Within the field of theology, exegesis is where the interpreter extracts meaning from the biblical text in light of its literary and cultural-historical contexts. This is good. The opposite is eisegesis, which is where the interpreter imbues the text with a meaning foreign to its original contexts. This is bad. For instance, in Matthew 6 Jesus says you cannot serve both God and … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Syncs the Rigorous Study of Theology and Culture
Cultural-historical context
Beatnik Christian Professes the Church-State “Heresies” of Roger Williams
It's become a folk wisdom among American Christians that people are simply a product of their time and place. For instance, Southern slave owners shouldn't be judged too harshly because that was the world in which they lived. It's unfortunate, but they didn't know any better. The implicit belief here is one of cultural and psychological determinism. We're products of our … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christian Professes the Church-State “Heresies” of Roger Williams
Beatnik Christianity Doesn’t Kick People When They’re Down with Divorce
It's often been said that nobody shoots their wounded like Christians. In no area is that more true than divorce. Yup, I can personally vouch for that. I could've easily cranked out a seminary paper on the biblical doctrine of grace before my legal divorce and ecclesiastical annulment, but this understanding was theoretical. It wasn't until I experienced the juxtaposition … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Doesn’t Kick People When They’re Down with Divorce
Beatnik Christianity Reboots Expectations to Christocentric Marital and Sexual Ethics
Christian culture teaches Jesus followers to have painfully misguided expectations when they engage the biblical text. Christians seem to believe the Bible is written to all people and not for all people. They think it's exhaustive in answering all of our important questions. They presume everything they read is supposed to be prescriptive instead of largely descriptive. They … [Read more...] about Beatnik Christianity Reboots Expectations to Christocentric Marital and Sexual Ethics
