“Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis” by William J Webb, the second half

[joannebethel]

Here's the second half of the book review I read earlier this week that got me to thinking.  Thanks for weighing on yesterday's post.

What I realized is that I do contextualize scripture when I read it and study it, seeking to understand the full meaning of God's word for the original hearers (and readers) and for me today.  But how can I tell what'

Comments

good paper

[joannebethel]

That was a great link, thanks. I'm about halfway through the critique, and understand the basic cautions being presented.

I think in the one sense, some of these cautions are moot because we already do see a redemptive movement in scripture, and the Bible has already interacted with thousands of years of society, and the reality is, scripture has had a redemptive affect on society whenever Christians have abounded in influence.

I think we're seeing a sort of receding tide, now, of Christian influence on society, so we will be less able to see the affects of scripture on culture as we head into the near future.

But in any case, though I haven't read his book, Webb's claim that the Bible does endorse for example slavery is sound in that God allowed slavery in the same way He allowed divorce -- for the hardness of people's hearts. Therefore God regulated slavery and divorce through His word, but the ultimate ethic Jesus stated clearly in the matter of divorce: God does not approve it in any circumstance except sexual immorality (the literal Greek word translated adultery. God does not weigh in so pointedly on the issue of slavery.

Wayne Grudem says that Webb's hermeneutic will result in people seeing the redemptive ethic in completely different ways in scripture, and there will be much disagreement, since there will be no firm reading of the Bible's stance. But the truth is, this is the way things already are. There are thousands of denominations and sub-groups withing Christendom, Spirit-filled theologians who wildly disagree on interpretation of particular texts, and so on.

I'm interested in Webb's book too, though there is a whole line-up of books ahead of his sitting on my desk. I think it makes sense to proceed with caution. But he sure does have a compelling premise!