Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes: Patronage, Honor, and Shame in the Biblical World

by E. Randolph Richards; Richard James

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 2020

Overview

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, the authors 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.

Key Features

• Combines biblical and missiological scholarship
• Provides an essential guidebook to the cultural background of the Bible
• Explores deep social structures of the ancient Mediterranean

Contents

Part One: Social Structures of the Biblical World

• Kinship: Being in a Family
• Kinship: Staying in a Family
• Patronage: Gifts had Strings Attached
• Patronage: The System and the Players
• Patronage: Grace, Faith and the Language of Patronage
• Brokerage in the Biblical World
• Brokerage in the Bible: Sometimes It Works (and Sometimes It Doesn’t)

Part Two: Social Tools for Maintaining Collectivist Values

• Having Honor
• Gaining Honor
• Honor Contests
• Having Shame
• Shaming Done Right (and Wrong)
• Having Boundaries
• Guarding Boundaries

Part Three: Why does Collectivism Really Matter to Me?

• Redeeming Kinship and Boundaries: Who are Our Family
• Redeeming Patronage and Brokerage
• Conclusion: Biblical Collectivism in My Individualist World: Me and We

Product Details

• Title: Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes: Patronage, Honor, and Shame in the Biblical World
• Authors: E. Randolph Richards, Richard James
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2020
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Pages: 291
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible › Social scientific criticism; Civilization, Ancient; Mediterranean Region › Civilization; Mediterranean Region › Social conditions
• ISBNs: 9780830843794, 9780830852758
• Resource ID: LLS:MSRDNGSCRPTRNYS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-03T07:24:00Z

Benefits of Logos Edition

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.