What is the Bible? (a cross cultural journey.)

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where it feels like you and the other person are reading from entirely different scripts? It happens, right? Misunderstandings sneak in when we try to bridge cultural gaps and navigate language differences. Think about it – do we sometimes approach the Bible in a similar way?
The Bible, crafted by ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek authors (mostly Israelites), carries unique cultural perspectives and assumptions. So, how can we align ourselves with their wavelength for a deeper understanding?
Let's acknowledge that reading the Bible is like embarking on a cross-cultural journey. We often get so used to modern translations that we forget it's essentially ancient Jewish literature. Translators work hard to convey the original meaning, but even with a translated text, interpreting it can still be a puzzle. Modern translations carry ancient cultural nuances about the cosmos, the world's origins, community, and traditions. How do we, as contemporary readers, make sense of it all?

Biblical authors had a unique worldview, rooted in a spiritual reality as the foundation for all material. (e.g., Gen. 1:2, 2:4-9, and Psalms 104).

They embraced a collectivist paradigm, viewing the individual as such an intricate part of the whole that one person has the power to affect generations of people—for better (e.g., Dan. 9:3-19, Isaiah 53:3-6) or for worse (Josh. 7:6-21, 2 Samuel 24:10-17).

Living in an honor-shame culture, they valued certain groups while sometimes exploiting others. (e.g., Exodus 1:8-14, Exodus 3:15)

To truly hear the Bible's message, we need to read the author's letters, poems, and stories within their literary and ancient cultural context, appreciating how Yahweh's laws challenged norms or Jesus' teachings flipped societal hierarchies. (e.g., Matthew 18:4, Luke 22:26, John 4:7-30, 1 Pet. 4:12-160)
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