{"product_id":"misreading-scripture-with-western-eyes-removing-cultural-blinders-to-better-understand-the-bible-e-randolph-richards-paperback","title":"Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible -- E. Randolph Richards, Paperback","description":"\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOver 150,000 Copies Sold Worldwide! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnderstand Scripture on Its Own Terms \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat 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: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen 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. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs Westerners, we tend to give much attention to avoiding vices and not much to developing virtues. We tend to think that virtuous acts are spontaneous. But what went without saying in Paul's day was that it is not enough to remove vices; you must acquire virtues to replace them with, just like changing clothes (Col. 3:12). \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWestern 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. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiblical 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing 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. Learn to read Scripture as a member of the global body of Christ with \u003ci\u003eMisreading Scripture with Western Eyes\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e E. Randolph Richards\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e IVP\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11\/4\/2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 240\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.75 lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.25\" H x 5.56\" L x 0.65\" W\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9780830837823\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damascus Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42385301799006,"sku":"9780830837823","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0634\/7584\/3166\/files\/9780830837823_fcc7e273-e438-451f-bebf-f6457012ffaf.jpg?v=1778532023","url":"https:\/\/damascusroad.one\/products\/misreading-scripture-with-western-eyes-removing-cultural-blinders-to-better-understand-the-bible-e-randolph-richards-paperback","provider":"Damascus Road","version":"1.0","type":"link"}