Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, by Richards & O'Brien
- Author: E. Randolph Richards
- Author: Brandon J. O'Brien
SKU: 2692333
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.
Biblical scholars Brandon O'Brien and Randy Richards shed light on the ways that Western readers often misunderstand the cultural dynamics of the Bible in Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible. They identify nine key areas where modern Westerners have significantly different assumptions about what might be going on in a text.
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.
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