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Cokesbury

Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes

Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible
  • By E. Randolph Richards, Brandon J. O''Brien
Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible
  • By E. Randolph Richards, Brandon J. O''Brien
$16.79
($22.00)
$21.99
Product Description

Over 100,000 Copies Sold Worldwide!
ECPA Bronze Sales Award
Bookwi.se's Favorite Books of the Year

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.

Over 100,000 Copies Sold Worldwide!
ECPA Bronze Sales Award
Bookwi.se's Favorite Books of the Year

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.

  •   Paperback ($16.79)
  •   eBook ($21.99)
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  • Additional Details
  • Additional Details
    Product Specs
    • SKU: 9780830837823
    • Manufacturer: Inter Varsity Pr
    • ISBN 13: 9780830837823
    • Language of Text: English
    • Publication Date: 11/04/2012
    • Format: Paperback
    • Author: E. Randolph Richards
    • Author: Brandon J. O''Brien
    • Page Count: 224
    • Width: 5.50 inches
    • Height: 0.80 inches
    • Length: 8.20 inches
    • Weight: 0.05 pounds
    • SKU: 9780830863471
    • Manufacturer: Inter Varsity Pr
    • ISBN 13: 9780830863471
    • Publication Date: 11/04/2012
    • Format: Electronic Media
    • Author: E. Randolph Richards
    • Author: Brandon J. O''Brien
    • Width: 1.00 inches
    • Height: 1.00 inches
    • Length: 1.00 inches
    • Weight: 0.06 pounds
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    This item is not available for return. Cokesbury uses a variety of methods for ground shipping. At your request, we can also expedite order shipments for an additional charge. Cokesbury partners with UPS for these expedited deliveries.