In their book, “Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible”, E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien observe, “There is a discernible pattern by which Western readers read-and even misread-Scripture.” For example, “Our cultural mores tell us sexual modesty is necessary while economic modesty is considerate: preferable but not necessary.” I find it fascinative to watch how “figurative” the Biblical literalists get when one suggests economic misbehaviour could be as indictive of unorthodox Christianity as sexual misbehaviour.
Curious Christian
Reflections on culture, nature, and spirituality from a Christian perspective
One response to “Misreading Scripture With Western Eyes: When Modesty Isn’t What We Think It Is”
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I think there is little doubt, one of the firm messages of the Bible is that God’s gifts — ALL God’s gifts are intended to be shared. If you think about that from a cosmic perspective that means EVERYTHING. Everything is either a direct gift from God (sunshine, rain, gravity) or is a direct product of gifts from God (things we make with our strength, creativity or wisdom). Though this flies in the face of ‘I bought it, it’s mine to do what I want with it’ this is God’s law (at least according to Christian values). We’re supposed to share everything to care for the needs of others. So, the current U.S. wealth gap is more than a problem. It’s immoral and sinful. Sorry about that.
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