Get Free Shipping on orders over $79
Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes : Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible - E. Randolph Richards

Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes

Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible

By: E. Randolph Richards, Brandon J. O'Brien

Paperback | 4 November 2012

At a Glance

Paperback


$32.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $8.19 with

 or 

Ships in 5 to 7 business days

Over 100,000 Copies Sold Worldwide

Understand Scripture on Its Own Terms

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.

Industry Reviews

"Whether rules over relationships or correctness over community, respective Western and non-Western worldviews may differ on appropriate conduct, discretion, and exceptions. Randolph and O'Brien write with grace and clarity. Though evangelical, they steer clear of moral or political agendas and give no hint of anti-Western sentiments; they even suggest someone write a complementary sequel: Misreading Scripture with Eastern Eyes. Their extensive range of biblical and contemporary samples makes this an excellent resource for confessional Bible study contexts or an entry-level textbook in undergraduate courses on biblical interpretation."

More in Biblical Studies & Exegesis

The Book of Enoch - Enoch

$34.75

The Very First Bible - Marcion of Sinope

RRP $30.54

$25.75

16%
OFF
The Bible in 52 Weeks Workbook : A Yearlong Bible Study for Women - Rev. Brittini L. Palmer
Palestine : A Four Thousand Year History - Nur  Masalha
Seeing Jesus - Nancy Guthrie

Leather Bound Book

RRP $25.99

$10.00

62%
OFF
Jesus and the Essenes - Dolores Cannon

RRP $27.99

$24.99

11%
OFF
Journey With Me Through Christmas : An advent devotional - Catherine Campbell
Rose Handbook of Bible Charts, Maps, and Timelines - Rose Publishing