What was clear to the original readers of Scripture is not always clear to us. Because of the cultural distance between the biblical world and our contemporary setting, we often bring modern Western biases to the text. For example: * When Western readers hear Paul exhorting women to "dress modestly,"...
What was clear to the original readers of Scripture is not always clear to us. Because of the cultural distance between the biblical world and our contemporary setting, we often bring modern Western biases to the text. For example: * When Western readers hear Paul exhorting women to "dress modestly," we automatically think in terms of sexual modesty. But most women in that culture would never wear racy clothing. The context suggests that Paul is likely more concerned about *economic* modesty--that Christian women not flaunt their wealth through expensive clothes, braided hair and gold jewelry. * Some readers might assume that Moses married "below himself" because his wife was a dark-skinned Cushite. Actually, Hebrews were the slave race, not the Cushites, who were highly respected. Aaron and Miriam probably thought Moses was being presumptuous by marrying "above himself." * Western individualism leads us to assume that Mary and Joseph traveled alone to Bethlehem. What went without saying was that they were likely accompanied by a large entourage of extended family.
Biblical scholars Brandon O'Brien and Randy Richards shed light on the ways that Western readers often misunderstand the cultural dynamics of the Bible. They identify nine key areas where modern Westerners have significantly different assumptions about what might be going on in a text. Drawing on their own crosscultural experience in global mission, O'Brien and Richards show how better self-awareness and understanding of cultural differences in language, time and social mores allow us to see the Bible in fresh and unexpected ways. Getting beyond our own cultural assumptions is increasingly important for being Christians in our interconnected and globalized world. Learn to read Scripture as a member of the global body of Christ.
What was clear to the original readers of Scripture is not always clear to us. Because of the cultural distance between the biblical world and our contemporary setting, we often bring modern Western biases to the text. For example: * When Western readers hear Paul exhorting women to "dress modestly,"...
What was clear to the original readers of Scripture is not always clear to us. Because of the cultural distance between the biblical world and our contemporary setting, we often bring modern Western biases to the text. For example: * When Western readers hear Paul exhorting women to "dress modestly," we automatically think in terms of sexual modesty. But most women in that culture would never wear racy clothing. The context suggests that Paul is likely more concerned about *economic* modesty--that Christian women not flaunt their wealth through expensive clothes, braided hair and gold jewelry. * Some readers might assume that Moses married "below himself" because his wife was a dark-skinned Cushite. Actually, Hebrews were the slave race, not the Cushites, who were highly respected. Aaron and Miriam probably thought Moses was being presumptuous by marrying "above himself." * Western individualism leads us to assume that Mary and Joseph traveled alone to Bethlehem. What went without saying was that they were likely accompanied by a large entourage of extended family.
Biblical scholars Brandon O'Brien and Randy Richards shed light on the ways that Western readers often misunderstand the cultural dynamics of the Bible. They identify nine key areas where modern Westerners have significantly different assumptions about what might be going on in a text. Drawing on their own crosscultural experience in global mission, O'Brien and Richards show how better self-awareness and understanding of cultural differences in language, time and social mores allow us to see the Bible in fresh and unexpected ways. Getting beyond our own cultural assumptions is increasingly important for being Christians in our interconnected and globalized world. Learn to read Scripture as a member of the global body of Christ.
Some books open our eyes. Some books blow our minds. This book does both!\\nAt first glance, I thought this was an exegesis book (how to interpret scripture). But this is actually a book on culture. Richards and O'Brien show us how our culture plays a major part in our interpretation of Scripture. \\nBy contrasting Western and Eastern cultures and thinking, the book shows how easily we misread the Bible. From the Western's emphasise on individualism, self-sufficiency, to how they see money, rules, and relationships - they all impact how we read Scripture. \\nMe being an Asian growing up and living in a Western world, I can see how both cultures impact our exegesis. This book gives some examples on how our cultural lens skews our readings of Scripture and it also gives us some advice on how to read the Bible more purely. \\nOn another personal note, Richards was a missionary in Indonesia. So he used a lot of Indonesian examples which I find very relatable and amusing. \\nThis is a must read for all bible teachers and preachers!
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
6 years ago
Essential Reading
Richards and O'Brien have written a very important book that every serious student of the Scripture ought to read. They very clearly and persuasively demonstrate how culture - e. g. race, ethnicity, individualism collectivism, honorshame, sense of time, rules and relationships, etc - deeply influences the way we read, interpret and apply the Scripture which in turn determines how we live what we believe to be the """"Christian"""" life. Having lived cross-culturally, Richards and O'Brien are aware of the cultural differences between East and West and they bring in many illustrations, some humorous, some deeply insightful, to demonstrate how the same passage or story or parable of Scripture can be read, interpreted and applied differently. Highly recommended!\\r\\n
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
7 years ago
Absorbing.
This is a great book to bring new life to your reading of scripture. Having lived cross-culturally for 45 years it also had me laughing. I am eager to learn more to help me relate to the middle eastern culture of the Bible.
