Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes Patronage, Honor, and Shame in the Biblical World by E Randolph Richards

Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes Patronage, Honor, and Shame in the Biblical World by E Randolph Richards

The Bible was written within collectivist cultures. When Westerners, immersed in individualism, read the Bible, it's easy to misinterpret important elements--or miss them altogether. In any culture, the most important things usually go without being said. So to read Scripture well we benefit when we uncover the unspoken social structures and values of its world. We need to recalibrate our vision.

Combining the expertise of a biblical scholar and a missionary practitioner, Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes is an essential guidebook to the cultural background of the Bible and how it should inform our reading. E. Randolph Richards and Richard James explore deep social structures of the ancient Mediterranean--kinship, patronage, and brokerage--along with their key social tools--honor, shame, and boundaries--that the biblical authors lived in and lie below the surface of each text. From Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar to Peter's instructions to elders, theauthors strip away individualist assumptions and bring the world of the biblical writers to life.

Expanding on the popular Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, this book makes clear how understanding collectivism will help us better understand the Bible, which in turn will help us live more faithfully in an increasingly globalized world.

Richard James immersed himself in music as soon as he got his first real six-string at the age of ten. Previously chained to a desk for a living, he managed to escape and armed with a music degree from the Open University and a Licentiate Diploma in Classical Guitar from the Royal School of Music, now roams the East Midlands as a freelance guitarist and music teacher. He lives with his wife in Leicestershire, UK, and when not involved with music he enjoys travel, playing chess badly, and inventing new ways to tease his cats. This is his third book, following UFO On Track and Tom Petty On Track, both published in 2021.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780830852758
ISBN 10	0830852751
Title	Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes Patronage, Honor, and Shame in the Biblical World
Author	E Randolph Richards
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	IVP Academic
Year published	2020-10-13
Number of pages	304
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.