Interpreting Scripture across Cultures: An Introduction to Cross-Cultural Hermeneutics
Ebook
The refugee that has come to your church, the pastor of the immigrant church in your town, and you yourself all come before the same Bible, even the same verse, and walk away with completely different understandings and applications. In an increasingly globalized and multicultural world, how can we learn to see beyond our own cultural influences, understand those of others, and learn from each other in order to better understand and apply the word of God? How do we stay faithful to the text when our contemporary cultural perspective is so different from the original author's? This book will enable you to understand the common pitfalls and dangers related to cross-cultural hermeneutics while also equipping you with principles and real-life examples for how to interpret Scripture in such situations. Additionally, given the fact that our world is increasingly digitized and people are less and less likely to read, we will consider the issue of oral hermeneutics and how those who can't read or choose not to read can interpret Scripture faithfully.
“What happens when people from two different cultural contexts
attempt to interpret the Bible together? This is the question Will
Brooks sets out to answer in his thoughtful book. He leads the
reader on an enlightening review of models for biblical
interpretation in missiological history and from contemporary
conversation. Brooks also provides his own approach—one that is
oriented toward the biblical authors and attentive to perspectives
from cultures not one’s own. Accessible and insightful at every
turn.”
—Jeannine Brown, Bethel Seminary
“Interpreting Scripture across Cultures is a helpful
corrective to what has come to be the ‘sole defining metric of
church health’—namely, self-propagation. Alternatively, Will Brooks
argues that healthy biblical interpretation is more fundamental to
church health. Yet what makes this volume even more compelling is
Brooks’s experience and expertise in interpreting Scripture in
missiological contexts. His insights are sure to have a significant
impact in a Western cultural context that is becoming increasingly
diverse.”
—Jacob M. Pratt, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Highly recommended and helpful resource for those who want to
teach faithfully God’s word in cross-cultural contexts. In this
informative, irenic, and accessible book, Brooks clearly yet
non-polemically highlights pivotal hermeneutical principles. A
great reading for students in college and seminary as well as for
those preparing for cross-cultural ministry.”
—Mikko Sivonen, Agricola Theological Seminary
“This is a rapidly changing world with many uncertainties. The
context of our living is changing, but the text of the Scriptures
remains unchanged. How can we keep the message right and sharp
while adding to the various methods of communication in this
complex world? Dr. Brooks is . . . one of the best people
to attend to this challenge. His new book is definitely one that
you will not want to miss!”
—John Ong, Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary
Will Brooks has a PhD from Southern Seminary and teaches
missions and New Testament interpretation at two seminaries in
Asia. At one of those seminaries, he serves as the associate
provost and director of the DMiss and intercultural studies
programs. He is also the author of Love Lost for the Cause of
Christ and the coeditor of World Mission.