THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE Part 4

Views of Those Outside North America and Europe

While this focus has not received as much attention as other characteristics, it fits with the TIOS desire for multiple perspectives.  As I look at the commentaries and books on my shelf, very few stray from my cultural context. It is good for us as evangelicals to learn how others outside our culture are reading the Bible in order to see the blind spots in our own thinking.

Community

The rejection of “lone ranger” exegesis in favor of community exegesis is an important aspect for many in TIOS. TIOS sees one of its main goals as giving the Bible back to the church, a goal with which evangelicals should be in hearty agreement. While some measure of individualism is important in the Christian worldview, Americans are very unbalanced in this area. We need to read the Scriptures not only alone in our studies but also together: with others in the academy and others in the church. Perhaps pastors could have a mid-week Bible study based on the text for the following Sunday sermon, which would not only allow discussion but also give more ownership to the people of the church. Professors should be active in local churches, both to keep them in the real world and to bless the church with what they have learned.

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