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

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Illuminating

I appreciate the many excellent examples that help explain how scripture is both more complex and more interesting than it might first appear reading through Western eyes.

Paradigm Shifting!

This book challenged my thinking in so many ways! Well written and presented I plan to listen again AND get a print version! The information in this book is presented clearly and with scriptural foundation. I am recommending this book to everyone for clarity in how we read scripture!

Not at all what you think. Not at all helpful for Christian Faith

while we'll read, I hated this book. I gave it all I could to finish it, but couldn't. I stoped 2/3rds through the book and could stomach ot any longer. I was hoping for a book that shared a Biblical view point. maybe the culture of the Jewish people/ early Christians to get a better understanding of scripture. it's all about other cultures and other religions. it basically puts us down in America and says we are all wrong... maybe we should be more like the Hindu's, ancient Greeks or other " open minded" popular thinking. it is not helpful at all and I wished I didn't spend my money supporting this propaganda!

beware

Did God Really Say? This should be enough to expect I thought of this book.