Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………1
Summary.........................................................................................................................................1
Analysis........................................................................................................................................... 2
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................4
Bibliography.……………………………………………………………………………..............6
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Introduction
The book titled, “Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing cultural Blinders
to Better Understand the Bible,” provided great information regarding presuppositions and
preunderstandings which influence the interpretation of scripture. As Christians, we struggle to
dig into the historical and cultural backgrounds when reading scripture. To understand scripture,
the reader cannot view the scripture through the modern lens. This essay will critique,
“Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing cultural Blinders to Better Understand the
Bible.” This essay will include a summary of the topic being addressed, and analyze and the
value of chapter two.
Summary
The authors provided stories that points out the cultural blinders that people never
realized. They mentioned that some books that speak on interpretation does not truly identify the
cultural blinders. So their focus was making sure readers interpret scripture correctly.
“Unfortunately, books on biblical interpretation often do not offer readers an opportunity to
identify and address our cultural blinders.”1 Their goal was to remind the reader when reading
scripture, they should be mindful of the cultural differences. “We will do that by helping you
become more aware of cultural differences that separate us from the foreign land of Scripture.”2
They challenged the western readers to approach scripture with the iceberg perspective.
Christians should believe that there is more to a culture to what we visually see like an
iceberg. The authors explained the three parts of the iceberg metaphor. “They discussed cultural
issues that are glaring and obvious, plainly visible above the surface and therefore least likely to
cause serious misunderstanding. Part two they discussed cultural issues that are less obvious and
1 E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien, Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural
Blinders to Better Understand the Bible (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2012), 15.
2 Ibid, 12
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in part three they addressed cultural issues that are not obvious at all.”3 Each chapter went over
several cultural issues and each of them utilized stories to address self-awareness for readers to
check their own presuppositions. Part one was quite hilarious regarding the five-year-old son
cursing. I can relate as to one of my daughters cursing in school when we didn’t teach her that
language either. The authors went over every perspective of western cultural blinders and the
hindrance it brings to biblical interpretation. Their hope was to “offer a positive corrective by
suggesting that there is a discernible pattern by which Western readers read—and even misread
—Scripture.”4 Most Christians pick up the Bible and begin reading it as a regular book. It is easy
to take scripture at face value. However, some scriptures can be taken at face value but others
need to go beyond what the scripture is saying before interpreting.
Analysis
Part two of this book regarding the iceberg stood out the most. It is this portion of the
study that where misunderstanding begins. The authors used their own experiences and
knowledge to point out presuppositions that could block their interpretation. Two chapters in part
two book that was illuminating were chapter 4&5. Chapter 4 explained the dangers of
individualism and Chapter 5 honor/shame and right/wrong. In the chapter 4, a person’s identity
comes from setting themselves apart from the others. They think different by being an
independent thinker. We can see this in today’s American culture. “A great example of the
individualist orientation of Westerners can be found in debates among students, parents and
educators over school uniforms.”5 Yes, this is done quite often today. Individualist do not need to
be in a group, they rather remain independent from groups.
3 Ibid, 16
4 Ibid, 16
5 Ibid, 96
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Regarding chapter 5, the authors began sharing a story about a husband who committed
adultery. Depending on which perspective it is viewed from he could have shamed his wife in
the eyes of a collectivist or is guilty in the eyes an individualist. Richards and O’Brien open and
concluded each chapter with a real-life story. This helps the reader see their points are seen in a
real-life circumstance. In the beginning of each chapter, they open up with a story and provided
details of what happen and in conclusion of the chapter they provide a deep look as to why
culture plays a huge part in the decisions of the person that every reader needs to be mindful of.
They also provide other real-life scenarios in the “questions to ponder” section of the chapters in
the book. The book flows from chapter to chapter covering various cultural blinders.
The reader can see the western presuppositions or preunderstandings as they explained
the cultural backgrounds of other countries. They were transparent about what they learned and
their own cultural blinders. Their experiences supported every argument in each chapter. Most of
their stories where their cultural blinders were removed happened in Indonesia. They’ve mention
other countries in the book but Indonesia however, seems to be where they gained most of their
experiences from. Perhaps their experiences was based on the length of time spent in that
country. I can relate to this because I too spent time in other countries. However, the country I
remember and impacted me the most was the country I spent the most time in. They included
thoughts from people of other cultures to help them break through those cultural barriers. Again,
their stories brought a clear understanding to the importance of removing cultural blinders.
Conclusion
Reading this book has placed emphasis on the importance of understanding other
cultures. As an interpreter of scripture, I am aware of making sure I dive below the water line of
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the iceberg and explore another world. In doing this, I will explore things in cultures that are not
said but are just done. The authors made it very clear to capture the unsaid and to be aware of
these dangers. “Another way to say this is that the most powerful cultural values are those that go
without being said. It is very hard to know what goes without being said in another culture. But
often we are not even aware of what goes without being said in our own culture. This is why
misunderstanding and misinterpretation happen. When a passage of Scripture appears to leave
out a piece of the puzzle because something went without being said, we instinctively fill in the
gap with a piece from our own culture—usually a piece that goes without being said. When we
miss what went without being said for them and substitute what goes without being said for us,
we are at risk of misreading Scripture.”6 I believe most Christians do not do this because it takes
a lot of time, and they want the scripture to make sense for today. We cannot not read the
scriptures from the western eye. We must take the time to travel in time by performing the
research. Without taking a stroll into time to understand the culture of the Jews or any other
people group that is mentioned in the bible, we risk the danger of Eisegesis which can lead to
heresy. We cannot be an individualist or collectivist because it locks readers in only viewing
from one perspective. I believe this book will help understand scripture and to whom it was
written. This book is valuable resource for anyone who wants to dig deeper in the scriptures.
This challenges the mind of any person to reconsider their thoughts of familiar passages with a
fresh set of lens. This book serves as a reminder of the importance of analyzing scripture to gain
deeper insights of scripture.
6 Ibid, 12
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