Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes

Patronage, Honor, and Shame in the Biblical World

By: E. Randolph Richards, Richard James

Narrated by: Tom Parks

The Bible was written within collectivist cultures. When Westerners, immersed in individualism, read the Bible, it's easy to misinterpret important elements - or miss them altogether. In any culture, the most important things usually go without being said. So to read Scripture well we benefit when we uncover the unspoken social structures and values of its world. We need to recalibrate our vision.

Combining the expertise of a biblical scholar and a missionary practitioner, Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes is an essential guidebook to the cultural background of the Bible and how it should inform our reading. E. Randolph Richards and Richard James explore deep social structures of the ancient Mediterranean - kinship, patronage, and brokerage - along with their key social tools - honor, shame, and boundaries - that the biblical authors lived in and lie below the surface of each text. From Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar to Peter's instructions to elders, the authors strip away individualist assumptions and bring the world of the biblical writers to life.

Expanding on the popular Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, this book makes clear how understanding collectivism will help us better understand the Bible, which in turn will help us live more faithfully in an increasingly globalized world.

©2020 E. Randolph Richards and Richard James (P)2020 eChristian

Fantastic Book

The first book was great but this one takes it to another level. Fantastic context everyone needs to build into their paradigm when studying the Bible.

Impact of cultural, conceptual, and linguistic differences

Use of different languages to break down concepts. Personal stories to illustrate points and highlight differences and similarities in customs and practices. Very enlightening and fascinating

I really enjoyed this book!

I really enjoyed this book! A good look at how we can miss things. Hopefully it will encourage you.

World Changing 

If I didn’t understand how much different world views and perspectives impact faith before, I certainly do now. I read Richard’s book miss reading scripture with Western eyes years ago, and this book is only further enhanced my desire to globalize my faith even more. Extremely grateful for their efforts.

Fascinating and World Changing

From the moment the book started, I was absolutely riveted to the fascinating storytelling as well as the excellent perspective given from the collectivist worldview. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with God and their understanding of his working through the Bible.

Fantastic insights, worth the listen!

Very interesting read, attempting to understand scripture as a modern western reading can lead you to miss so much! This work and the previous work have really opened my eyes to how little most western Christian’s know about scripture and the culture surrounding it and how much we “assume”. Whatever your perspective, denomination, beliefs i absolutely recommend this book if you seek better understanding/discernment of scripture and culture as a whole.

Much Needed!

Excellent and challenging work! A great complimentary work to the first book on the subject.

Hallelujah Yahshua The Glory of Abba Father

Thanking the Holy Spirit for this praise worthy book. This gave me a deeper understanding of the division and understanding we have been given a pathway and we are grafted as one in Jesus; I am praying unity for the Body of Christ #Giveusourharvest Thank You Father for Jesus that we may get ready as Your body on formation knee and tongue for Your return... Love you all so much and thank you for serving God with me. In the name of Yahshua Hamashiach Amen

Great book

I enjoy books that help me understand Biblical culture and this is one of the best. The book confirmed ideas I had on how Jesus is our Mediator and how our response is one of total commitment.

Being aware of culture

The authors explain and tell stories of how collectivist cultures were what the bible came out of. Those of us in the West are individualists which leads us to miss much of the meaning of the Bible.