About this episode

The episode explores how Western individualistic perspectives can limit the understanding of the Bible's Eastern collectivist cultural context.

How does our Western/individualistic perspective limit our understanding of the Bible that was written from an Eastern/collectivist perspective? Discover some cultural norms left unsaid in Scripture. Receive As we read Scripture through the lens of our Western culture, this week’s guest, Randy Richards, reminds us that we may miss or misread some key values embedded in the Ancient Near Eastern culture the Bible was written in. Our Western individualist culture values “me” over “we,” but the Eastern collectivist culture that the Bible was set in values kinship, patronage, and brokerage that emphasize the family or group dynamic rather than an individual. Understanding the ancient Mediterranean culture that serves as the backdrop for the Bible can add rich context that can shed a whole new light on some passages of Scripture. How can discovering the cultural context of the Bible help you better understand and apply Scripture to your life? What could your next step toward learning more about the cultural context of the Old and New Testament look like? Reflect What can you learn about the family dynamics between Joseph and his father and brothers by reading Genesis 37 through the…

People in this episode

Guest: Randy Richards

Topics covered

• cultural context of the Bible
• Eastern vs Western perspectives
• kinship and family dynamics
• patronage and brokerage
• understanding Scripture

Keywords

• Bible
• cultural norms
• Eastern culture
• Western culture
• kinship
• patronage
• brokerage
• Scripture
• family dynamics

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Genesis 37, Ephesians 2:8, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 2:1

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