Seminary’s Chinese Studies Center. You can learn more about this conference here: <a target="_blank" href="https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/btiaa2025/">https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/btiaa2025/</a>.</p><p>Description: “We each grew up with a relationship to characters of the Bible: which character was someone to emulate? Who was not the ideal model for a leader, a parent, or spouse? These assessments can sometimes parallel the way our families talked about relatives or community members: the good daughter who takes care of her parents, the terrible church elder who squandered money or the faithful pastor who sacrifices so much. In this presentation, we consider Jacob’s family system: intergenerational and gendered hopes, betrayal, alignment and rejection that allow us opportunities to connect with their contextual realities and curiosities for our own Asian American Christian lives today. We will consider the complex nuances of Bible characters beyond the one-dimensional individual perspectives of their personhood and behaviors.</p><p>“This presentation will invite attendees to reconsider our assessments (judgements) of Bible characters and increase our empathy (of others and self) through understanding Jacob’s family with a sociocontextual and relational lens. It will highlight relationships in context, reflecting on dynamics of rupture and opportunities for repair.”</p><p>Jessica ChenFeng, PhD, LMFT is an associate professor of marriage and family therapy at Fuller Theological Seminary. She has been a practicing MFT for almost 20 years and consults with academic, healthcare and church organizations to improve the well-being of people within their relationships and communities. She is the director of Fuller’s Asian American Well-being Collaboratory. Her research, clinical and community work center around Asian American identities/relationships, generation, trauma, and Christian spirituality. She resides in the greater Los Angeles area with her spouse and two children. Whenever she gets the chance, she loves reconnecting with her love for analogue: paper planners and stationery, baking, and sewing.</p><p>Time Stamps:</p><p>00:51 Introducing Dr. Jessica ChenFeng</p><p>02:11 Dr. ChenFeng’s Personal Journey and Calling</p><p>04:24 Exploring Wellbeing and Belonging</p><p>06:11 Engaging with Bible Characters in Context</p><p>12:25 Intergenerational Impacts and Personal Stories</p><p>19:44 Understanding Relationships and Systems</p><p>23:57 Empathy and Complexity in Relationships</p><p>35:17 Conclusion: Pursuing Fullness of Life</p><p><em>Photo by </em><a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/@dilip_28?utm_source=unsplash&#38;utm_medium=referral&#38;utm_content=creditCopyText"><em>Dilip Poddar</em></a><em> on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-view-of-the-mountains-from-a-high-point-of-view-hx_s_z7vw8I?utm_source=unsplash&#38;utm_medium=referral&#38;utm_content=creditCopyText"><em>Unsplash</em></a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://caacptsem.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">caacptsem.substack.com</a>

<p>This presentation by Dr. Chloe Sun, titled “Between Wrestling and Blessing: Jacob and his Messy Family,” was recorded on October 7, 2025. The lecture is part of the 2025 conference “Biblical Theology in Asian America: Family, Migration, and Divine Presence,” presented by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary and co-hosted with Fuller Theological Seminary’s Chinese Studies Center. You can learn more about this conference here: <a target="_blank" href="https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/btiaa2025/">https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/btiaa2025/</a>.</p><p>Description: This presentation examines Jacob’s family dynamics, including his experience as a migrant and its impact on his social location as an ethnic minority within a dominant culture, his ongoing struggles with his brother, his relationships with his elder sons, and his daughter Dinah. It also explores generational patterns such as parental favoritism, sibling rivalry, barrenness, and fatherly passivity. Additionally, it highlights how God’s election of Jacob and Jacob’s mediation of God’s blessings show that even amidst family chaos, grace and purpose can be found. The presentation aims to illustrate that despite the complexity of many Asian American families, there is hope for reconciliation and for God’s purposes to be fulfilled.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://fuller.edu/faculty/chloe-sun/">Chloe T. Sun</a> is Professor of Old Testament and the Program Director of the Chinese Studies Center at Fuller Seminary. She previously taught at Logos Evangelical Seminary in Los Angeles. She publishes in both Chinese and English and conducts Bible seminars locally and internationally in Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Europe. Her recent English publications include <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802878427/attempt-great-things-for-god/">Attempt Great Things for God: Theological Education in Diaspora</a> (Eerdmans, 2020), <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ivpress.com/conspicuous-in-his-absence?srsltid=AfmBOorRPw3Z6E-gX41NArQlxmLxbZKcK7HJ8csTmHXEGaU7DwzvscPt">Conspicuous in His Absence: Studies in the Song of Songs and Esther</a> (IVP Academic, 2021), and <a target="_blank" href="https://langhamliterature.org/exodus">Exodus, A Pastoral and Contextual Commentary</a> (Langham, 2024).</p><p>Time Stamps</p><p>00:37 Introducing Dr. Chloe Sun</p><p>01:44 Jacob’s Family in Genesis</p><p>03:10 Sibling Rivalry and Divine Favoritism</p><p>04:47 Migration and Identity</p><p>05:02 Jacob’s Identity</p><p>10:16 Jacob’s Migration Experiences</p><p>18:25 Jacob as a Father</p><p>28:04 Divine Blessing and Reconciliation</p><p>35:49 Conclusion: Family Dynamics and Divine Presence</p><p><em>Photo by </em><a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/@salaheregouane?utm_source=unsplash&#38;utm_medium=referral&#38;utm_content=creditCopyText"><em>Salah Regouane</em></a><em> on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-herd-of-sheep-standing-on-top-of-a-dirt-field-C9Xp0joSo3w?utm_source=unsplash&#38;utm_medium=referral&#38;utm_content=creditCopyText"><em>Unsplash</em></a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://caacptsem.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">caacptsem.substack.com</a>