Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes

Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible

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

Narrated by: Tom Parks

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. By the same token, 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 cross-cultural 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.

©2012 E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O'Brien (P)2023 Tantor

Really challenges the status quo!

Love the questions this provokes and the broader perspective this encourages! The Bible is absolutely live and active… to all times and all cultures!

lots to think about

in my Western mind, I wanted more how to fix it, but loved the way it challenged me to think beyond my upbringing and culture.

A mazing

Añ eye-openingg book with many thôught-provoking insights. I will use it în several ads Bible study groups.

A Must Read

I really appreciated this book. It really helped me to begin to take off blinders that I suspected were there. I will definitely reread this book and will purchase a hard copy. I will require this book as a prerequisite reading for participants in upcoming Bible studies that I lead.

All

I learned so much reading/listening to this book. Makes me stop and reevaluate how I read the Bible.