PDF-(READ)-Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand

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 exampleWhen 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 modestythat Christian women not flaunt their wealth through expensive clothes braided hair and gold jewelrySome readers might assume that Moses married below himself because his wife was a darkskinned 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 himselfWestern 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 familyBiblical scholars Brandon OBrien 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 OBrien and Richards show how better selfawareness 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. the Bible. UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES. ANTICIPATORY SET .  . Review. pages 226–228 of the textbook and . recall. details of the story of Jonah. .  . Review the . Guided Exercise . about Jonah as literal history or a kind of parable that teaches a deeper meaning (p. 228). . Theology . I. Session II. The Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture. We are all systematic . theologians. Systematic theology is all about God's . grace. to us.. Introduction. Psalm 19:1-2, 4 – The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. . . Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. Verbal Plenary Theory. Every . word in the Bible is exactly the word that the Divine Author intended. (the . Holy Spirit) and exactly the word that the human author intended. .. Compatibilist View. Bible Study Guide. Lesson 1. “God Speaks”. INTRODUCTION. To hear from God; to know what God’s will is for our lives is a privilege that many in this world are longing for. If they could only hear His voice and know what He has to say, it would bring them peace of mind. I hear of God speaking to men and women in the past, but, does He still speak today? How can I hear His voice?. Part 6,. . The C. onclusion. Over the course of five previous lessons, we’ve attempted to provide some keys on . “How to Understand the Bible.” . In this sixth and final lesson on this topic, let’s see if we can add just a couple more basic “helps” and wrap up the series.. . What we say is…. God is wrong! . He does not understand human nature and childhood development! . Thus…. . His instructions must not be heeded on this subject! . I. What The Bible Says About Itself. . Wayne Grudem. Chapter 6: . The Four Characteristics of Scripture. . (2) Clarity. Can only Bible scholars understand the Bible rightly?. A. The Bible Frequently Affirms Its Own Clarity. Deut 6:7: . Inspiration, Inerrancy, Infallibility, Clarity, Sufficiency, And Necessity. Introduction. Authority and Inspiration of Scripture are directly tied together . . If the Scriptures are not inspired, then we have no reason to trust the Scriptures. . The Land of the Bible. The Story of the Bible – Old Testament. The Story of the Bible – New Testament . The Message of the Bible . 6. . The Authority of the Bible. Three definitions. The . Word of God?. Greatest . Hoax. Ever?. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training for righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”. The term “canon” has its origin in a family of Semitic words that referred to a reed or a rod. . In ancient times a straight rod might be marked for the purpose of measuring. . The word came to refer to a series of marks used for measurement. . Thursday, January 3, 2013. © 1/3/2013, Jeffrey Bame – Content of this presentation may not be used without explicit permission. . “The Word of God: Interpreting Scripture and Tradition”. Cornerstone document: . EXCURSUS: . How to read the Bible . and understand it. Holy Trinity. Anglican Church. Fernandina Beach, Florida. Excursus #5. How to Read the Bible and understand it.. In the past three weeks I have had a number of parishioners ask for clarification on how to read the Bible. Therefore, today we will take a brief refresher course on how the Bible is to be read.. The Bible was written within collectivist cultures. When Westerners, immersed in individualism, read the Bible, it\'s easy to misinterpret important elements--or miss them altogether. In any culture, the most important things usually go without being said. So to read Scripture well we benefit when we uncover the unspoken social structures and values of its world. We need to recalibrate our vision. Combining the expertise of a biblical scholar and a missionary practitioner, Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes is an essential guidebook to the cultural background of the Bible and how it should inform our reading. E. Randolph Richards and Richard James explore deep social structures of the ancient Mediterranean--kinship, patronage, and brokerage--along with their key social tools--honor, shame, and boundaries--that the biblical authors lived in and lie below the surface of each text. From Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar to Peter\'s instructions to elders, the authors strip away individualist assumptions and bring the world of the biblical writers to life. Expanding on the popular Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, this book makes clear how understanding collectivism will help us better understand the Bible, which in turn will help us live more faithfully in an increasingly globalized world.